101 Tips to Make Your EMR and EHR More Useful – EHR Tips 1-5

101 Tips to Make Your EMR and EHR More Useful – EHR Tips 1-5

Written by: John (from http://www.emrandehr.com/)

Time for the next entry covering Shawn Riley’s list of 101 Tips to Make your EMR and EHR More Useful. I can’t believe that this is the last post in the series. I think it’s been a good series chalk full of good tips for those looking at implementing an EHR in their office. I’d love to hear what people thought and if they’d like me to do more series like this one. Now for the final 5 EMR tips.

5. Automatic trending helps all over the place – A picture is worth a thousand words and this is never more true than when we’re talking about trending. Make sure your EHR software can quickly take a set of results and/or data points and graph them over time.

4. Keep training over and over – Are you ever done learning software? The answer for those using an EMR is no. Part of this has to do with the vast volume of options that are available in EMR software. However, the training doesn’t necessarily have to come from formal training sessions. Much of the training can also come by facilitating interaction and discussion about how your users use the software. By talking to each other, they can often learn from their peers better ways to use the software.

3. Infrastructure is key to performance – I love when people say “My EMR is Slow” cause it’s such a general statement that could have so many possible meanings. Regardless of the cause of slowness, the EMR is going to get the blame. For those wanting to dig in to the EMR slowness issue, you can read my pretty comprehensive post about causes of EMR slowness. I think you’ll also enjoy some of the responses to that EMR slowness post.

Infrastructure really matters when someone is using an EMR all day every day. There’s no better way to kill someone’s desire to use an EMR than to have it be slow (regardless of who’s responsible).

2. Quit pulling charts as soon as possible – I think this tip should be done with some caution. In certain specialties the past chart history matters much more than in others. Although, it’s worth carefully considering how often you really look through the past paper chart in a visit. You might be surprised how rare it is that you really need the past paper chart. If that’s the case, consider only pulling the chart when it’s needed. If you only find yourself looking through the past paper chart for 2 or 3 key items, then just have someone get those 2 or 3 items put into the EMR ahead of time. Then, it will save you having to switch back and forth. Plus, then it’s there for the next time the patient visits.

1. Crap process + Technology = Fast Crap – Perfect way to end 101 EMR and EHR Tips! I like to describe technology as the great magnifier. The challenge is that it will magnify both the good and bad elements of your processes. Fix the process before you apply the technology.

If you want to see my analysis of the other 101 EMR and EHR tips, you can find them all at the following link: 101 EMR and EHR tips analysis.

Tips for Effective EMR Implementation

From Health & Medical News (Republished from the CanadianEMR Newsletter March 9, 2011)

Once you have selected an EMR, signed your contract with the vendor, applied for funding according to provincial protocols (if you qualify), and scheduled a date to implement the system, the real hard work begins. Implementation can be a smooth and streamlined process if you are well prepared or it can be disruptive and difficult. Preparation and attention to detail are the keys to success. The following are some tips to consider when implementing your EMR that should help you through the process:

• Develop a six-month timeline until you go live and stick to it.
• Communication is the key to success within your practice amongst physicians and staff.
• Make sure you clearly understand your data transfer processes. These will vary depending on whether you are converting from paper to an EMR or transitioning from one EMR to another. Ensure that your vendor is well versed in these processes and ask for them to be explained to you.
• Physician buy-in is CRITICAL. This is an all or none situation. If physicians are not fully bought into the process prior to implementation, make sure you resolve any issues before the disruption of implementation begins.
• Staff buy-in is also critical, particularly if there will be a change of workflow and job functions.
• Recognize that there is significant variation in computer skills of staff and physicians and understand how you are going to improve skills for those individuals.
• Identify who is going to provide technical support for your practice. Is this an internal skill set or do you need someone in your local community?
• Set up custom lists for meds, referrals, templates, and diagnostic codes.
• Understand how to set up common workflows in your EMR, e.g. front office (registration & check-in, halls), patient ready, encounter finished, and scanning and document management.
• Identify user groups in your community (if there are any).
• Plan implementation around a slow time of year.
• Don’t go live on a Monday.
• Appoint “Super Users” and start their training well in advance of go-live date.
• Reduce physician schedules by 50% for the first 2 weeks and then by +/- 25% for the next 4–8 weeks.
• Practice, practice, practice!