Adopting EHR software can modify provider workflow and charting processes. This means that healthcare professionals must strategically implement the new technology in order to provide high quality care without affecting productivity. What providers often fail to take into account, however, is that patients must also get used to the EHR’s presence in the exam room. Therefore, providers must implement the software in a way that does not affect patient satisfaction.

Here are a few ways that physicians can use their EHR software to improve the doctor-patient relationship.

Use the Chart View screen to review the patient’s medical history. Doing so before entering the exam room will allow you to interact with the patient straightaway without having to go straight to the computer. 1st Providers Choice’s Chart View menu provides physicians with important patient information, such as:

• Problem list
• Chronic conditions
• Past and current medications
• Patient allergies
• Family and social histories

Engage the patient in the visit by explaining how the EHR software is being used. Though most patients aren’t wary of what their doctor is doing, too much time spent typing can make the visit feel impersonal and the patient feel neglected. Instead of having the patient wait while you send out a prescription electronically or transmit a lab order through the EHR, involve them in the process and show them what you are doing. After you type visit notes into the EHR, let the patient know that they can view their visit summaries through your practice’s online patient healthcare portal.

Make sure your computer is positioned in a way that is easy for the patient to view. This is critical if you plan to show the patient test results in the EHR or demonstrate how an e-prescription is sent. It is also important in order to prevent the computer from becoming an obstacle that hinders free-flowing communication. Instead of positioning your EHR-enabled computer on a desk between you and the patient, put it somewhere that the patient can easily see.

To learn more about our EHR software solutions and how they can benefit your practice, call 480-782-1116 or contact us online.

Doctors of internal medicine often take on the role of primary care providers for adults who are at risk for developing diseases, as well as for patients already suffering from a particular ailment. Seeing as internists must help patients manage their diseases and take steps to prevent others from occurring, it is important for these doctors to have useful tools at their disposal, such as internal medicine EHR.

Two major facets of internal medicine include disease prevention and disease management, each playing an equally important role in patients’ health outcomes. Practicing preventive care is particularly important for patients who are susceptible to diseases that can be spotted early on and even prevented from occurring.

Take diabetes, for example. Using screening tools and questionnaires included in their EMR, physicians can examine certain factors to determine whether a patient is more likely to develop the disease than the average person. These factors can include:

• Race
• Weight
• Blood sugar level
• Dietary habits
• Family history of diabetes

If the internist determines that a patient is at risk for developing diabetes, the patient can be counseled regarding appropriate preventive care measures and pointed in the direct of the physician’s online patient portal for educational resources. The physician can also set reminders in the EMR to ensure that the patient is showing up for routine appointments.

For cases where prevention efforts were unsuccessful – or where a disease was not caught early on – internal medicine EHR software also helps. For example, internists can use decision support tools to help determine a plan of action for how to proceed with treating and managing the patient’s disease.

Interested in learning more about the EHR features available to doctors of internal medicine? Contact us online or call 480-782-1116 to speak with one of our representatives.

Pain management EHR software is used by anesthesiologists, physiotherapists, and other physicians to provide comprehensive treatment plans and improve the quality of life of patients experiencing chronic pain. However, the software can also be used by emergency room doctors – specifically to manage pain in young patients. Here are a few of the ways that pain management EHR systems are making that possible:

Tools for pediatric pain assessments

According to a report released this week by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), providing pain relief to child patients in the ER requires taking a systematic approach to medicine. This includes establishing pain management protocols and educating staff about the best ways to provide comfort to children. One way to provide more effective pain management care to children is by using tools included in the pain management EHR, such as the Faces Pain Scale and the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale. These evaluation tools are necessary considering that not all children can tolerate pain the same way or accurately describe it.

Guidelines for safe sedation

While it is common for an ER physician to sedate a patient before a procedure, according to the AAP’s report, in order to provide safe sedation for children physicians should abide by certain guidelines, such as performing a structured risk stratification, which includes examining the patient’s airway. The information should all be documented in the patient’s electronic health record. Additionally, a personal My Tasks list can help doctors make sure that all areas of concern are monitored both pre- and post-sedation.

Rules for medication administration

Keeping in line with the systematic approach to pediatric pain management recommended by the AAP, it is important for hospitals to have policies in place for how medications should be administered to children, as well as what steps hospitals caregivers can take to ensure that procedures are performed with minimal discomfort to the patient. One of the things the AAP suggests, for example, is applying topical anesthetics before placing sutures or an IV. By creating custom templates and checklists in the EHR, providers can ensure that the proper steps are taken when treating young patients whose pain thresholds differ greatly from adults.

