A variety of funding assistance options now exist for doctors and hospitals that have decided to implement a new electronic medical record (EMR) software system. In fact, the federal government has allocated $34 billion in stimulus money (estimated to provide $44,000 per physician over five years) to encourage medical facilities to adopt EMRs, while some states have also introduced their own incentive programs. The goal is to eventually allow medical professionals in every state to be able to access and exchange important patient medical information on a national system, but the first step is to implement EMRs in all facilities.

States like Kentucky and Louisiana have already created statewide initiatives to encourage the adoption of EMRs in an attempt to ensure that the state’s doctors and hospitals receive their portion of the stimulus funding, which will be given to states that implement widespread adoption by 2014. In order to receive funding, state offices are required by the federal government to oversee the implementation of EMRs among organizations that are involved in sharing patient health data.

The term ‘meaningful use’ is perhaps one of the most important issues surrounding federal reimbursement for EMR adoption, so it is crucial for doctors and hospitals to determine whether or not the EMR software systems they are considering will meet the requirements set forth by the Health IT Policy Committee. As a rule of thumb, start by making sure the system is tested and certified by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT), which is federally supported by the stimulus law.

Medicaid and Medicare are also providing incentives for EMR adoption in the form of bonuses between $44,000 and $63,750. In addition, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act calls for cuts in Medicaid reimbursements for doctors and hospitals that refuse to adopt an electronic medical record system. Many experts agree that these Medicaid penalties may do more to encourage EMR adoption by 2015 than many other incentives.

Regardless of the challenges that still surround the implementation of digital recordkeeping systems in medical facilities, EMRs are a necessary step to improve the quality of patient care. In addition, data will become available for study that has never been accessible before, which will allow doctors and other researchers to analyze patient information in new ways and, ultimately, will positively impact medical research and the entire future of medical care.

When a medical facility has decided to adopt a new EMR software system, there are several important points to consider. Price, certification and usability are all critical factors, as is compatibility with any existing systems. By doing a bit of research prior to implementation, doctors and hospitals can ensure maximum effectiveness and high levels of staff and patient satisfaction with the transition.

Perhaps most important, before you choose a specific EMR software package be sure to discover whether or not it’s certified by the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT). Although the development of the exact criteria for federal certification guidelines is still ongoing, the Health IT Advisory Committee has announced, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), that they plan to “grandfather in” software provided by vendors that have obtained CCHIT certification. This is important because Medicaid and Medicare are offering incentives for physicians and healthcare facilities that adopt eligible, certified digital recordkeeping systems.

It is also critical for EMR software systems to meet the unique needs of different doctors and hospitals. Practices that take the time to fully understand their current demands, but also try to anticipate potential future requirements, will ultimately experience a much higher success and satisfaction rate than facilities that act only on cost or other factors. A wide variety of features are available, including the collection of specific data regarding the staff to physician ratio, the average number of phone calls received daily, patient vital signs, drug allergies and prescriptions, to name only a few.

Of course, cost remains a major factor for many doctors and healthcare facilities that are considering the adoption of an EMR software system. In order to determine the best system for your budget, be sure to perform a cost-benefit analysis. Devoting the time to research this up front will prevent costly mistakes and help to ensure that you end up with a product that fulfills all of the facility’s current needs and can be scaled to meet future requirements as well. Also, be sure to look into government assistance programs that are available to help finance the adoption of new EMR software systems. Ultimately, the time and money that is saved will make it worth every minute you invest upfront.

Many physicians and other medical staff members often wonder why consultants typically recommend CCHIT certified electronic medical record (EMR) software. The answer is simple: Not only can certified software help facilities improve patient care systems and increase profits, but it also ensures that they receive efficient, highly reliable recordkeeping systems that will protect patient safety and privacy.

Certified EMRs are also encouraged by a provision in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which calls for cuts in Medicaid reimbursements to healthcare facilities and clinics that do not choose to adopt certified EMR software systems. In addition, Medicaid and Medicare are offering bonuses of up to $63,750 to assist independent clinics and other healthcare facilities in the adoption of certified EMRs.

