The ABCs of EHR

An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a system of keeping electronic record of health-related information on an individual that conforms to nationally recognized interoperability standards and that can be created, managed, and consulted by authorized clinicians and staff across more than one health care organization.

Electronic health records are an essential part of health information infrastructure. Today, critical health related documents are mostly paper-based and they are practically impossible to share electronically. It wastes time and resources to capture this information over and over again when patients move, change insurance carriers, or see multiple providers. It can place patient safety and quality of life at risk when the details of diagnosis or treatment history are lost, overlooked, or can’t be retrieved in a timely manner.

EHR allows physicians and staff members to:

• Decrease and avoid transcription and other errors

• Limit record access according to requirements

• Access records from multiple locations

• Reduce coding and billing errors

• Increase efficiency and reduce costs, thereby increasing profitability of the practice or facility

• Improve the proper coding of patient encounters - defensible coding

• Provide backup documentation for Insurance company claims inquiries and malpractice allegations

• Comply with HIPAA

• Facilitate decision support, clinical trials, and research

As you get involved with electronic health records, one of the things you’ll hear about is the concept of “meaningful use”—part of the standards and criteria developed in the health IT field to encourage a smooth, productive transition to EHRs.

“Meaningful use” refers to the use of certified EHR technologies by health care providers in ways that measurably improve health care quality and efficiency. Ultimately, it is hoped that the meaningful use compliance will result in:

• Better clinical outcomes

• Improved population health outcomes

• Increased transparency and efficiency

• Empowered individuals

• More robust research data on health systems

Meaningful use sets specific objectives that eligible professionals (EPs) and hospitals must achieve to qualify for incentive programs. These objectives will evolve in three stages over the next five years:

1. 2011-2012 – Stage 1: Data capture and sharing

2. 2013 – Stage 2: Advance clinical processes

3. 2015 – Stage 3: Improved outcomes

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M&S Technologies has developed a cloud-based EHR system called EyeSimplify^TM that was designed specifically for the Pediatric Ophthalmologist. We will be unveiling this thorough, easy-to-use system at the AAPOS annual meeting in San Antonio, March 25-27. Stop by our booth, or call our office anytime to learn more about EyeSimplify!

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