What are the Key EHR Training Strategies?

Too many practices are struggling with performance and productivity issues in the use of their EHRs.  In many cases, the real problem is the strategy and process around the training of staff and physicians.  Failure to focus the training strategy on your practice and not the EHR product can lead to a variety of problems that will damage your efforts for years to come.

Why Do You Need to Attain Meaningful Use by December 31, 2013?

The final rule for Stage 2 Meaningful Use (MU) presents a number of strategic challenges for practices that are attaining Meaningful Use and places those practices that will not meet Meaningful Use at a significant disadvantage.

How Can You Achieve and Attest to Meaningful Use?

In order to qualify for the Medicare EHR Incentive, you have to attest that each Eligible Provider (EP) meets the Meaningful Use requirements. The two key issues are how can you get a provider to work up to the MU Measure Requirements and how can you document the same for your Eligible Providers.

How does Your EHR Calculate Meaningful Use Measures?

In order to support Meaningful Use (MU) attestation, you need supporting documentation for each measure by Eligible Provider (EP).  The reports from you EHR will be the reference point for documenting your compliance with many MU Measures.  However, the MU measure calculations can dramatically different from EHR to EHR.

How Does Stage 2 Meaningful Use Relate to Stage 1?

Your Meaningful Use (MU) Strategy will have a significant impact on your ability to avoid extra work and disruption to your operation.  One of the most important issues to consider in your EHR and MU strategy is the Proposed Stage 2 MU Measures.  The proposed  Stage 2 Measures provide important insights into what you should choose as your Stage 1 Menu Items and even your EHR product and implementation plan

This following table presents the Stage 1 and 2 Measures in a way that will help you analyze the effect of Stage 2 on MU and focus your strategy to avoid problems:  

Why Should You Care about Deidentified Information?

According to the HIPAA Security and Privacy standard, your practice is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of Protected Health Information.  Unfortunately, a number of vendors and other parties want access to your information and are placing the confidentiality of your business information and even your patient information at risk.

Do You Have HIPAA Security and Privacy Exposure?

With the focus on Meaningful Use Measures, many practices are neglecting procedures and policies needed to comply with HIPAA Security and Privacy.  The recently announced $100,000 settlement with a 5 doctor Phoenix based practice should trigger a closer look at your own compliance situation.

How Reliable are your EHR Patient Notes?

A disturbing number of EHR issues and medical professional liability claims are based on serious problems with exam notes and other clinical documentation recorded in an EHR.  Regardless of the legitimacy of care and treatment, the inappropriate use of EHRs and/or EHR design vulnerabilities are exposing physicians to questions on the quality of care and physician due diligence.  Some key areas to consider follow:

What Should You Do with a Failing EHR?

Unfortunately, you need to protect your practice and your patients against a failing EHR.  Some recent examples demonstrate the vulnerability of any practice to a failing EHR:

An EHR cloud service added customers which resulted in substantial delays for the physicians in the practice.