From Opthalmology Management, they provide some valuable insight into the importance of due diligence when selecting and implementing an EMR Solution.

EMR: Its Time Has Come
You are finally ready for EMR. Will you need a new practice management system, too?
BY JERRY HELZNER, SENIOR EDITOR

The history of EMR systems being used in ophthalmology practices dates back to the mid-1980s. However, when three highly touted systems launched bywell-respected healthcare companies failed to live up to expectations and were later withdrawn from the market, those in ophthalmology practices became wary of EMR and the market for such systems almost completely evaporated.

Until now.

Within the past year, a combination of factors has rekindled the interest of ophthalmology practices in EMR. These factors include the recent availability of more advanced EMR technology that can link to electronic practice management (sometimes called EPM) systems used for billing and scheduling, the implementation of HIPAA regulations, increasing pressure from third-party payers for practices to “go electronic,” and possibly most important, the potential for achieving numerous efficiencies that translate to more dollars on the bottom line. These efficiencies can be more easily achieved by larger practices, though industry experts say that smaller practices should not ignore the potential benefits that can be derived from EMR. For example, it costs a practice using paper records an estimated overall cost of $3 to $6 to pull a chart. With EMR, that cost is virtually eliminated.

“Ophthalmologists have been thinking about installing EMR for 10 years,” says Jim Messier, vice president, Ophthalmology Products, NextGen Healthcare Information Systems, Inc. (Horsham, Pa.). “Now, when we go to ophthalmology meetings the questions are much more specific and the practice administrators are much better informed. This tells me they’ve done their due diligence, they have a comfort level with the improved systems that are now available and are about to make a purchase decision.”