EHRs: Benefits, ROIs and your system

You want an EHR package worth the time and money you’re gonna have to put into it. Does such a “beast” exist?

Before you answer that, you might want to answer this: how much does it cost you to do business without it?

Define your terms: start with an audit

It is difficult to determine how much a process such as implementing an EHR is actually worth unless you define what using it is supposed to do for you. You’ll also need to consider how it will subsequently affect your business afterward, too. A return on
investment (ROI) is pretty much all a matter of mathematical returns and costs. It measures both the efficacy and potential consequences of your investment choices, as well. You choose a certain EHR because it enhances ROI potential, so you should implement an EHR only after you understand what need you must fulfill the most. An audit of how you conduct business will help maximize your ROI.

Which one should I choose?

When you’re able to determine what needs you must fulfill, pick an EHR that “mirrors” your need, so to speak. If you aren’t able to narrow down your need precisely, don’t panic. Organizational systems are sometimes flawed in a multiple of ways, running a chiropractic business isn’t any different. Flexible EHRs with bidirectional interfaces, for example, help promote productivity, help manage or completely remedy problems with work load sharing and point of care documentation simultaneously.

What do I do next?

Even the most effective, flexible EHR won’t work unless the staff who uses it is “culturally aligned” toward system success. You can ensure high ROI by including staff or technicians in the EHR selection process. Be sure to properly vet the EHR vendor afterward. According to a report from the Journal of Medical Practice Management, practitioners should be wary of vendors who make unverifiable claims about their particular EHR product. Implementing EHRs and exacting a maximum ROI from it does require staff training, for example.