It’s no secret EMRs can be complex and confusing, and despite the buzz surrounding their implementation.
Although most people who are new to healthcare IT always point to EMRs as the most important application, there are many different healthcare IT applications that make up the ‘industry’ as a whole. When you’re dealing with healthcare IT, EMRs might be a good entry point for some folks, but it’s actually more likely that EMRs aren’t your first place to start your automation journey.
So to help with deciding where your first point of entry into healthcare IT should be, use these technologies to embrace before jumping into an EMR:
ePrescribing. ePrescribing is a great way to begin automation since it’s a fast way to see how much slower the digital process is at capturing clinical data. If ePrescribing alone makes you slower in your job, EMRs will likely affect you even more. If you’re productive with ePrescribing, then EMRs, in general, will make you more productive too.
Email. Internal office messaging and email is a great place to start. If you haven’t started your office automation journey here, you should. Regulations include standards for access control, integrity and transmission security.
Google apps. When it comes to scheduling and document sharing, Google has some very nice online tools for managing contacts, or patients, and scheduling appointments. In addition, both tools have “dirt simple” documentation management, he said, which allows everyone in the office to be on the same page. “Before you jump into full-fledged EMRs, see if these basic, free tools can do the job for you.
Document imaging. Scanning and storing your paper documents is something that affects everyone. All scanners come with some basic imaging software that you can use for free.” And once you’re good at scanning and paper digitalization, he said, you can move to “medical grade” document management that can improve productivity even more.
Electronic lab reporting (ELR). If labs are taking up most of your time, you can automate them pretty easily with web-based lab reporting system. ELR has many benefits, including timeliness, reduction of manual data entry errors, and more complete reports. It’s been promoted as a public health priority for the past several years, and since it’s a meaningful use objective, its adoption is being accelerated.
Speech recognition. Speech recognition is another “point solution” to helping with capturing clinical notes. You can get a system up and running for under $250. And today’s speech recognition software can be do more than pure dictation. Most systems can be used to manage email as well as speed up information turnaround and protect employees from repetitive stress injuries. Additionally, the software can be integrated with most EMRs.
Adapted for small and mid size hospitals. Original post here
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