Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Software Information

 
Electronic Medical Record software is available in many shapes and sizes. A complete spectrum of company sizes range from small, “mom and pop shops”, to large multi-billion dollar corporations. The pressing needs in this new but burgeoning industry have resulted in rapid growth of many companies in a brief period of time.

There are individual specialty specific programs as well as complete primary care programs with multispecialty content and many options in-between. Depending on your practice or Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) goals and growth plans, you should determine the type of software that best fits your needs. But, the large number of programs available often makes it difficult to know which is best for any individual practice situation.

While most practices and ASC's already have a Practice Management System for such necessities as patient appointment making, billing and other administrative activities there is still only minimal penetration of the EMR into the average physicians practice and ASC. When installing an EMR, there is no reason to eliminate your current Practice Management system, unless you are unhappy with it. Generally the EMR you choose can be integrated seamlessly with not only your practice management system, but also with the labs you use and the hospitals where you practice.

However, integration of these often disparate programs is a key component to choosing an EMR. The future of the Healthcare Information Technology industry is growing every year and ensuring you purchase an EMR that is not only upgradeable but also capable of integrating with whatever the future holds is vital.

It is also essential to understand that software is constantly upgraded with new features added frequently. Some software companies include upgrades as part of the purchase price, while others charge an annual fee. Fees that may or may not be included in the purchase price include down time procedures (see glossary), user education and availability of a help desk to answer questions or correct bugs in the system.

There are many other variables in the myriad of products available to you.  It is always wise to seek advice and support from knowledgeable companies who are “vendor neutral” and working for you to help with a project that, even for the smallest installation, can be expensive. To purchase an inappropriate system would be unfortunate.

 
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