It takes time, dedication and the right technology to run a successful medical practice in today’s healthcare industry. Implementing an electronic health record (EHR) has become essential in order for medical practices to grow their practice and provide a better care experience for their patients.

EHRs are given a bad reputation, but not all EHRs are created equal. With the right platform, medical practices can offer better, more efficient, patient-centered care and run a successful practice.

It takes time to research and compare what each platform brings to the table. However, there are ways to narrow down your selection to ensure you find one that is the right fit. Here are a few things to consider when selecting the right EHR for your practice.

• Cost

There’s a variety of price points for EHRs that vary based on what features you choose to include, the vendor you select, and how many providers are in your practice. Not all vendors are transparent about fees, so it’s important to get specific about what’s included in the price and what’s an additional cost. It’s ok if you don’t have a huge budget, there are EHRs on the market that provide a comprehensive platform for an affordable price.

• Meaningful Use Certification

Ensure that your EHR is Meaningful Use (MU) 2015 edition certified so that you can qualify to participate in the MU Incentive program. Ask vendors about their certification and how the software supports your practice in meeting program requirements. You can also check certification status here.

• Cloud-Based Accessibility

Your EHR should be cloud-based and provide access to an iPad friendly application. Unlike server-based systems, cloud-based EHRs do not require any hardware installation, maintenance, software licensing or IT staff, making them much more affordable and easily scalable for practice growth.

• Workflow

Perhaps one of the most important aspects of an EHR is workflow; a good workflow is key to practice efficiency. Look for an EHR with a simple workflow that your entire staff finds easy to use and clinical content created specifically for your specialty.

• Patient Engagement Tools

An EHR should provide you tools to help you easily engage and interact with patients to improve the patient experience. A good EHR will include tools like a user-friendly patient portal and a kiosk, where patients can check in and fill out forms from an iPad.

• Automation

A platform with built in automation will help your practice save time on tasks, such as appointment reminders, medication refills, and more. For instance, with voice recognition physicians can complete notes by voice. In addition, your front desk staff will love automated eligibility verification, which pulls a patient’s insurance status 24 hours before an appointment.

Selecting an electronic health record (EHR) platform is an important decision for your practice that can impact patient care, practice operations and practice financials. Practices should take the time to review the software in detail to find one that’s the right fit. Cost, meaningful use, mobile accessibility, workflow, patient engagement and automation are all important factors to consider. In addition, make sure to evaluate the EHR based on factors that are specifically important to your practice. By taking these steps, you’ll be sure to find an EHR that meets (or hopefully exceeds) your expectations.

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