Key Benefits & Potential Challenges of EHR Implementation

The benefits of EHR implementation can be realized by having an experienced partner to guide you through the challenges along the long and complicated way. Any time you implement an EHR system, consider clinical content offerings and usability issues as well as how you will manage the costs while keeping your providers happy and records secure.  

With so many factors to consider, as you plan and implement your electronic health records system, let’s first explore more about what EHR is, how it can benefit your organization, and what some of the challenges might be. Then, you’ll see just how important TempDev can help you achieve the benefit of a successful EHR implementation so you can continue to grow.

What Is EHR?  

Electronic health records (EHRs) store the doctor’s notes (including diagnoses, allergy information, laboratory and test results, and other treatment records) for each patient. The biggest value of an EHR is that physicians and nurses can quickly access key health information all in one place. Here are some benefits of what a good EHR implementation includes:  

When you consider implementing these areas of functionality, you need to develop a project plan, design your data architecture, build and test, and then roll out with comprehensive training. With so much at stake, you need the best. TempDev offers the technical know-how and comprehensive support services to walk you through the entire process. The benefits of EHR implementation speak for themselves.  

Benefits of EHR Implementation

While you probably already know many of the benefits of EHRs, it’s still important to see it all in one place. The advantages of electronic health records don’t just affect the doctors and how they interact with patients. You’ll see the obvious ramifications in the cost-savings and efficiency factors across your organization.  

Improved Performance and Productivity 

Electronic health records support the workflow of your health workers and physicians, which is why you’ll also notice that they’re more productive with improved performance. While that sounds great, the nuts and bolts of it are that your staff and doctors spend less time on cumbersome paperwork and more time on treating patients.  

On the admin side, simple tasks will be automated, which allows your staff to spend less time on creating and updating documents, organizing and reviewing patient records, and making appointment reminders. While there’s some overlap between EHR systems and practice management systems, the good news is that TempDev can offer consulting services with both solutions for your organization.  

Higher Quality Patient Care 

The EHR system offers a level of seamless functionality that makes life easier for everyone in your organization, but it also supports the needs of your patients. Your patients can access their health records 24/7, so they can easily share their treatment history with other medical professionals.  

Beyond the ease of access to their patient data, patients appreciate how easy it is to access educational materials related to ongoing medical conditions. They can request electronic prescriptions and even ask medical questions without the phone tag exercise. TempDev understands the importance of engaging with your patients and offering the quality of care they trust and rely on.  

Faster and Easier Data Processing With Better Communication  

With electronic health records, your health workers can use less paperwork. That means you’ll print out fewer paper forms and you’ll need less storage space to track all those physical copies. Instead, you’re moving toward a more environmentally friendly, sustainable model for your organization.  

You don’t need duplicates of forms, because your patients will have access to what they need, but you’re also minimizing the effects of lost clinical instructions, misplaced educational materials, and misunderstandings regarding diagnostic details.  

Ensure Cost-Effective Measures 

EHR systems streamline your workflow, but they also help to make your practice more efficient. By redesigning your workflow, you’re able to identify current gaps and bottlenecks, minimize disruptions, and test new workflows that can better serve your organization. At TempDev, our goal is to help you get the most out of your EHR and EPM systems, which will continue to save you time and money.  

Easier Integration of EHR and EPM Systems 

With TempDev’s consulting on EHR and EPM systems, you and your team are more efficient as you manage everyday tasks like booking appointments, billing the patient, and filling out the chart data. Studies show that electronic health records integration will increase patient satisfaction and engagement.  

With TempDev’s NextGen templates, dashboards, and reports, you can easily support the needs of your patients while being more efficient. While you’re at it, you’ll have a team of experts to help you design and organize the whole system, with tips for best practices and training that will ensure that you’re up-to-speed and effective in your operations as quickly as possible.  

Disadvantages of Electronic Health Records 

While you’ve heard more about all the advantages of electronic health records, there are some drawbacks as well. Here are a few of the challenges you may face as you implement an EHR system.  

Time and Resources Required 

A successful EHR system implementation doesn’t happen overnight, despite your best efforts. It takes time, and it can be expensive to effectively implement an EHR system. This cost factor is even more true if you’re looking to implement all the features and functionality that you’d like to use in your organization.  

Issues With Interoperability 

It would be nice if all computer systems and data structures played nicely together, but they’re not always compatible. What that means for you is that you’ll need to take the time to make sure that you can integrate your essential medical records and other essential systems you need to communicate with.  

This interoperability issue may not be something you’ll need to worry about, since many systems are much more compatible than ever before, but it’s worth a mention. You need to make sure that you can successfully share the essential data you need with the new electronic health records system.  

How TempDev Can Help You Realize the Benefits of Your EHR Implementation

TempDev’s NextGen consultants, developers, and trainers can help you implement, switch, or even upgrade your EHR system. From dashboards and revenue cycle consulting to automation and workflow redesign, TempDev offers the tools you need to make the most of your NextGen EHR system, with top tips and tricks that will ensure your success now and in the future. 

Contact us here or call us at 888.TEMPDEV to schedule a consultation and find out how we can help you implement your NextGen EHR system.