In our role as software advisors, we talk to a wide range of physicians and their staff to help them determine which EMR software is right for their practice. One things is clear: while most every practice understands that they need to move toward an EMR and ‘go paperless,’ few have a well-defined idea of what a full-featured EMR can do and how it can benefit them beyond eliminating paper charts. This leaves buyers at a disadvantage as they start their EMR selection process. 

We suggest that buyers engage in some initial demonstrations with software vendors to better understand the available capabilities and options in an EMR. Here are some products to get you started.

ChartLogic EMR ChartLogic EMR is driven by speech recognition software. A demo of this product will show how accurate speech recognition technology has become.

Greenway PrimeSuite has extensive workflow and clinical content for a wide range of specialties. A demo will help you understand how an EMR can be adapted to your specialty.

iMedica PRM is an integrated EMR and practice management solution, built upon Microsoft .NET, which offers a robust single application for clinical and financial functions.

Practice Partner EMR provides practices of all sizes and specialties with a digital solution to replace their paper charts. Built by McKesson, Practice Partner is CCHIT Certified.

OfficeEMR is one of the leading web-based EMRs. We recommend buyers check this product out to understand just how far the web-based EMR model has come.

Sevocity EHR is an application service provider (ASP) solution that provides secure, on-demand access to clinical information via the Internet.

EMR capabilities you may have overlooked
Many of the physicians and staff with whom we speak view EMRs as an electronic replacement for paper charts. True. However, EMRs offer far more than a new way to chart. Here are some examples of EMR capabilities of which you may not be aware:

• E&M coding advice during encounters - ensure proper documentation for claims;
• electronic prescribing and formulary - prescribe faster and safer in the EMR;
• pay-for-performance tracking - collect all required documentation for P4P programs;
• bi-directional laboratory integration - order tests and view results in the EMR; and,
• device integration that feeds test results into the EMR automatically.

Questions to consider
To provide a high-level framework for the EMR selection process, we suggest that any buyer consider the following five questions.

• What do you want an EMR to do for you that your current processes do not?
• What capabilities do you need that are specific to your specialty?
• How do you want your EMR deployed: a server in your office, or over the Web?
• How do you want to interact with the EMR (e.g. voice, tablet, keyboard)?
• Do you want just an EMR, or a complete EMR & practice management system?

Next Steps
View a free demonstration of one or more of the products above to better understand how they can meet the needs of your medical practice. From there, you can request a detailed price quote from the software vendors you like best.

FREE Consultation Still need help sorting through the options? Tap our expertise by calling for a FREE consultation. We don’t sell software and we don’t implement software, but we can save you weeks of research in one brief phone call: 1-800-918-2764.