Keys to EMR Success: Selecting and Implementing an Electronic Medical Record

This outstanding book was chosen Book of the Year Award Winner for HIMSS (Healthcare Information Management and Systems Society) because it comprehensively covers the selection and implementation of electronic medical records for the physician practice. The book contains solid advice, worklists, and other tools to help physicians and office administrators succeed in leveraging EMRs to improve patient services and practice performance. The book is a guide to sorting out myriad options for the practice, including vendor choice, contacting, and establishing a framework in the practice to ensure successful implementation. Topics include defining requirements, product selection, negotiating contracts to avoid tricky situations with warranties and termination clauses, upfront fees and staff training and motivation. Publisher has sold 1300 copies of this book in the first 6 months of publication! As a nationally recognized expert on practice-based computer systems, Ron Sterling has helped many medical practices evaluate whether an EMR investment makes sense (and for some practices, it doesn t!). From there, he helps them define requirements, choose the right system, get physician and staff buy-in, and take the system live as smoothly as possible. There is no question that the selection and implementation of an EMR is a bet-the-practice proposition. If you fail, you end up with more costs and greater frustration. On the other hand, few practices will be able to avoid implementing EMRs as these tools become necessary to meet patient expectations, payer quality requirements and pay-for-performance demands. Keys to EMR Success is particularly valuable because it explores more than just the technology considerations. From common care standards and disease management initiatives, to the HIPAA Transaction Set and Continuity of Care Record, Sterling offers bottom-line perspective on how current industry issues affect EMR decisions. For example, in looking at Pay for Performance, he points out how an EMR can help practices answer Medicare/Medicaid pay-for-performance initiatives. Another thing that s unique about this book is that medical practices aren t squeezed into a one size fits all approach.

Selected Table of Contents:

Chapter 1: Should I Invest in an EMR? Who should and shouldn t make the leap. Chapter 2: Evaluating an EMR Investment How to compare the system s cost to potential ROI in patient care, document management, compliance, and other key practice areas. Chapter 3: Your Practice Management System and an EMR Best practices for getting these systems to work together and with your practice management team. Chapter 4: Compiling a Practice-Focused Evaluation List How to define requirements and anticipate features you ll need in the future. Chapter 5: Selecting Products to Review Narrowing the field of 400 EMR products to find the best candidates for your practice. Chapter 6: Reviewing Products for Your Practice How to complete due diligence in two months, including what to look in demos. Chapter 7: Making a Final Decision Using a weighted score system ... and asking the right questions about server support, hardware specs, and other potential hidden costs. Chapter 8: Negotiating a Contract How to avoid tricky situations with warranties, termination clauses, upfront fees, and more. Chapter 9: Implementing an EMR. From clinical standards and policies, to data conversion and training: who does what, when. Chapter 10: Activating an EMR How to keep personnel and logistics issues from sabotaging your success with the EMR system. Chapter 11: Supporting an EMR Maintaining standards (e.g., clinical charting), motivating proficiency, training new employees, and regularly refreshing staff EMR skills. BONUS!...an EMR glossary and a list of vendors with company names, contact, certification status, and specialty

Ronald B. Sterling, CPA, MBA, President of Sterling Solutions, Ltd. helps physician practices and other healthcare organizations capitalize on technology to improve patient service, clinical operations and financial results. Sterling Solutions provides project leadership and guidance to achieve tangible results and benefits from an EMR investment. Ron is a nationally recognized expert on the selection and implementation of electronic medical record and practice management systems. He offers a full range of services to achieve success backed up by an extensive background in technology, physician practices and project management. He has reviewed software products from over 150 vendors. With more than 30 years experience using technology and information as a competitive weapon, he has managed transitions to new computer tools for health care organizations in 30 states. He has served a wide range of primary care and specialty groups including some of the premier ambulatory organizations in the country. Ron manages the transition to EMRs from conception to selection to implementation and deployment. He is vendor neutral, and focuses on the interests of the medical practice. He continually monitors product and vendor developments in this rapidly evolving and diverse software market. He is a frequent speaker on EMRs to a variety of provider and industry groups including MGMA, TEPR, physician executive programs and Hospitals. He has contributed articles to a wide range of publications including Medical Economics, and Ophthalmology Management. He has also written How to Select and Install Medical Practice Software and the Guide to Medical Practice Software.