EMR Functionality

While some electronic medical record (EMR) systems are more robust than others, the functionality of an EMR system can be defined in context of patient care: pre-visit functionality, visit functionality and post-visit functionality. Evaluate which functions are important to you and your practice before you begin talking to vendors.

Pre-visit functionality
Most patients don't realize what it takes to prepare for their office visit. Physicians and office staff gather significant information to ensure that the patient and physician have an effective dialogue. Much of this can be done within the EMR system, allowing for a single source of patient information.

• Scheduling and Registration (practice management system functionality, typically available within an EMR application)
• Electronic messaging within physician practice or other connected providers
• Electronic preview of patient medical history, medications and diagnostic tests (i.e., patient chart)
• Conversion of scanned paper to electronic attachments
• Reports of patients that are due for follow-up visits or periodic check-ups

Note: If you choose to keep your existing practice management system, make sure to understand how the practice management and the EMR will “talk to each other.” These systems need to connect to ensure that the patient's insurance, demographics, coding and billing information are exchanged between the two applications.

Visit functionality
EMR systems can provide more than just electronic documentation of your visits; it can enhance your patient care and streamline your processes.

• Electronic clinical documentation
• Electronic prescribing (prescription transmittal, medication
  history, formulary and benefits)
• Disease management protocols incorporated into documentation templates
• Electronic ordering of diagnostic tests and results, including user-defined order-sets
• Clinical coding of patient care
• Automated encounter form generation, including charges
• Patient education materials
• Decision support such as drug interactions and clinical guidelines

Post-visit functionality
Just because the patient left the office doesn't mean you are done with their patient care. Here's how the EMR system supports the post-visit monitoring and care of a patient.

• Digital recording of dictation files
• Conversion of scanned paper to electronic attachments
• Electronic messaging within physician practice or other connected providers
• Electronic prescribing (refills, “fill status” notification)
• Electronic review of test results, assuming your lab provider has an interface compatible with your EMR system
• Patient reminders related to disease management
• Population management and reporting for patients with common conditions such as diabetes, asthma, etc.
• Billing and receivables management (practice management functionality, often available within an EMR application)
• Patient portals on some EMR systems allow patients to view test results and request follow-up visits