Currently, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is in charge of selecting the criteria that separates a qualified EMR software system from one that is not eligible for monetary incentives. Although multiple certification bodies will continue to exist, all of them will use the criteria set forth by the HHS. While the selection of these criteria is currently still ongoing, vendors who were certified in 2008 by the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT) will be “grandfathered in,” according to the Health IT Advisory Committee, which is a group that is responsible for advising the HHS.

Due to time constraints, CCHIT has already moved forward with its new certification efforts, based on initial suggestions from the HIT Advisory Committee, instead of waiting for the federal government to define “meaningful use” requirements for EMRs. Healthcare providers will already have little time to choose and put to use new EMR software systems by the 2011 deadline, which they are required to meet in order to receive the maximum Medicaid and Medicare reimbursements as defined by ARRA.

For now, the consensus seems to be that EMR software should receive certification for reaching the minimum amount of criteria that are set forth by ARRA’s “meaningful use” stipulation, instead of demanding that it meet all of the requirements that have already been set forth by CCHIT’s existing certification. Regardless, the final decision has not been made on the exact requirements for certified EMR software, so reputable consultants are taking the safe route and typically recommend that clients choose CCHIT certified software, which should cover all the bases.

Electronic medical record (EMR) software systems can help to reduce clinical errors, thereby also reducing the likelihood of lawsuits, mainly by allowing medical facilities to provide timely and effective patient care. However, the use of EMRs can not only reduce or eliminate the expenditures of a facility that are inherent to tedious administrative tasks and manual filing systems, but they can also centralize medical records and provide medical professionals with universal remote access.

As a result, EMRs can significantly reduce the risk factor for doctors, hospitals and even insurance companies. Some estimates claim that close to 98,000 patients currently die each year due to preventable medical errors; a number that could be significantly reduced if medical facilities had universal access to the comprehensive medical history of each patient. This is a key factor that works to reduce the likelihood of lawsuits surrounding clinical errors.

Many proponents of EMR technology also contend that the use of digital recordkeeping systems in healthcare facilities will work to decrease malpractice insurance claims. This additional benefit is a natural product of the enhancements to patient safety that come with the implementation of EMRs. It’s simple: By reducing inefficiencies and preventing clinical errors, EMRs decrease the incidents of patient injuries and thereby reduce the number of malpractice claims that are filed.

Furthermore, the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT) has announced that it will continue to advocate for lower malpractice insurance premiums for physicians and healthcare facilities that successfully implement certified EMR software systems. CCHIT has also publicly asserted that the use of electronic medical records can enhance the quality and safety of patient care by providing diagnostic and therapeutic decision support, as well as built-in clinical alerts and reminders. Finally, CCHIT has stated that physicians and healthcare facilities that use EMRs may also improve the defense of malpractice incidents that do happen to arise, as the documentation process is drastically improved in digital recordkeeping systems.

Electronic medical records (EMRs) can help medical professionals and patients in a variety of ways, but to do this effectively it’s important that various EMR software systems maintain a level of continuity in the way they function. To accomplish this, the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT) provides guidelines for testing and certifying EMR IT systems.

A non-profit organization, CCHIT announced late last year that it would offer new testing programs owing to the current realities of the healthcare IT market, which was greatly impacted by the funding set aside for such endeavors by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. One of these new programs, known as Preliminary ARRA 2011 Certification, tests EMR software systems specifically for compliance with the limited criteria set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS). This certification will help to ascertain which systems meet ‘meaningful use’ criteria, used to determine which facilities will be eligible to receive a portion of the estimated $34 billion in federal stimulus money that has been set aside to digitize heath recordkeeping systems.

In addition, CCHIT will also offer a CCHIT Certified 2011 testing program that will employ a complex set of more than 300 criteria that has been compiled by the organization since its creation. The CCHIT Certified 2011 testing program will most likely closely resemble previous certification programs that have been developed by the organization, but will be adjusted so systems that pass will also meet ARRA criteria.

When it comes to an exact definition for ‘meaningful use’ of EMR software systems, it can be complicated, but CCHIT has worked hard to ensure that certified systems enable healthcare facilities to meet ‘meaningful use’ standards, and therefore qualify for federal stimulus subsidies. Therefore, it is essential for physicians and healthcare providers to take the time to make sure that any EMR software system they are considering meets these guidelines and has been properly certified.