EHR Success Stories

Georgia neurologist Mark Harris, MD, states, "Almost a year after we began to go paperless, my staff and I cannot imagine going back to our old, cumbersome, paper-based system."

Benefits:

In the spring of 2006, I reluctantly began to face the inevitable: it was time to go paperless. After 19 years in practice, I was moving to a new office; the timing would never be better to make the transition to a state-of-the-art electronic office.

After countless hours spent researching my options, I identified system features I deemed essential and compiled a "wish list." Some of the features I would insist on having included:

• Automated E/M coding based on clinical documentation, including integration with the single-system neurology exam
• Easily customizable template-driven clinical charting
• Integration with lab and radiology orders and results
• Auto referral tracking
• Customizable patient ed materials in multiple languages
• Ability to quickly and easily scan in documents
• Clinical messaging between physician and staff
• Recording and tracking of telephone messages
• Electronic prescription refills
• Order tracking and alerting if result not completed within specific time period
• Recording and tracking for outcomes measurement
• Access anywhere, at anytime, on any device

The six months I spent doing research and an in-depth needs analysis that included our system requirements, office relocation schedule and budget limitations proved invaluable. Involving my staff in selecting our system, as well as in determining our training and implementation schedules, resulted in their buy-in and led to our subsequent success. Several of my staff joined me for a full day of scheduled vendor presentations.

Working closely with e-MDs management and their technical support staff, we devised a customized implementation schedule, opting for a phased, gradual transition. Working at a pace designed not to overwhelm our staff, we implemented the PM system first, followed several weeks later by the addition of the EMR side of the system. Also, by only scanning in selected paper chart documents when existing patients came for appointments, we eliminated the huge, costly project of scanning all our old charts into the new system.

The many benefits I've identified include:

• Using a portable tablet gives me constant access to patient charts
• Improved coding and documentation results in increased billable charges and fewer claim denials
• Reducing administrative expenses for paper, copying, chart supplies, transcription, postage and more improves our bottom line
• Increased productivity allows us to see more new patients with no decrease in our effectiveness
• Quicker turnaround on prescription refills, notifying patients of test results, medical records requests and notes provided to referring physicians reduces the number of phone calls we receive
• Faster payments of accounts receivable improves our cash flow