Tech Thursday – Cloud-Shrouded, Whereabouts Unknown-A Digital Healthcare Metaphor
Tech Thursday
“Cloud-Shrouded, Whereabouts Unknown-A Digital Healthcare Metaphor”
By Erin Stevenson
Posted: 03/04/2010 01:30:25 AM PST
Forty years ago, when Zen Master Alan Watts wrote about finding his refuge on Mt. Tamapalis in CA., little did he know he was also writing about the current state of affairs in the healthcare industry. Confronted with a shrinking deadline to “go digital”, if health care providers hope to capture some of the federal stimulus monies available through the government’s “HITECH” program, there is a huge maze in front of them.
However, when a provider knows the right questions to ask, the chances of succeeding increase dramatically. We’re going to look at six of the best questions providers can ask to insure they’re “on the path” as Alan liked to say.
1. Have you considered using a Consultant to help identify those vendors that are a good fit for your practice? (Consultants can also function as Project Managers, or “Trusted Entities” that can manage some or all of the requirements for transitioning into a digitally-based practice and should be one call away when a problem arises)
2. Do you know that your risk of success increases when purchase “mixed” or ‘interfaced” systems?
Those who only purchase an EHR system, for example, may quickly find that they have no way to transfer their clinical documentation into accurate billable data and important clinical alerts. Traditional EHR applications are often “cobbled” together with an existing practice management system and the two products may not interface properly.
3. Do you understand the importance of “Point of Care” Usability?
A critical component to any comprehensive EHR solution is that it offers total point-of-care workflow and usability. Physicians, nurses and all other care providers must be able to quickly access and document patient information directly from the point-of-care without inhibiting any aspects of the patient’s visit-this directly contradicts how many EHR systems were not initially designed.
4. Are Health Care Providers making upfront “Apples to Apples” comparisons of the best EHR Systems and Solutions?
It is important to remember that when comparing EHR systems, providers should demand a comprehensive review of all associated costs for their practice during a five-year-period.
5. Are health care providers aware of inherent dangers in purchasing an EHR from a company that does not provide end-to-end solutions or support?
The fourth biggest mistake providers make is not realizing that EHR companies will do everything in their power to get you hooked realizing that, once you’re hooked, you’re hooked. If a system issue arises and you’re not able to track down an immediate cause or reason, the multiple companies involved traditionally point fingers at each other and leave the practice frustrated and in the dark. [Here’s yet another reason to use a Consultant or “Trusted Entity” where one phone call can transfer the responsibility of figuring out a solution to them and frees up the provider to continue working with their patients]
6. As a provider, are you underestimating the importance of a clinical template library or the ability to easily create one that meets your unique needs?
Many EHR systems force every provider to create their own documentation and procedure templates. This is usually a daunting and time consuming process. If an EHR system comes with a library of templates-great. If not, can the provider or consultant easily and quickly create templates that can immediately be integrated into their work flow?
And finally,
7. As a provider in the EHR market, do you Understand that “Free” is Not always a BAD word? Or, do you automatically assume that “free” is suspicious and untrustworthy? In this very competitive environment, as Marshall McLuen said those many years ago, this assumption has outlived its uselessness.
Very reputable vendors are offering a host of services free to help providers maximize their “HITECH” subsidies. It’s not as if the vendor is losing in the proposition. The reality is that they have found other avenues of revenue that offset the cost of offering “free” services. Providers win in that they can reap the benefits from these free services and reinvest the subsidy monies to offset hardware, training, and related costs to “going digital”.
Look, you’re busy & your staff is busy. There are very significant decisions to make if you’re aiming at being eligible for some of the “HITECH” subsidies. You really don’t have to agonize over transitioning to an EHR system! There are expert guides out there. Use them to stay on “the path” and enjoy the view.
Erin Stevenson is a Digital Healthcare Consultant. He has an Advanced HIPAA Certification, including Security Levels I & II and Dual Membership in HIMSS [National and Regional] and is a member of the Redwood Technology Consortium. Visit www.redwoodmedicalconsulting.com for more information.
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