Top Tips for Transitioning to New EHR Software

Although it is a fact that an electronic health record (EHR) system makes practice management efficient in many ways. However, there comes an instance when switching to an EHR is necessary for the healthcare facility.

Healthcare practices often face a lagging electronic health record system but resist change. There are many reasons why:

• The idea of switching to a new electronic system might risk losing valuable health data.
• Switching to a new EHR will mean halting the work for weeks until all data and functionality are integrated into the new system.
• Complexity issues that come with every advanced EHR software.  

Read along to understand why you need to change your existing electronic health record software and how to simplify the transition.

Reasons for Switching to A New EHR

Digital record keeping has enhanced healthcare performance on all levels. Majority of hospitals and small and large healthcare practices manage patient data through electronic health record software.

Some of the reasons a healthcare facility would be bound to change an EHR are:

• To modify its functionality to comply with new regulations.
• In case additional costs were kept secret by the existing EHR vendor.
• Limitations in currently used EHR.
• The current EHR lacks the necessary customization for conducting practice services.
• Bad customer support service from your current EHR company.
• A security breach that risks your medical practice's reputation.
• Uninformed increase in EHR charges at the time of contract renewal.
• If the current electronic health record (EHR) solution company retires its products entirely.
• In case your practice's electronic health record solution is acquired by another company and wants your practice to switch to an unacceptable digital system.

Questions to Ask About Your Current EHR

Before switching to a new electronic health record, it is necessary to analyze your current EHR. In order to determine whether your current EHR needs modification or your healthcare facility needs a new one, ask the following questions to make the decision:

• Is it a cloud-based electronic health record system?
• Can it integrate into your practice management, patient portal, and revenue cycle management software?
• Does it integrate with the labs and pharmacies?
• Can it be customized according to your specialty?
• Does it have integrated telehealth or remote patient services?
• Does it have a clinical decision support (CDS) feature?
• Does it generate quarterly and annual reports?
• Is it following new coding standards?

If your answer to any of the above questions is "no," it might be time to search for a modern EHR system.

A Smooth Transition Toward New EHR Software

Switching to a new EHR is more straightforward than imagined. Here are some tips for a smooth transition in your healthcare facility: Research the vendor and all of their solutions. Often, the performance of one healthcare software is good. You should choose a company that has an overall trustworthy record.

• Look for electronic health record systems with multiple features. You might not need them at the time of the switch, but they will help your facility scale in the future.
• Understand how the new vendor will transfer your health, patient, and practice's financial data. It is the most crucial step to retaining and recovering critical information.
• Be prepared for worst-case scenarios. Always ask if a data backup can be produced.

Key Features to Look for In An EHR

Here are some features you should look for while choosing a new EHR software for your medical practice.

Integration feature with medical billing

While patient management is vital for a facility, revenue generation and balancing are crucial to stabilizing a healthcare facility. Therefore, find an EHR software that quickly and effectively integrates with all prominent medical billing and RCM software. Also, if an EHR integrates with your hospital's billing system, you can enjoy faster reimbursements.

Customization

Customized workflows tailored to your practice's needs and type of patients are a mandatory feature for every EHR. Staff should be able to filter out data according to their requirement and determine the look-book of their screen at a given time. Customized interfaces increase workers' efficiency and likeability and reduce the time to complete a task.

Documentation

Auto-scanning and filling system is used in many electronic systems nowadays. Finding an EHR that accurately scans and transfers data to the new portal will decrease the load on front-desk staff. Also, physicians will receive correctly filled patient data within less time after shifting to the new EHR. This also reduces the risk of missing paperwork.

Medicinal Tracking Feature

EHR with in-built medication trackers can provide two primary benefits to a facility. One, it can help staff locate a patient's medications quickly. Two, it gives a holistic view of a patient's medicines and treatments, indicating if any medicines have interactions or require diet changes.

Auto-Alerts

One key feature of an EHR is automated reminders. It can be integrated with robotic processing functionality where appointments, schedules, no-shows, and claim follow-up reminders are automatically sent to patients and insurance companies. This feature can also be interlinked with the patient portals and utilized for e-visits and remote monitoring of patients.

TalkEHR Electronic Health Records

EHR technology is increasingly growing in end-user problems and inefficiencies. In such cases, electronic health record software determines how well a practice flows. Thus, your new EHR software should align with your healthcare facility's vision and specialty.

talkEHR has developed an updated technology for managing your practice's workload, revenues, and patient scheduling.

Key Takeaways

• Review your current EHR before hiring a new vendor.
• Research the software market and pick trustworthy healthcare IT profiles.
• Assure the new EHR is compatible with medical billing and other departmental software.
• Outreach for advanced EHR features that can help your practice grow in the future.
• Take demos to see if the EHR suits your practice’s specialty requirements.