Beginning this year, physicians who adopt and use “certified EHRs” will be eligible for maximum incentive payments from CMS for their Medicare and Medicaid patients. Conversely, physicians who do not convert to EHRs by 2015 will be penalized through a reduction in Medicare payments.
Just as a plethora of information is beginning to emerge regarding EHRs, so too there is sadly a great deal of misinformation regarding the realities and complexities of introducing such a system into a physician’s office. Here are seven myths that need dispelling:
* Myth #1 -- All physicians who convert to EHRs will receive stimulus dollars. That’s simply not true. In order to be eligible to receive those additional dollars – generated from the 2009 economic stimulus package -- providers must use EHR technology that has been certified to allow providers to achieve ‘meaningful use.’ Those are categorized as technology that improves care coordination, reduces healthcare disparities, engages patients and their families, improves population and public health, and ensures adequate privacy and security.
* Myth #2 -- It is OK to not electrify all ancillary services. While technically allowable, it is certainly not advisable. In fact, one of the biggest mistakes some providers make is continuing to process labs, prescriptions and referrals on paper while the charts are being handled electronically. That’s because the staff has to scan the initial order and then scan again when results comes back in order to add this information to the charts. Doing everything electronically eliminates duplication of tasks and adds to greater efficiencies for provider and patient.
* Myth #3 -- All records need to be converted at once. Not only is this not true, but it is also not advisable. When initially converting to electronic records, a physician’s productivity will likely drop until he or she gets ‘into the flow’ of how to enter charts into the system. Therefore, it is best to start by only adding new patients to the electronic system. As productivity and comfort improves, physicians may want to add every fifth patient and then every third patient until they are able to confidently move all their patients into the electronic chart system.
* Myth #4 -- The quality and speed of the internet server isn’t important. You wouldn’t say that about your home computer, so why would you say that for something as important as EHRs? It is imperative that a practice’s internet connectivity be constant and high speed.
* Myth # 5 -- It is okay to continue to an existing practice management system. Some providers purchase a new EHR system but insist on continuing to use their existing practice management system. Going down this path increases the risk of failure. Using an integrated model allows everyone to see ALL the information needed to track every aspect of office flow, including calendaring, benefit information and accounting.
* Myth #6 – Purchasing the correct EHR system is a practice needs to do. Not true, unless it only wants to addresses half the issue. Equally important is making sure that it obtains the correct ancillary tools such as tablet PC, voice recognition, handwriting recognition, etc. If, for example, a practice’s staff is accustomed to handwriting on its charts, then it needs to be sure to purchase a tablet PC that allows users to write notes into the system. This will greatly reduce the chance of failure and make the transition that much easier.
* Myth #7 – Financial incentives are the only reason to convert to electronic health records. While the financial incentives are clearly attractive, it is actually the combination these incentives provide, plus the rapid advances in communication technology and the desire to arrive at best practices that is causing this migration. When properly instituted, connected and operated, converting patient records to an electronic platform has the capacity to improve quality, safety, efficiencies and access.
The time is now to start getting up-to-speed with electronic health records. But that also means avoiding the speed bumps along the way. Being aware of these seven myths and not letting them hinder your efforts is the best way to introduce a system that can improve your practice, bring greater efficiencies, reap financial benefits and allow your practice to continue to thrive.
