What Providers Need to Know About EHR Replacement

According to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, as of 2017, 86% of office-based physicians had an EHR system in place. But while most providers have adopted an EHR platform, not every provider is satisfied. This conclusion comes from a Reaction Data report which found that 27% of outpatient providers are seeking to replace their EHR in the next 18 months.

So, why are providers so unhappy with their existing EHRs, and what are they looking for in their replacement?

Inside the Report: Why Providers Want to Replace Their EHR

The Reaction Data report claims the primary reason that providers want to replace their EHR is that it simply doesn’t meet their needs (33%). Others cited better value with alternatives (20%), dissatisfaction with the system’s service model and support (19%), and lack of new functionality (18%). Price was also an issue, but less important at 5%.

Additionally, a study by PLOS indicates that physicians and clinicians have struggled for some time with EHR design and functionality limitations, suggesting these impediments are impacting patient care as users face challenges assessing information, affecting efficiency.

Also, in many cases, practices are utilizing one system for EHRs and different software for billing, resulting in staffs spending inordinate amounts of time in the capture of vital billing data. This interface between billing and the EHR is critical for providers, providing smooth, simplified data integration to streamline practice processes.

So, what is most important to EHR users? Well, both the PLOS study and the Reaction Data report agree that users cite the following as necessary elements to an effective EHR platform:

• Ease of use
• Features and functionality
• Interoperability and integration
• Vendor alignment with provider’s business strategy

Making the Switch? Why You Need to Carefully Research EHRs

If you are ready to begin the process to replace your EHR vendor, then it’s imperative to do your due diligence. You’ll want to assess the vendor based on many factors:

• Determine your EHR goals: What does the system need to do to meet goals, such as increased efficiency or interoperability?
• Look at the features in-depth: Do they meet your needs? Will the system allow you to achieve both meaningful use and practice goals?
• Make critical decisions: These may include where the data will reside or how the system integrates (making these decisions early can help weed out unsupportable products).
• Create a list: Start by reviewing vendors on the Certified HIT Product List (CHPL); ask colleagues for their opinion.
• Design a Request for Information (RFI): Seek answers to your questions such as full functionality, interoperability options, implementation model, on-going support, HIE capabilities, and total cost of ownership. (ChartLogic’s EHR Buying Questions whitepaper provides guidance with questions related to the user experience, note creation, HL7-compliance, and more.)
• Compare and evaluate vendors: Use RFI’s to assess competing systems.
• Conduct demos: See how the system works, whether it provides the features you expect, and if it offers easy use and flexible functionality.
• Ask for references: Ensure the vendor has a long history of providing quality solutions and service.

ChartLogic: The Preferred EHR Replacement

ChartLogic is proud to have developed the first Meaningful Use Certified EMR in the country and has expanded our software over the years to a complete EHR suite used by thousands of providers every day. ONC-ACB certified in accordance with the Secretary of Health and Human Services criteria, the system was designed to capture the clinical encounter electronically without impeding workflow. Intuitive and easy-to-use, the ChartLogic EHR allows you to chart more efficiently by using your voice.

Features That Make All the Difference

• Custom templates for note taking
• Voice dictation (use your voice to dictate notes as well as navigate through them)
• Electronically prescribe medications to minimize errors
• Streamline lab processes with accessibility to facilities across the country
• Patient tracking (identify who they are, why they are visiting your office, and how long they’ve been waiting)
• Instant replies for inbound and outbound referrals
• Data share across multiple locations

If you, like many other providers, are not happy with your EHR vendor, it’s time to make a meaningful change. Find the functionality, features, service, and value your organization deserves with ChartLogic.

See for yourself the difference that ChartLogic’s EHR system has made for several healthcare providers by reviewing our case studies, or experience how it works with a live demo today.