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Small practice EHR: 5 things to look for

June 23, 2020

Our leading EHR solution, CGM APRIMA offers a uniquely fast, flexible, and powerful EHR designed to complement and simplify your workflow, not hinder it.

Happy doctors who rely on CGM APRIMA EHR and Practice Management

Electronic health records have disrupted the healthcare market with their immense benefits and ability to engage patients in their treatment process.

A small practice EHR helps you take charge of your patients' health records and move from paper documentation to digital record keeping. With the right small practice EHR, you can share digital health records in real-time with the clinics and specialists involved in your patient's treatment.

In short, a small practice EHR empowers you to provide quality healthcare and medical services. Increase the efficiency of your staff and optimize internal processes.

When considering different EHR solutions, your small practice should look at certain requirements to get the best out of the new technology. Here are five things you should consider:

1. Ensure your small practice EHR is easy to use

When you test drive the system, make sure it fits into YOUR workflow. You never want to change the way you practice to accommodate your software. A great small practice EHR is designed with the user in mind, helping you work the way you want to and reducing the time you spend on routine tasks.

Ask questions like:

  • Can I chart by symptom for fast documentation?
  • Can past notes be carried forward to avoid starting from scratch?
  • Will the system learn my preferences over time to make documentation faster and more streamlined?
  • Can data be entered in different ways like dictation, transcription, touch screen, etc.?

2. Small practice EHR connectivity

One of the main benefits of an EHR is the ability to exchange information across the healthcare ecosystem. Having a software that can connect and communicate with various channels like Health Information Exchanges (HIEs), ACOs, and national networks will boost the productivity of your practice.

But, not all small practice EHR systems are created equal.

Make sure the EHR you select is focused on interoperability. Ask how the system operates regarding interfaces with labs and hospitals in your area, how well it handles referral management, and if it supports newer initiatives for on-demand data requests.

3. Efficient reporting for day-to-day and quality programs

A good small practice EHR should simplify the reporting process with many report templates to help you manage your day-to-day operations including: schedules, cancellations, no-shows, and basic financial summaries showing charges, payments and adjustments.

Every small practice is unique, so you may also need to build custom reports. Your EHR system should make it easy to create custom reports on your own or with support from your vendor. Reports should be clear and easy to analyze to allow for faster action based on data.

Beyond your day-to-day reporting needs, it also important to make sure your EHR supports quality reporting efforts. Does the system include a real-time MACRA dashboard so you can track your progress on the fly? Does the dashboard provide drill-down capability into individual chart notes? These types of reports provide what you need to successfully attest to your MIPS or APM participation.

Our leading EHR solution, CGM APRIMA offers a uniquely fast, flexible, and powerful EHR designed to complement and simplify your workflow, not hinder it.

4. Save time and increase engagement with an integrated patient portal

A lot of time and effort can be spent by front office staff on arranging patient appointments, re-booking cancelled appointments, and communicating lab and test results. An advanced, small practice EHR can eliminate these manual tasks by automating systems.

With an integrated patient portal, your small practice can provide access to a secure, web-based solution that enhances the physician-patient relationship.

Your practice can share lab results directly with patients through the portal. Patients can view and request updates to health history, schedule appointments, and request refills and referrals.

5. Flexibility to grow is key in a small practice EHR

Electronic health record software is a major investment for your small practice. As you expand your patient base, you need to know that your EHR vendor will be there to help you seamlessly grow your business. Look for a vendor that has decades of experience and a deep understanding of EHRs, practice management software, and revenue cycle management operations. 

Choose a company that has a large customer base deployed across a range of specialties and settings. Ensure that the company is current on all industry certifications and has a commitment to keeps certifications current.

Finally, choose a vendor that is committed to providing the best customer service and support and views their customers as part of the family—not just another software sale.

Although adopting a new EHR system is a major undertaking for your small practice, the gains achieved by increased interoperability, more easily sharing patient data, and reducing administrative workload can reap long-term benefits.

Find the EHR that's right for you and focus on the future.

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