3 Brands of Electronic Medical Records - Essay Example

EMR offers a solution to these difficulties through the streamlining of work, increased efficiency, much better documentation, reduction in the risk of malpractice, and by which improved profitability is possible (1).

Comparison of Three Brands of Electronic Medical Records

          A wide range of EMR software is available from different service providers under different brand names. Factors that are pertinent in the evaluation of different brands of software are the presence of the required features of efficiency, risk reduction, and quicker payment resolution; the ease with which the users can learn to operate these features and employ these features in their daily activities; the security features for the security of the data on patients; and the comparative cost implications. (1).

          The brands chosen for evaluation are LeonardoMD, Visionary Dream EHR, and MicroMD EMR software. There are no reliable comparative studies to fall back on for this evaluation, and so the evaluation has to be based on the claims of the manufacturers.

LeonardoMD 

          This software incorporates a clinical document management system, with templates present allowing for an easy transition into a paperless office, and the provisions for pulling out data information on patients and making the appropriate additions. Quick access to record, route tasks, and orders to expedite patient care is present, with routing all this to the pertinent individuals or departments. Quick creation of bills with the correct medical coding incorporated and medical claims can be speedily managed from any location. The payment collection process is streamlined through the electronic ANSI 835 – HIPAA Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA) and ready-to-use report formats are available to meet the needs of quick reporting. A fully customizable medical scheduling software is available that enables tracking of everything including patients, doctors, rooms, and equipment. This software also has the facility for automated patient and referral management and management of appointments. This is a web-based EMR solution, with the benefit of easy access to data by either Sarasota Outpatient Clinic or Gulf View Associates. In addition, the security and confidentiality of patient records provisions go beyond HIPAA stipulations. (2). A web-based solution reduces the initial capital investment as there is a minimal investment in terms of data storage devices, access facilities, space for the same, and maintenance. However, monthly rental fees, along with joining and leaving fees are charged. In addition are training and support fees. Furthermore, there is the issue of stable web access and the relevant costs. The usage fees change upwards based on usage and the import and export of new data are charged. The initial setup fees are likely to total $1000, with a monthly rental of $300, which will go up as more users are added on and the quantum of import and export of data increases. The overall cost per physician is $ 14,000. (3).

Visionary Dream EHR

          The Visionary Dream HER is another web-based EMR solution that offers the benefits of any web-based solution in terms of initial investments and easy access from any location. In this solution, there is a balance between technology and human interaction that makes for an intuitive, easy-to-use, and secure system. The solution has been designed to offer to track patient flow, chronicling of patient histories, and creation of new patient records through user-specific templates. (4). Templates have also been provided so that all the daily activities of patient report generation, storage, and retrieval are compliant with HIPAA regulations. (5). The initial charges will be $1000, and an overall cost of $12,700 per physician. (6).

MicroMD

          The MicroMD is a multi-faceted EMR. It allows easy access to patient data and history; comprehensive evaluation and management coding; HIPAA compliance; availability of patient data by nature of medical professional; marking of imaging reports; pre-built templates for ease of use without the requirement of IT professionals intervention; interface facility with other medical devices for updating of patient data without manual intervention; and comes as a scalable version that allows starting with a lesser user facility that can be upgraded to add users conveniently. (7). The overall cost starting with 125 physicians for this EMR software is $7,500. (6).

Conclusion

          Based on the comparison the recommendation is for using the MicroMD at Sarasota Outpatient Clinic, as it has more or less the same benefit as the other two EMR solutions. In addition, it comes with a low start-up cost, which can be upgraded as the Sarasota Outpatient Clinic expands.