As practices move towards the integration of more information in their EHR systems, a question that frequently comes up is how much information should be incorporated from imaging and radiology studies. This information is usually available in three primary formats: A narrative report received either as a faxed document or scanned into a commonly used…

For most medical practices, a local hospital interface that allows patient information to be sent and received can be a great benefit when trying to proactively coordinate and manage patient care. In an effort to improve patient care and reduce health system costs, new care models such as Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and Patient Centered…

E-Prescribing use has been increasing, especially with the imposition of the Medicare penalty for the failure to e-prescribe under MIPPA, and the Meaningful Use incentive program. For those not familiar with the e-prescribing penalty I suggest that you read Deadline to Submit Hardship Exemptions to Avoid the 2012 e-Rx Penalty Extended. You still have six…

I have been hearing from an increasing number of physicians and practices that they have been turned down by the EHR vendor of their choice or are faced with a long wait time before the vendor can install the system. All of the practices I have heard from were relatively small (under 10 physicians) and…

About a year ago, a frantic doctor called me to discuss what steps he should take. Due to a technical malfunction, his practice had lost all of its medical records. During our conversations it became clear that his seven-doctor practice in rural Colorado had been using an EHR system for the past 10 years, and…

If your front office does not operate efficiently, it has a negative ripple effect throughout your entire practice. The Meaningful Use program, mandatory E-Prescribing, and health system reform initiatives at the state level are taking their toll on many practices. The transition towards Electronic Health Records and adaptation to new workflow processes is creating significant…