Your current or future Electronic Medical Record (EMR) productivity software integrates into every aspect of running your Long-Term Care or Home Care facility. You would not rush the care of your patients. Likewise, you should not rush the process of evaluating and selecting the EMR software that best fits your facility needs. While the evaluation phase can be difficult, the the following criteria will help navigate how to choose the right EMR software for your facility:
Integration
You do not want to cut corners on integration. An EMR software has the capabilities of integrating your facility with every key stakeholder — internally and externally — and every aspect of effectively running your organization. Many EMR platforms were built to manage only a few narrow processes, such as patient intake, with additional modules built later to increase capabilities. While this form of solution-building may tick the boxes on your wish list, there may be elements of each module that run as independent applications and cannot truly be integrated. For example, your TeleHealth and Family Communication capabilities shouldn’t simply be add-ons.
In your diligence stage, we recommend you check to see what that integration looks like. Is it a series of patches and workarounds that could lead to delays and complications down the road? Your investigation of the right EMR solution should lead you towards a comprehensive suite of fully integrated modules working together in a single application. Everything in AccessEMR Nursing Home and AccessEMR Home Care works together as seamlessly as your facility’s team of care providers.
Cost vs Benefit
The monthly and onboarding costs for various EMR software solutions may vary immensely. Some have attractive entry-level pricing with rates increasing as you add solutions and capabilities. Others have all the capabilities your facility could ever need and a price tag to match. The options are extensive, and it may seem difficult to determine which EMR application is best for your team. We recommend you concentrate on the capabilities your team needs and your budget — not just the software costs but onboarding, training, and maintenance/support costs. Keep in mind, this is a tool that should make your facility run more effectively and efficiently.
We mentioned previously that you should avoid non-integrated solutions. However, modular EMR solutions like AccessEMR solve for integration and customization simultaneously. What aspects of your facility are crucial for you to streamline? Make sure you find a solution that meets that at the very minimum. If other bells and whistles are available as a value-add without adding significant cost to the purchase, then that is a bonus. Typically, modular EMR solutions allow you to grow into the right solution over time.
Maintenance and Support
Most EMR applications today are cloud-based, with no local installations needed. However, unforeseen issues may arise from time to time. There will still be a need for constant training for new modules and new staff. Ensure the company you opt with offers full technical support for your EMR. It should not merely be present but also easy to access and readily available.
Informatics
Your staff are trained experts in providing care for your patients, so it is safe to say they are not also informatics specialists. The EMR software you choose should assist your team in predicting outcomes and providing a better, safer environment for your patients. It should assist you with building trend reports so you can make better business and clinical decisions. Your criteria should include pre-built trend reporting templates and easy-to-use customization for specific reports you need. When you are attending demo presentations, ensure you see this for yourself.
Want to learn more?
Access eHealth Technologies is committed to providing EMR solutions tailored to the needs of your individual facility. Book a demo with us today and learn more about how AccessEMR can help you and your facility.