Quality, efficacy driving EMR implementation
A desire to reduce errors coupled with the need for more efficient communication are encouraging the implementation of clinical systems including computerized physician order entry and clinical documentation with electronic medical records (EMR), according to market research firm Frost & Sullivan of San Jose, Calif.
The company said that EMRs effectively reduce the time required to delve into patient charts to obtain information and nursing documentation. This helps facilitate communications among clinical staff and has a significant impact on the overall operational efficiency.
Pramodh Ishwarakrishnan, a research analyst with the firm, said that EMRs can enable healthcare providers to efficiently manage overhead expenses and improve revenues with complete reimbursement for services.
However, he noted that although EMRs can enable healthcare providers to efficiently manage overhead expenses and improve revenues with complete reimbursement for services, physicians’ resistance to change, the lack of financial incentives, and office technology challenge their implementation.
In addition, Ishwarakrishnan cautioned that during the transition to a paperless office, the additional costs incurred within a hospital setting for the transformation is followed by the decrease in revenues that have resulted from seeing fewer patients during this change.
The company said that EMRs effectively reduce the time required to delve into patient charts to obtain information and nursing documentation. This helps facilitate communications among clinical staff and has a significant impact on the overall operational efficiency.
Pramodh Ishwarakrishnan, a research analyst with the firm, said that EMRs can enable healthcare providers to efficiently manage overhead expenses and improve revenues with complete reimbursement for services.
However, he noted that although EMRs can enable healthcare providers to efficiently manage overhead expenses and improve revenues with complete reimbursement for services, physicians’ resistance to change, the lack of financial incentives, and office technology challenge their implementation.
In addition, Ishwarakrishnan cautioned that during the transition to a paperless office, the additional costs incurred within a hospital setting for the transformation is followed by the decrease in revenues that have resulted from seeing fewer patients during this change.