Physicians interested in learning more about our pain management EHR’s features and benefits can contact us at 480-782-1116.

Many Allscripts users were shocked earlier this month when the company made public that it would no longer be selling the MyWay product and that further development on the software would be coming to a stop. The fact that the MyWay system will not meet requirements for meaningful use stage 2 (nor will it be able to process ICD-10 codes) has led many users to consider other electronic charting alternatives. One of these options is 1st Providers Choice – a fully certified EMR system with custom solutions for more than 30 medical specialties.

While Allscripts has offered to upgrade MyWay users to their Professional Suite system at no cost, Professional Suite isn’t likely to meet the needs of all physicians – specifically those in smaller practices. Another important thing to note is that, because MyWay and Professional Suite are starkly different system, making the transition from one product to the other will require a data conversion, implementation and training. Knowing this, physicians may choose to take on a new EMR implementation with a software system that best meets their needs – and that might not necessarily be Allscripts Professional Suite. Plus, amid rumors of an Allscripts buyout, healthcare professionals may feel more at ease with a stable, more customer-oriented vendor.

With countless Allscripts data conversions completed, 1st Providers Choice remains committed to providing a quality EMR solution for healthcare professionals across a wide range of medical fields. Our EMR software is both meaningful use and ICD-10 compliant and physicians find that learning to use our EMR has never been easier.

Are you dissatisfied with Allscripts MyWay or Allscripts Enterprise? Thinking about transitioning to a new, fully certified EMR? Contact us today at 480-782-1116 for more information about converting your Allscripts data to 1st Providers Choice.

Providers cannot begin attesting to meaningful use stage 2 until 2014 – and even then, they can only do so after having successfully attested to stage 1 for two full years. Still, a growing number of healthcare professionals are preparing for the second phase of the federal incentive program and leaving no stone unturned in their quest for meaningful use incentives. Are you wondering how you can start preparing? Begin by familiarizing yourself with the final guidelines, including how stage 2 requirements differ from the ones you are working on now.

Building Blocks

If you understand stage 1 and have successfully attested to meaningful use, you won’t have much to worry about. Stage 2 essentially builds on the core and menu objectives outlined in stage 1. One difference, however, is that hospitals and physicians must meet a greater number of objectives. In addition, percentages have been increased, meaning that providers will need to step up their game. For example, instead of documenting demographic information for more than 50 percent of patients (stage 1), physicians will be required to record specific demographic data for more than 80 percent of patients (stage 2).

Core and Menu Objectives & Clinical Quality Measures (CQM)

For stage 2 of meaningful use, eligible hospitals and providers will be required to meet a different number of objectives using their fully certified EMR. Additionally, although CQMs are no longer listed as a core objective, healthcare professionals participating in the meaningful use program will need to report on CQMs in order to attest to meaningful use. Following are the separate requirements for hospitals and providers:

• Hospitals must meet 16 of 19 core objectives and 3 of 6 menu objectives. They will also be required to report on 16 of 29 CQMs.
• Providers must meet 17 of 20 core objectives and 3 of 6 menu objectives. They will also be required to report on 9 of 64 CQMs.

Patient Engagement

There are a couple of new core objectives in meaningful use stage 2 that aim to increase patient engagement. One objective requires the use of secure electronic messaging to communicate with at least 5 percent of patients. (Physicians in limited broadband areas are exempt from this.) Another objective calls for physicians to provide at least 5 percent of their patients “the ability to view online, download and transmit their health information” within four business days of the information being available to the provider.

Data Exchange

A new core objective that focuses on data exchange requires physicians to provide a summary of care record for more than 50 percent of patients that are referred to a another care setting or provider. Additionally, more than 10 percent of these care records will need to be sent electronically. Provider will also need to send at least one summary of care record to a physician with a different EMR or to a CMS-designated test EMR.

Other Notable Differences in Stage 2

• 2014 is the only year that there will be a three-month reporting period for all healthcare professionals regardless of whether they are reporting for stage 1 or stage 2. To find out when your reporting window is, visit CMS’ website.
• With stage 2, healthcare groups will be able to submit attestation information for different providers all at once. Currently, each provider must submit attestation data separately.

