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I got the following email from an EMR vendor talking about a simple feature in their EMR that really adds value to their end users. The feature revolves around making the ICD-9 billing codes into something useful beyond billing. Here’s his message:

I was talking with one of my pediatrician docs the other day and she was saying how un-useful ICD-9 is for her. As part of her note in the EMR she has to code things saying otitis media. But, the important thing to her is saying “3rd ear inf. in 2mo”. It is this brief summary note that she includes in what we call an “interim” field in our EMR. That is what she looks for to get her “ah-ha” in working with kids. Looking down a list of previous visits which show date of service and primary dx takes mental work and analysis. But, being able to see this brief note on the next visit is what makes her do her job better – more meaningful shall we say?

These are the things that make EMRs great.

If you have other useful features that make your EMR great, feel free to submit them on my Contact Us page and I’ll post them in the future.

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2. Top 12 Electronic Medical Record Software Features
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4. HIPAA Breaches Related to EMR
5. Simple and Effective EMRs will Solve So Many Problems