50 PLUGGED IN / Electronic Medical Records
Every aspect of the practice needs to be critically evaluated, and the owner has to decide how the EMR will fit into that workflow.
“What information are you looking to
store? What are you looking to get out of the system? What kind of reports are you looking for? What kind of reports for cli- ents? What kind of reports for referrals? Look at all these issues.”
How does the practice work? Analyze your workflow and processes,
and decide how the EMRs will work in the system. You might have to make changes to adapt to an electronic system. For instance, does someone pull the
paper charts for the day and put them at the reception desk? That will not need to be done anymore. Instead, the technician might pull up the record on the computer when he or she takes the patient to the examination room. Does the veterinarian look for that
chart in a bin on the door to know the patient is waiting? The veterinarian will need another visual cue. How will the veterinarian order blood
work or other laboratory work, or ask for a technician’s assistance? Every aspect of the practice needs to
be critically evaluated, and the owner has to decide how the EMR will fit into that workflow.
Different veterinarians in a single
practice might have different protocols for treating common conditions. Now might be a good time to standardize practice protocols for common ailments. It will be easier when creating templates and patient education materials. This might also increase the efficiency of inventory management. Talk to the veterinarians, technicians
and receptionists, and develop a wish list of features the EMRs should have. Do not promise anything to anyone. You are gathering information, and everyone’s wants might not be accommodated. “Sometimes it is just a wish list,
and they won’t get everything that they want, but I encourage them to go through the exercise and prioritize. It will help them narrow down vendors,” says Dewitz. Make a plan and draw up a timeline
for training and implementation. “Those practices with the best laid-
out plans that say, ‘This is what we are going to do, and this is our time frame for doing it’ are going to be more successful at transitioning to EMRs,” Dewitz adds.
Trends magazine, November 2012
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