If you are looking for a fully certified EMR than can help you meet meaningful use, check out one of our specialty-specific EMR systems. Our software solutions feature interactive reporting modules and integrate with billing and practice management software.

Telemedicine services support the patient-centered medical home model by allowing physicians to provide long-distance care to patients. This can be accomplished through the use of videoconferencing software, mobile health applications, and other technologies with video and audio capabilities. Through the use of multi-specialty EHR software and other EHR solutions, physicians can easily document data that is learned during the teleconsult, ensuring that patient records are accurate and complete.

Telemedicine contributes to more collaborative, comprehensive care in the following ways:

Patient well-being: Through the use of teleconferencing equipment, healthcare professionals can maintain contact with patients who require follow-up consults but do not necessarily need to make the trip to the doctor’s office or hospital. It also allows physicians to monitor factors that could indicate a worsening condition. Most importantly, it makes it possible for patients who might not be able to make it to their doctor’s office to receive the care they need. Patients with transportation difficulties are less likely to make follow-up appointments and to follow through with their indicated treatment regimens.

Physician collaboration: Telehealth services allow physicians to share data and to work with other caregivers in distant locations. This benefits patients in rural settings with limited access to certain specialists. Instead of traveling long distances for a specialist consult, for example, their physician could set up a teleconsult. With EMR software, the physicians would also be able to share data, making it possible for the specialist to reach an accurate diagnosis.

Who benefits from telemedicine services?

Telemedicine eliminates certain barriers that impede physicians from providing continuous, comprehensive care to patients who need it most. This includes:

• Patients in rural areas with limited access to healthcare facilities
• Patients in communities that are underserved by certain medical specialists
• Patients who no longer require hospitalization but need critical follow-up care
• Critically ill patients who cannot be transported easily
• Patients without access to transportation

Is your healthcare organization considering using telemedicine services? To learn more about how telemedicine EMR features can benefit your practice, contact us to today.

The Heartland Podiatry Conference will be held in Des Moines, Iowa next week from October 3 to 6. The annual meeting is being hosted by the Iowa Podiatric Medical Society (IPMS) in conjunction with the Heartland Scientific Committee and the Nebraska Podiatric Medical Society. In addition to the many podiatrists attending the event, there will be nurses, assistants, podiatry EHR vendors, and other vendors and exhibitors relevant to the podiatry field.

Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska-based physicians who attend the conference can receive up to 25 CME credit hours depending on which of the workshops and lectures they attend. The same goes for nurses who wish to qualify for their own continue education credits (CEU). To view the list of approved courses and their corresponding credits, view the Doctor’s and Assistant’s agendas on IPMS’ website.

Some of the topics of the courses offered for podiatric nurses and assistants include: responding to hostile behavior in the workplace; coding updates and ICD-10; and how new technologies are modifying practice workflows and creating new risks. Podiatrists will be able to attend a series of lectures and mini workshops about new procedures and technologies and overall podiatric care. On the last day of the conference the Heartland Scientific Committee will give a lecture titled “My Most Interesting Care.”

In addition to the many lectures and discussions scheduled throughout the four-day seminar, the Heartland Podiatry Conference is also hosting an exhibitor reception on Thursday, October 54. All those in attendance will have the chance to talk to exhibitors, view podiatry EHR software demos first-hand, and mingle with other guests.

Podiatry EHR software will be a popular topic this week at the Podiatry Institute’s “Update 2012 Reconstructive Surgery of the Foot Ankle” seminar. The event, which is being co-sponsored by the San Diego Podiatric Society, kicks off on Thursday, September 27 in San Diego, California and will come to a close on Sunday, September 30.

Podiatrists (and other physicians in attendance), will take part in workshops, lectures and group discussions covering a wide range of topics relevant to the podiatry specialty. Some of the topics that will be discussed are: the widespread challenges that many podiatrists face; new technologies and techniques used in treating foot and ankle afflictions; and how to avoid common complications.

There will also be exhibitors at the event showcasing the latest podiatry technologies, such as electronic medical records software – one of the things that is sure to be a topic of conversation amongst podiatrists at the San Diego conference. 1st Providers Choice will be exhibiting their IMS Podiatry EMR and will be providing live demos for interested physicians.

There are two lectures on the agenda that specifically target EHR use. The first, “Designing Your Practice’s Workflow to Optimize Your EHR Implementation,” will be held on the first day of the conference. While there is no information yet as to what speakers will talk about specifically, physicians can most likely look forward to suggestions about implementing EHR software for podiatrists. The second event, which will take place on Saturday, is called “Optimizing EHR to Improve Patient Care and Mitigate Risk.” The lecture will focus on improving patient care through proper use of an EHR, and presenters will talk about documentation risks, suggested charting techniques, and patient privacy.

