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Benefits of an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Software


The Value Proposition

Once a medical office starts using an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software, paper charting is virtually eliminated. All clinical charting is done on the computer, or in the case of Abraxas EMR electronic medical records software, on a wireless pen tablet computer, at the point of care. The following lists some of the benefits realized by medical offices that use sophisticated electronic medical record software, such as Abraxas EMR software , offering electronic charting, electronic prescription, document management and other solutions:


Increased Revenues

  • Avoid lost charges: Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software can increase revenues by capturing charges for all services performed and avoid lost revenues. Using the traditional paper charts, many services performed in a physician’s office become lost and never get billed for.
  • Maximize Billings: Providers who use advanced Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software can increase revenues by maximizing E&M billing codes that the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software will suggest based on the service being accurately documented, without the fear of an audit. Using paper charts, to be on the safe side of the law, many physicians down code (use a lower billing code), rather than proper coding. Medical Economics magazine has estimated that physicians who routinely down-code to avoid audits, lose an average of $40,000 annually.
  • Increase sources of income: Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software can allow providers to apply for enhanced sources of revenue from various payers associated with higher quality of care, such as DOQ-IT (Doctors’ Office Quality-Information Technology.

Reduced Expenses

  • Lower labor cost: A typical medical office employs billing and clerical staff such as appointment schedulers, medical billers, collectors, file clerks, etc. While labor costs are soaring, Electronic Medical Records (EMR)s can significantly reduce the labor needed for the functions mentioned above. For example, office staff time will no longer be necessary to hunt down records or file patient charts. Data entry for billing purposes is minimized. Multi-user access will allow staff to access and update patient records simultaneously; saving time that would otherwise would be spent in waiting for access to patient records. Patient Portal module allows patients themselves to enter much of their own demographic, insurance, social, history, and other data into the software directly, saving the office staff all that data entry.
  • Avoid transcription costs: Many physicians pay hefty fees for transcription of their medical charts. Electronic charting virtually eliminates transcription costs, since all medical charts are created electronically at the time of patient’s visit.
  • No more paper charts: Once an office successfully converts to electronic medical records, all costs associated with purchasing, storing or destroying paper charts can be eliminated. Additionally, the space typically used for paper patient charts can be utilized for additional exam rooms, or increased office space, resulting in a more profitable use of resources.

Reduced Malpractice Costs

The cost of malpractice insurance is constantly rising. Healthcare providers may be able to save on their malpractice insurance costs if they are using an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software. Industry sources indicate that certain insurance companies may reduce malpractice premiums as much as 10 percent for use of an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software, due to lower exposure to medical errors.


Reduced Medical Errors

A sophisticated Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software can reduce medical errors in many areas including the following:

  • Misdiagnosis associated with improper documentation, lost medical records, etc.;
  • Treating outside of current clinical guidelines;
  • Medication conflict with allergies, other medications or medical conditions;
  • Illegible handwriting which can result in interpretation errors;

Improved Quality of Care

With use of EMR software, quality of care could be improved in numerous ways. Consider the following:

  • Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software can provide decision support at the point of care;
  • EMR software can be used to track patient’s follow-up activity, patient’s compliance with provider’s orders, and patient’s progress;
  • Conditional clinical alerts can be set to notify the providers of drug interactions, allergies, latest disease management protocols, etc.;
  • In the event of a drug recall, using EMR software would allow healthcare providers to immediately contact each of their patients who is currently taking a recalled medication;
  • EMR software can facilitate disease management activities by features such as “Outcomes Analysis”, which is the analysis of data collected from a group of patients;
  • Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software allows for better flow of information and enhanced communication with patients, providers and staff, all resulting in improvement in quality of care;
  • EMR software can improve physician’s efficiency, so that more quality time can be spent with the patient rather than on paperwork demands;

Improved Documentation and Accuracy

  • Test and Lab results, ECGs/EKGs, and X-rays can all be entered into an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software, and become part of the patient’s record, reducing the risk of data entry error and omissions;
  • Electronic Medical Records (EMR)s remove the problem of illegibility of patient notes and prescription since the information is stored electronically;
  • More comprehensive documentation can be provided to referring sources;

Better Access to Medical Information

  • With an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) software in place, a clinician can have access to a patient’s file remotely from home, another office, hospital’s emergency room, etc. This improved access to a patient record can be invaluable, especially when the clinician is away from the office or when emergency access is needed;
  • Around the medical office, patient information is immediately accessible, which can save every doctor hours per week that would normally have been spent waiting for charts to be delivered;
  • Multiple staff can access the patient chart simultaneously, where paper charts can only be in one place at a time;
  • With an EMR software in place, lost or misplaced charts are a problem of the past;

Enhanced Security

The issue of HIPAA (Health Information Portability and Accountability Act) compliance has become more and more important. Violations can be costly, with penalties running into thousands of dollars. Electronic Medical Records (EMR) softwares can assist with HIPAA compliance and security concerns as follows:

  • Electronic Medical Records software can restrict access to specific portions of the medical record;
  • EMR software can be programmed to have multiple levels of access for office personnel based on job function;
  • EMR software can have audit trails that identify anyone who has accessed, added to or changed a medical record;
  • Exposure due to charts left inadvertently in accessible areas is minimized;

Increased Time Efficiency

Once clinical workflow is automated, most tasks are done in a fraction of the time previously required. Thus, more patients are rendered better care in less time.