Do you need an EHR? Electronic Health Records are the wave of the future – and the future is now. Each year, more and more providers are deciding the make the electronic conversion. They recognize the need in our ever changing environment to reduce costs and improve operating efficiency. Most significantly, they recognize the ability of technology to improve patient care by giving providers the information they need seamlessly – at the point of care.

There are many options to consider when choosing an EHR technology partner. Start with a CCHITSM certified software solution. Then, consider the source, you should partner with a company capable of timely, professional implementation and a consultative approach. Ideally, you would want one partner capable of servicing your practice management, EHR, and LIS needs. You should want to work with a technology partner capable of adapting to the changing nature of healthcare reimbursement and care models.

The final key to the puzzle is realizing that using an EHR system is an investment. It is an investment in your practice, your company, and yourself. Delivering on the promise of improved patient care, reduced costs, and saving time provides actual, measurable results. Take the time to do an ROI analysis with a sales consultant today.

Here are two brief examples of Visionary Medical Systems customers who have been able to achieve real results by using the Visionary's Dream EHR and Office PM software.

Dr. Stuart K. Joseph – Internal Medicine (Miami, Florida)
Visionary Office PM user since 2004/DREAM EHR user since 2006

* The Need:

Initially, Dr. Joseph purchased Visionary Office PM in order schedule patient appointments, capture patient demographics, and utilize an automated billing process. Later, in 2006, Dr. Joseph wanted to run a paperless office, so he did research on Electronic Health Records software.

* The Solution:

Visionary Medical Systems acknowledged Dr. Joseph's needs in 2004 and offered the comprehensive Visionary Office PM. Then, in 2006, Visionary Medical implemented Dr. Joseph with DREAM EHR. With both applications, Dr. Joseph and his staff are able to maintain a paperless environment, keep track of patient records, and save a great amount of time when recording patient notes.

* The Result:

The result is simple… a very happy customer and user of both VO and DREAM EHR. Dr. Joseph describes the result the best: "Our overall experience with the DREAM EHR has been excellent. Can I see more patients in a day? Yes, absolutely! Although at first, any conversion to EMR can be scary, as I have developed a better understanding of the software I do find I can still see the same number or more patients than I saw before and finish on time.

"Can I document more effectively and efficiently and bill for a higher level visit when appropriate? Yes, absolutely. There are a number of day to day encounters in which patients present for follow-up of chronic diagnoses in which the notes are almost complete by the time I have opened the patient's chart. A few clicks later the note is completed and saved. With the "My Favorite" set-up I have created multiple notes for simple recurrent problems that I use as a template and then quickly modify if necessary. I have created multiple macros for the different modules within the EMR which are helpful for documenting quickly and effectively. With our prior paper charts, I would have to flip through pages of notes to update the patient's problems lists, diagnoses and medications. I knew what I wanted to chart but dictating long and repetitive history and physicals was a waste of time and money. The EMR allows us to focus our attention on the new problems as the old ones are already documented.

"As we have moved ahead with scanning labs and other documents into the STAR document management system, the labs are where they are supposed to be. Test results are not floating around the office. Refilling medications and keeping track of what patient's are on is much quicker especially when patients are on multiple medications. We are generally scanning new patient information as it arrives. My office found it too difficult and time-consuming to try to scan the entire old charts and categorize them in the new system although if we had the manpower this would certainly be feasible. We sent all our old charts to a scanning company which scanned them as PDF files onto DVDs which we can use to look up old information if necessary.

"We are also very happy with our Visionary Office program. This is one powerful and user-friendly program. The support and training is excellent. I look forward to further maximizing its potential as we start electronic billing with the diagnoses directly from the EMR."

OB/GYN, Riverside Medical Center (Bradenton, Florida)
Visionary Office PM and DREAM EHR user since 2005

* The Need:

The doctor was preparing to start his own practice. After working in a group practice environment, he was committed to launching the new office with the right processes in place from the outset. He believed strongly that opening the doors with the right information technology system already in place was key to a successful launch. After an exhaustive search, the doctor approached Visionary Medical Systems, Inc. with his needs – guidance in starting his own office and maintaining a truly paperless environment. Specifically, he needed a system that would provide for effective patient charting, insurance billing and collections, scheduling, and electronic retention of miscellaneous patient documents. The doctor needed to be sure that errors would be significantly reduced and turn-around time on claim submissions and payments would increase.

* The Solution:

Visionary Medical Systems recommended its Point of Care suite of applications - Visionary Office Practice Management software (VO) and DREAM Electronic Health Records. This solution provided the doctor with the necessary tools to create the environment he desired. He now takes his wireless tablet PC from room to room to track patient information electronically, as opposed to paper charts. His office staff utilizes VO to enter and update patient demographics, scan insurance cards, schedule appointments, process insurance claims and patient statements, and run numerous reports ranging from accounts receivable to billing to recalls.

* The Result:

The implementation of the POC package was instrumental in providing results and measurable return on investment. The software was easy to learn and use, and Support continues to be always accessible, friendly, and eager to help resolve any issues in a timely manner. The doctor announces that "we are pleased with DREAM and we are using it every day for all of our patients." Visionary's software has provided the doctor's office with the paperless environment he envisioned when venturing out on his own.

Note:
This article first appeared in the Executive Healthcare Management May Issue #257
http://executivehm.com/currentissue/article.asp?art=273722&issue=257