The use of electronic health record (EHR) software has been on the rise in healthcare practices and among providers. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 96 percent of all non-federal acute care hospitals and nearly 4 in 5 office-based physicians have implemented a certified EHR system as of 2021.  

However, even though initial implementation has been successful, it's not always easy. It can be a challenging task to dedicate the necessary time, resources, and cooperation from the entire practice, which can impact the effectiveness of the system. Nonetheless, the benefits of EHR systems are undeniable and can lead to better patient care, improved communication among healthcare providers, and more efficient record-keeping. 

However, as the adoption of EHR is increasing, misconceptions about these systems are also increasing. These misconceptions strongly impact the decision-making process of new practices that are planning to switch to EHR systems. In this article, we will discuss 05 common misconceptions and the actual facts associated with them.  

Does Your Practice Need An EHR System? 

Before diving into the details of the misconceptions, the important question is whether you actually need an EHR system. 

The answer is yes; from complaince, productivity enhancement, cost reduction, and several other perspectives, an EHR system is now a need of every practice.  

Since 2009, when the HITECH Act mandated the adoption of EHR and supporting technology, administrators have been tasked with finding the best EHR solution for their practice. But when it comes to selecting an Electronic Health Records (EHR) platform, it's important to approach the process with an open mind and avoid forming preconceived opinions about the features and functionality you think you need. In doing so, you allow yourself the opportunity to discover new features and benefits that you may not have considered before. This approach can help ensure that you select an EHR platform that truly aligns with your specific needs and requirements, ultimately leading to a more positive and effective user experience. 

 5 Common Misconceptions About Implementing an EHR System 

Here are 05 common misconceptions and the actual facts associated with implementing an EHR system at your practice. 

1. EHRs aren’t Easy for an Entire Practice to Adopt.

A common pushback to implementing an EHR solution is that it will be too complicated, time-consuming, and counterproductive for all of the practice staff to adopt a new technology and process. 

The good news is you’ve got options. There are flexible EHR platforms that will actually make your job a lot easier and faster. Furthermore, specialty-specific EHRs will automatically adapt to your practice specialty and ensure an accurate workflow. 

2. An EHR Solution will be Myopic.

While people may think that whichever EHR you choose will serve one function, comprehensiveness is actually a significant benefit that you can take advantage of. 

Comprehensive EHR platforms will enable you to perform a number of activities — like scheduling, charting, and E-prescribing — from one central location. Not only will this allow you to fulfill all of your practice’s needs from a single place, but it’ll help you avoid using disparate systems and keep costs down. 

3. Your Process will not Improve.

If you think that implementing an EHR platform will decrease the efficiency of your workflow and your practice’s profitability, think again. Using a comprehensive, closed-loop system will actually enhance communication and transparency among your staff, boost productivity, minimize the risk of error, and ultimately ensure better patient outcomes. The right EHR solution will simplify and streamline your process. 

4. You will see no ROI.

If you’re hesitant to adopt an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system because you don’t think you’ll see a return on investment, know that this route can actually save you significant time and money. Implementing an EHR can improve your workflow efficiency by reducing the amount of time spent on manual tasks and increasing the accuracy of patient data. With an adaptable EHR, you can optimize your resources and run a much more productive practice. 

It’s important to note that there are cost-efficient EHR options available, and some platforms even include practice management features that can help enhance transparency in your practice and measure ROI instantly. Additionally, implementing an EHR can lead to improved patient outcomes and satisfaction, as well as better communication and collaboration between healthcare providers. Take the time to research different EHR options and consider the long-term benefits for your practice. 

5. EHR Implementation will take away from the Patient Experience.

All healthcare providers agree on the fact that every patient should get undivided attention and the highest level of care. One way to ensure that your patients receive the best care possible is by using an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. EHRs are designed to help you maintain strong patient relationships by providing you with a flexible, cloud-based, and specialty-specific tool that can help you personalize your services to your patients' needs. 

With EHRs, you can minimize errors and ensure that your patients receive the comprehensive care they deserve. EHRs are also designed to help improve patient satisfaction by streamlining administrative tasks, making appointment scheduling easier, and providing patients with easy access to their medical records. 

So, if you want to provide your patients with the best possible care, consider using a flexible, cloud-based, specialty-specific EHR system. It will help you uphold the level of personalization and comprehensiveness that your patients expect and deserve. 

Conclusion:
Understanding that an EHR solution with these capabilities is step one; opening the door to a brand new solution is step two. If you’re ready and willing to see how an EHR platform can benefit your practice, start your free trial of Practice EHR by Requesting A Free Demo!