I just looked at a website of an EMR consultant who posted this blog entry on his Top 10 Electronic Medical Record Software Features for every Physician. This is what he came up with. Take a look.
1) A fully Integrated EMR Software System as opposed to interfaced systems
2) Integration of EMR Software with ePrescription to receive bonus payments
3) Electronic Medical Record Software that supports PQRI Automation
4) Electronic Medical Software with adaptive learning
5) Secure Portability and access to your electronic medical records even without an internet connection
6) Integrated patient portal – Keeping more in-touch with your patients
7) Electronic Medical Record Software that does not box you into rigid templates
8) Document and Image Management
9) Integrated with voice recognition and handwriting recognition
10) Meets all regulatory and compliance requirements (http://www.revenuexl.com/)
My Top Twelve list would go like this:
First of all the EMR has to be: Easy to Use, Simple to Learn, Affordable and it has to make Providers more productive. Without this functionality, none of the other stuff matters!
1. Can document a progress note quickly and efficiently
2. Can ePrescribe
3. Can access medical record information quickly using document management system (lab results, test reports, consultation and hospital reports)
4. Can track Health Maintenance, Chronic Problem Information and Orders
5. Can generate reports for Quality Improvement and Incentive Programs
6. Can connect to other systems via CCD or CCR
7. Allows flexible documentation via typing, dictating, writing and scanning, and drop down menus, templates and pick lists
8. Patient Portal would be nice
9. Interfaces with Scheduling, Billing and Messaging quickly and seamlessly
10. Keeps Patient Medical History Information Stored and Accessible (Allergies, Medications, Past Medical History, Past Surgical History, Habits, Family History and Social History)
11. Quick and Simple ICD-9 and CPT Coding Support
12. Quick and Effective E&M Coding Support
What do you think? Did I miss anything? Is my list better or worse than the list from the EMR Consultant?
I think that if you read the blog which you reviewed, that list is definitely more useful. It goes beyond the obvious things that you mention in your list – like – document the progress note quickly and efficiently, track health maintenance, chronic problem information, E&M Coding support, etc. These are all more or less given features incorporated in ALL the EMRs. The Top 10 Electronic
Medical Record Software feature list posted on http://www.revenuexl.com goes beyond the obvious.You have mentioned interfaces with billing and in my experience any interface is bound to be clunky and hence my preference is to go in for an integrated solution as far as possible.
Hi Mark,
I guess my point is that most systems DO NOT do what is obvious! My list might seem obvious, but many providers go for systems which “seem” to have all the bells and whistles, but DO NOT work well. For example, they are difficult to use and they slow you down.
My list goes to “meaningful use” and this “meaningful use” has to be done quickly and efficiently.
Sometimes the obvious is not so obvious! Sometimes what you ASSUME is there because it is obvious, is not REALLY there at all!
Perhaps we need at top 24 List!
I like Dr. Jeff’s reply. I find the first list to be geared towards a certain product. Not how a practice can use the system. Mark, Which product have you seen that you like so well?
I am not sure if there is any one product that has all the features that are listed by Dr Jeff and / or RevenueXL. Whenever a customer selects a particular product, it is all about what his end goals are and how much can they be achieved by implementing that product. In the over 20 years of my experience, it is always the 80-20 rule. Does the solution meet 80% of my requirements and does it provide me with a way to possibly meet the other 20% in the near future. By the way, I would be keen to know the name of the product that you seem to be alluding to. May be, I can use that knowledge in my professional assignments.
I think if you make your list of what you want your EMR to do, you need to put the most important things at the top and make sure you get your most important functionality. You may not get it all, but you need to get “enough” and maybe you can “work around” the minor stuff.
At this time, I believe there are EMRs that give me almost everything that I want. Speed, Functionality, Productivity, etc. I would not settle for just any EMR. There are some really good ones out there that will help you be more productive and help you take better care of your patients.
The list which was given by you is good. It is better if you should have given detailed information regarding each n every list which was mentioned in the article.
I just read my list and then read the list from the EMR consultant. I read my list first and then their list second. This made lots of sense. We had some overlap, but once my list was satisfied, I liked their additions. Their list alone, I felt was inadequate and “missed the mark”.
Give this a try. Read my list first and then read their list. I think if you do this, you will have a pretty good idea of what you need in your EMR Software System.
The first 10 point list looks like it was written by a vendor!
The second one is a lot better.
This is a comprehensive list, however government certification status should now be at the top. For chiropractic software systems, e prescribing is not necessary however graphically driven interface is very important..