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Maybe you have just finished your medical residency, or you have started your own practice and now you need to tackle how to setup your medical business. Faced with all the challenges of a small business owner one of the most important decisions you will need to make is choosing which electronic medical software (EMR) you will use in your clinic. This is a product that you will be using every day, for years. So you need to make sure you get the right product for your needs.
(EMR: "A systematized collection of patient and population electronically-stored health information in a digital format. These records can be shared across different health care settings." (1) (2))
So you will inevitably ask;
HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS SOFTWARE FOR ME?
Well the team over at Tech Nikel has outlined a number of great considerations that you should factor in your assessment of each platform. Here are their suggestions on what to consider;
(Originally Posted Here: https://www.technikel.ca/2019/09/13/choosing-the-right-emr-system/ )
Medical professionals should always strive to give the utmost care to their patients, not only through proper diagnosis and treatment but with the best ancillary healthcare services as well. These are improved by the use of electronic medical records (EMRs). EMRs eliminate paper charts by digitally storing patients' medical history and treatment. EMR systems lead to major health care savings and reduce medical errors. To get your healthcare practice ready for an EMR system, here are considerations to take note of.
Determine your requirements
EMR software offers a vast selection of functions — and you don’t want to pay for one that is irrelevant to your practice. Avoid this by making a list of all requirements from the ground up. Be process-oriented and begin from patient admission, then move on to patient scheduling, medication lists, visual reports, and so on. Prioritize the features that would bring the most value to your practice.
Get the appropriate EMR for your specialty
EMR systems with broad functions may not offer the specific features that you need. On the other hand, the right EMR system can be customized to suit your specialties and provide a familiar workflow. For instance, doctors who specialize in midwifery will need a unique EMR platform designed for logging in a newborn’s medical details.
Simple usability
EMRs should help healthcare professionals manage their patients. Usability issues can hinder this, so how will you know if your EMR solution is easy to use? Try out the demo version and test a few common functions that will assist you in your everyday routine. You should be able to figure out how to use it more or less right away. You’ll also need your staff to be able to catch up quickly, so simplicity helps a lot when implementing a new system.
Support and upgrades
Reputable sellers usually provide 24/7 support, which is beneficial as most likely you’ll come across technical problems at some point. You never know when you might need someone ready to answer questions late at night. And when it comes to software, support often includes upgrades with new features and bug fixes. Find out more about your potential vendor’s track record in giving quality care and consistent software updates.
Vendor viability
Take into account your vendor’s plans for the future before buying their EMR product. You’re not just buying from your vendor, but you’re also creating a long-term relationship with them. Remember that technology is always changing, as are medical regulatory standards. Make sure that your vendor has good customer relations and that they have the ability to invest in future development. After all, EMR implementation can be costly and you don’t want to be making major changes to your EMR system every few months.
One thing that we would add in is; don't rush your decision. The right EMR will be integral to your success and can enhance or take away from your work life experience. Take the time to consider what you need and evaluate all your vendor options. Get a Demo, ask questions, ask your colleagues and do your due diligence. Just because one piece of software is being used in one (or many clinics) doesn't mean it will be the right fit for you. Take the time to get the decision right from the beginning.
When evaluating the vendor, you might want to consider who designed the software. Arya EHR was Designed by Doctors, for Doctors. Our three founders are all physicians that use our platform everyday. They designed it to improve physician efficiency and reduce the time they spend in their EMR. Want to see how it works? Contact us to learn why physicians are calling Arya EHR the Best Electronic Medical Software in Canada!
Email us to setup a Demo: info@aryaehr.com
Looking for a more comprehensive guide to assessing EMRs in Canada. The Doctors of BC have published an extensive PDF Guide on their website which can be viewed here: