Electronic Health Records and Small Practices

Healthcare had been facing multiple challenges with increased costs, work pressures and displeased patients and providers. With this increased burden, IT has become an essential managing tool for the healthcare department. Though multiple hospitals and small practices are adopting EHR (Electronic Health Record) but still the rate of adopting the technology is very slow especially in case of small practices and solo providers.

A report on the “adoption gap” claims that less than 11.3 percent of the small physician offices have fully implemented EHR systems whereas 88 percent of all medical offices are small practices. As per a survey report, one of the reasons of resistance in implementation of Electronic Health Record is a multiple typed work flow and physicians lack of management with it. They already feel themselves pressurized with work and take EHR as another hurdle or an additional pressure in the daily tasks.

As per our conversations with multiple doctors, we concluded; doctors does appreciate the neat and tidy work with an EHR, but they consider and take it as if they have assumed the role of a typist and are no longer in contact with their patients. Whereas on the other hand, it is equally as how we perceive things?

Generally working with an EHR, reduces multiple work pressures like, no prescription handling, no wastage of time in finding patient record, data and patients charts are available with few clicks, ease in patient communication with the use of PHR (Patient Health Record) etc. It is simply mastering the skill that can be gained with little familiarity with computers. 

Besides that, the EHR vendors are always helpful in making providers understand the system, the support team is available during working hours, and therefore, it just requires acquiring the right skill. Once the expertise is attained, the quality of work can be maintained simply.

Another concern being noticed is that, providers are desirous of an EHR (Electronic Health Record) that can be used to increase efficiency, save time and effectively communicate in the record. Here the responsibility lies on vendors to provide time efficient systems and communicate the right knowledge to right people effectively so that maximum people could take advantage of. The time conserving EHR have been introduced by multiple EHR vendors like MyDoctorsChart, a Drummond Certified EHR. The System works more effectively, taking less upload time, making a doctors life much simpler.

Secondly, following web based system is more effective reducing the burden of downloading the software and managing multiple technical issues etc. A web based system requires internet and a browser to run an EHR securely, whereas, support for technical issues regarding EHR can be managed remotely by the EHR vendor. There’s no need to worry about installing software, managing updates and maintaining the hardware.

The providers are not restricted to be in the same state as of the vendor with web based system, and the software can be accessed anywhere anytime securely with the use of login ID and password. This saves the provider from hiring any technical staff for the office.

Therefore, it is more economical for the providers to get started with a web based electronic health records. The work flow can simply be divided between front desk for scheduling and appointments, and the rest with Nurse Practitioner and the provider for a small practice. CMS is equally supporting economically by offering its incentive programs and there are multiple doctors who have received their first incentive payment by now.