Saturday, August 20, 2011

3 Ways To Profit From Your EMR Software



If you're a medical practitioner, your practice is very likely similar to most every other medical practice in North America - it's busy. In truth, "busy" may be a massive understatement in many cases, especially without EMR software. Consider that everyday (except weekends for fortunate practices), a medical practitioner may see double (or even triple) digit numbers of patients, and with each patient there are diagnoses, X-rays, laboratory tests and prescriptions that must be prescribed. It's enough to drive some doctors batty.

Managing a practice is difficult as it is with a full computerized practice management and EMR software system, but doing it on paper makes operating completely ridiculous. Yet, despite the fact that we are coming into the second decade of the 21st century, many physicians still manage their practices without the assistance of any computerization, which creates lots of unnecessary stress. It's a simple fact - for the small medical practice or clinic to succeed in today's highly competitive healthcare industry, you're going to need help from at least an EMR software system. But when you're trying to find a system, and need practice management assistance as well, what features should be top of mind?

Put It On Automatic - EMR software certainly isn't going to run your medical practice or clinic by itself. But, it will put a lot of current tasks (such as needless typing of appointment letters and billing statements) on the fast track to true efficiency. One idea many physicians do not realize, however, is that the highest quality EMR software systems are rarely just "out of the box". The informed medical practitioner can have custom features added on during the adoption process, as needs arise. The limits to those features are only the imagination at this point, as products are already very advanced.

Billing And Accounting Integration - By installing your EMR software in combination with a fully featured medical billing software system, you also can use business management features that keep you informed of your practice's bottom line. Creating reports that outline and detail not only the demographics of your patients, but their missed payments, enablemedical practitioners to get a clear view of cash flows and where non-payments are occurring. Being able to view the complete financial condition of your practice with the click of a mouse is a boon to any medical practitioner or medical office manager.

Customizability - Any EMR software shop who answers a "Can your software do this...?" question with a "no, can't happen" probably isn't your best choice. It's software, silly, and the main thing with software is that developers can always stretch the boundaries of their applications to where they need to be to satisfy their clients. Be reasonable, of course, but asking for interface changes, custom electronic medical record templates and quick-click features for any practice management or EMR software is not too much to ask - this is the case where a "yes-man" that executes properly may be your best friend.

Managing a medical office with basic paper records has become more difficult as American patient demographics change with time. More patients to help means less time for you, and any tool that builds practice efficiency is a good one. electronic medical records software is a major boon for medical practitioners looking to build efficiency and compete, and will continue to be a force for some time to come.



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