Cristina Boggiano, Ophthalmic Staffing Specialist: Cristina@theophthalmicassociates.com
Upon returning from a recent industry meeting, one of the most common topics of conversation and concern was the adoption of Electronic Medical Records (EMR). While there is much planning and forethought that goes into implementing EMR, once the decision is made concerns about staffing for this project must be confronted.
The first step is to outline what the practice goals are for this process of automation. Meet with your staff and make clear to them what post implementation goals are. Once you have your current staff on board, consider any personnel needs. Be sure not to underestimate your staffing needs, especially in the transitioning process. Despite what some practices might think, EMR does not necessarily enable a work force reduction, especially in the beginning.
A practice or ophthalmic institution has several options for delegation of work. The most straightforward approach would be to invest in your current employees. Once you have discussed the choice to initiate EMR, expand the duties of those staff that are enthusiastic about the change. If your staff is willing to absorb new responsibilities, those ancillary positions such as medical records staff can be gradually phased out over time.
Addition of permanent IT staff is not absolutely necessary and all depends upon the system you choose. Larger practices that choose locally hosted systems are more likely to need a permanent IT employee. Smaller practices that use online systems could be better served by hiring an IT consultant for the initial stages of implementation. Technology consultants come with different skill sets and it is important to have a checklist for your practice. Ask prospective consultants the right questions to determine how they will complete the work.
Taking on EMR can be both an exciting and challenging experience. There are several components that lay the foundation for a smooth transition with staffing and personnel being at the cornerstone. Take time to plan and prepare with every aspect of this investment and the efficiencies and revenue generated should pay off in dividends.
Labels: EMR, Health Information Technology, Staffing
Emily L. Graham, RHIA, CCS-P, ASCRS/ASOA Associate Director, Regulatory Affairs
Data are defined as the dates, numbers, images, symbols, letters, and words that represent basic facts and observations about people, processes, measurements, and conditions. A data element is an individual fact or measurement that is the smallest unique subset of a database. The word “data” is often used in conjunction with other words like accuracy, granularity, etc. These additional data-terms are defined below.
· Data accuracy is the extent to which data are free of identifiable errors.
· Data availability is the extent to which data are accessible whenever and wherever they are needed.
· Data comprehensiveness is the extent to which health care data re complete.
· Data consistency is the extent to which healthcare data are reliable.
· Data currency is the extent to which data are up-to-date.
· Data granularity is the level of detail at which the attributes and values of healthcare data are described
· Data integrity is the extent to which healthcare data are complete, accurate, consistent, and timely. It is also a security principle that keeps information from being modified or otherwise corrupted either maliciously or accidentally.Data precision is the extent to which data has the values they are expected to have.
· Data relevancy is the extent to which healthcare-related data re useful for the purpose for which they were collected.
Labels: consistency, currency, data relevancy, granularity, Health Information Technology, HIT, integrity
Emily Graham, RHIA, CCS-P, ASCRS/ASOA Associate Director, Regulatory Affairs
According to Kathleen M. LaTour and Shirley Eichenwald-Maki, authors of Health Information Management Concepts, Principles and Practice, Second Edition, health, or healthcare information technology (HIT) is a term that encompasses the technical roles that process health data and records, such as classification, abstracting, retrieval, and so on. LaTour and Eichenwald-Maki define Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Electronic Health Records (EHR) as a form of computer-based health record in which information is stored in whole files instead of by individual data elements and a computerized record of health information and associated processes, respectively.
Labels: EHR, Electronic Health Record, Electronic Medical Record, EMR, Health Information Technology, HIT, Ophthalmology
