Risks and challenges

The implementation of an EMR system will significantly impact your practice. Understanding the risks and challenges — as well as the benefits already discussed — will help you establish expectations for your practice. For some physicians, the risks and challenges may be significant enough to delay adoption of an EMR system. For others, they find the transition to be worth the time, cost and effort involved.

Workflow

• Nearly every process — clinical and administrative — will change with the implementation of an EMR system. Your vendor can often help you understand what major workflow changes will change, but you will need to evaluate your current workflow and carefully document and plan for new processes. Read more about worflow considerations.

Technical

• If your practice has not used any information technology such as basic PCs or traditional practice management systems, it might be better to postpone the decision to purchase an EMR system until your staff is more comfortable with basic technology.
• If your practice does not have access to high speed network lines, an EMR system will likely be a frustrating endeavor. Make sure that your technical environment supports the EMR system.
• If you do not have IT support in your practice and you are not using an ASP vendor, make sure you understand how you will maintain your technical environment and plan for hardware and software outages and create a contingency plan for potential software or hardware failures.

Product Functionality

• Remember that there are many vendors with EMR products, each designed to support a particular practice environment. Some have very sophisticated functionality while others provide very basic functionality. Make sure you understand what functionality is important to you and your practice before you talk to vendors.
• Many EMR functionalities require investments in time and/or money. For example, documenting patient visits requires the use of templates which can be customized by you or your vendor for the most common patient visit types in your practice.

Some physicians who have not customized templates to fit their specific needs may revert to paper, capture only partial information electronically or dictate visit information and have it transcribed into the EMR system, none of which are efficient or benefit-producing processes. Find a system that fits your needs with little customization or one that can be easily customized by you or the vendor.

Project Management

Understand how the EMR system will be implemented. Who will manage the project and help you redesign your practice processes? Will you use a consultant? What role will the vendor play? Is there someone in your practice who can champion this transition?