To learn more about the three remaining seminars on the Podiatry Institute’s 2012 agenda, click here.

The Podiatry Institute is a world renowned nonprofit educational foundation whose members are committed to advancing podiatric medicine and surgery. The Institute hosts seminars, conferences, and workshops throughout the year in an effort to promote and advance podiatric medicine. All proceeds from these meetings are used to develop educational materials for podiatrists and other foot and ankle surgery physicians.

When pediatric physicians implement generic EHR systems, they often learn the hard way that their software of choice is not equipped to meet the needs of pediatric specialists. This is due to the fact that generalized software systems lack specialty-specific features and prevent physicians from replacing paper-based processes altogether, meaning that different workflows must be completed outside the electronic medical record software.

When patient data gets dispersed amongst various locations, it creates incomplete electronic health records, which can ultimately affect patient care. With pediatric EHR software, however, pediatricians benefit from specialty-specific configurations that make charting patient encounters more accurate and efficient. IMS’ pediatric EHR provides physicians with specialty-specific tools that help with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and illnesses in children.

Following are a few of the ways that pediatric EHR software allows physicians to provide more effective and specialized pediatric care:

1. Choose from templates designed for pediatric specialists.

Pediatricians face a unique problem, which is that physical examinations can be very different for a newborn than for a pre-pubescent child. Because of this, having generic templates can create extra work or even cause important data to be left out of the EHR. With pediatric-specific software systems, however, physicians are able to select exam templates based on a child’s age, symptoms, or specific behavioral disorders.

Modules for pediatric EHR software feature common pediatric issues such as child psychology, newborn complaints and birth injuries, APGAR and BALLARD scores, well child exams, and neonate examinations. Meanwhile, templates for behavior conditions include:

• ADHD
• Breath holding
• Bruxism
• Head banging
• Pica
• Tics
• Autism
• Learning disabilities & more

2. Create charts to map patient growth.

Ever since a child is born, height and weight measurements are a standard part of their yearly check-ups. This data can help pediatricians identify developmental problems by comparing the child’s growth to that of their peers, as well as by comparing their yearly growth to that of previous years. By using pediatric EHR software, physicians are able to enter height and weight data in one location in the EHR and it will automatically plot the information in the patient’s growth chart – a vital feature for any pediatric specialist.

3. Keep track of patient immunizations.

With immunization management tools, pediatricians can easily document and monitor the vaccines that each patient has had. Physicians can also set health follow-up reminders in their EHR to alert them when a child is due for their next vaccine.

Learn more about the many ways a pediatric-specific EHR can benefit your practice. Contact us today for a free demo.

For many physicians, the thought of adopting EMR software is overwhelming, as it can require investing money in computer equipment, software fees and licensing. Not to mention the time that goes into setup, training and implementation, as well as the drastic changes to providers’ charting methods and workflows. The fact of the matter is, implementing an EMR doesn’t have to be as scary as some might make it out to be, as there are many resources available to help physicians make the transition – from regional extension centers to EMR vendors themselves.

With the deadline to start reporting for Stage 1 of Meaningful Use this year fast approaching, physicians eager to receive the maximum incentive payments allowed through CMS should take heed – if you choose not to participate in Meaningful Use this year, you could be missing out on $5,000 worth of stimulus money.

If you want to take advantage of the money available to you through federal incentive programs, we suggest taking note of the following date:

• October 3: In order to earn the full $44,000 in incentive payments, providers must start the Stage 1 reporting period no later than this day.

Of course, the first step to achieving Meaningful Use is implementing fully certified EMR software, and you’ll want to do that a month or so before you need to start attesting to Meaningful Use. This will give you enough time to learn the system, train your staff and start using the EMR with live patients. That way, you can have all the kinks worked out by the time you start reporting.

Fully certified EMR software meets national standards for data exchange (interoperability) and is a requirement for Meaningful Use. If you choose to invest in a cheaper EMR, be careful. Having an uncertified product could cost you more in the long run. Not only will you miss out on Meaningful Use incentive payments, but you run the risk of not being able to exchange health records with other EMR users. This is something that will likely be emphasized more in Stages 2 and 3 of the Meaningful Use program.