EHR Woes: Misconceptions of Needs Hinder Interoperability

Written by Ronny Bachrach on August 10, 2015. Posted in Digital Radiography and PACS, E.H.R., Software

Electronic health record software showed a lot of promise back in 2008 when former U.S. President George W. Bush established the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, and encouraged the switch from paper to digital records. However, the implementation of the program has not been as simple as Bush, the ONC and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had hoped. Before EHR software can truly improve patient care and cut costs, vendors and health care providers must work together to create a user-friendly platform.

What EHR problems do providers face?
EHR software has changed the way doctors and nurses do their jobs. Instead of pen and paper, they now must take notes and follow guidelines on the computer. While this is meant to create a more efficient process, it may actually cause problems, according to researchers from MedStar Health. In their study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, the investigators found that only four out of 11 EHR vendors that participated completely understood the needs of health care providers. The rest of them either do not fully meet people’s necessities or are not compatible with the job functions.

However, health care providers cannot easily switch to a new EHR vendor, Black Book Market Research explained. Approximately 70 percent of participants in the company’s recent poll noted that costs play a large role in the decision. The CMS’ requirements in the EHR Incentive Program also prevent providers from searching for a more adaptable platform. Some medical professionals may have had to switch to digital systems before they were ready.

Can vendors fix EHR issues?
For EHR interoperability to work, health care providers need software that is both collaborative and communicative. According to Black Book Market Research’s poll of 5,700 small and solo medical practices, 83 percent prefer cloud-based software. The program’s quick ability to update and allow for customization makes it popular among health care providers. User satisfaction has jumped from 13 percent in 2012 to 81 percent today.

“The focus of health care technology vendors needs to be on mobile, cloud and data integration to successfully meet the future demands of the changing health care landscape, ” said Doug Brown, managing partner of Black Book. “The bigger issues of interoperability and population health outcomes, quality of care reporting and ICD-10 have framed the third generation EHR vendor, and the majority of small practices plan to increase their investment in the advancements made by their current cloud-based vendor.”

Cloud-based software is not the only answer. It has its own setbacks, such as not being available if the network is down. On-premise programs can be just as beneficial if vendors take the time to survey health care providers and design with those needs in mind, the American Medical Association explained. EHR software should work alongside medical professionals as opposed to forcing providers to change their ways to fit the program. The platform should simplify the workflow instead of creating more obstacles for employees in the doctors’ office or hospitals.

EHR interoperability can offer countless benefits to health care providers. The software can speed up care, improve patient satisfaction and cut costs if implemented correctly. However, the platforms require changes and standardization to meet the needs of doctors and nurses before they can truly be successful. When EHR software vendors take the time to study medical professionals and understand what abilities they require in their programs, they will be able to provide platforms that accommodate any need doctors have.

Contact Viztek for more information.

Ronny Bachrach

Ronny Bachrach

Marketing Director at Viztek LLC
Responsible for all marketing activities including, press, advertising, trade show coordination, website management, dealer and customer communications.
Ronny Bachrach
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