EHR: Lifting the Roadblocks

In this post I want to discuss some solutions that can help alleviate the concerns with EMR/EHR implementation. As noted in last blog post, providers raise several concerns with EHR adoption having to do with costs, training, interoperability and security. These concerns however can be mitigated by advancements in technology that allow for faster adoption of EHRs.

One solution to the cost problem is to make avail of the incentives from HITECH. In addition, providers can utilize several cloud vendors that offer a Service-as-a-Platform model for EMR/EHRs. Going to the cloud model will mitigate the need to invested in a costly IT infrastructure and hardware. In the long-run EMR/EHR adoption helps generate greater ROI by increasing productivity, decreases costs associated with paper-systems (printing, storage, etc.) and increases quality of care and patient satisfaction.

 In terms of challenges with interoperability and application development, taking an iterative approach based on an analysis of feasibility and importance can help prioritize and plan the migration. Simply put, tackle the routine functions that can be moved to EHR right away such as enrollment and billing, and other administrative data, and handle the harder clinical data later on. Same strategy applies for handling historical medical information. While the long-term goal for EHR is to centralize data in a NIHS and produce Longitudinal Patient Records, the more immediate need is to get EMR systems functioning and operational.

Training is a real concern that needs to be seem as a cultural and emotional problem. And many SAAS vendors come with training packages that providers can use to train their staff in the new system. In addition introduction of new technologies such as mobile computing and speech recognition can make interactions with the EHR intuitive, lower costs, and increase productivity. Any introduction of disruptive technology will take some time to adjust, however EHR systems are designed to make input of data easier and to reduce human error and manual entry. Automated drug or disease registries for instance can make capturing patient information and treatment plans so much simpler. 

...to be continued.