I’ve had in mind and been approached by a number of people about writing a book about the EMR selection and implementation process. If you’ve read this blog for a while, you know I’ve had in mind to write some e-Books. I like the e-Book better than a hard copy book, but maybe if I combine all the e-Books it would make a nice hard copy book as well, but I digress.

The good news is that I’ve started writing. I was actually amazed at how quickly and easily the content has come so far. I’m also quite happy with the value that it could bring to someone looking into the EMR world. Although, I still have a ways to go.

One person that was interested in me writing this book send the following outline for the EMR Selection and Implementation book. I’d love to hear people’s feedback on items that are missing and items that aren’t worth discussing from this outline (sorry the formatting isn’t very good on the web).  Please be as candid as possible.  Not to mention if you think that a book or set of e-Books like this would be useful.  Also, if you sign up for the EMR and HIPAA email subscription you’ll be sure to get the latest updates with what’s happening with this book.

(1)   Introduction

1. Why I am writing this book
2. Intended audience (small physician practices)
3. EMR versus EHR explained

(2)   EHR Myths and realities

(3)   Is an EHR right for me?

1. Physicians must “sold” on going to EMR
2. Pros and Cons

-          Information everywhere

-          Better charting

-          Decision support – better decision making

-          More efficient office

-          Fewer staff

-          Paperless office – no costs for paper, charts, office supplies

-          No lost charts

-          Reporting

-          Longitudinal view of patient chart

-          Reduced transcription costs

(5)How to evaluate EHR software

1. Templates
   1. How to change templates
2. E-prescribing
3. Lab interface
4. GUI/usability
   1. Going “in and out” of a patient note
5. Specialty specific versus general
6. Choosing between ASP and C/S
7. Patient Portal

(6)   Other considerations in choosing an EHR

1. Independent versus integrated practice management
2. Data conversion (if necessary)
3. Data format (will you get database structures)
4. Vendor stability/age
5. How long has the HER been offered?
6. Flexibility on installation timing?
7. What code is the HER written in (.net, etc)
8. Who owns the data?
9. ICD-10 upgrade costs
10. KLAS reviewed/recommended?
11. Outstanding lawsuits?
12. Reference sites
13. Vendor support
14. HITECH warranties
15. Price of system (including ALL SW, HW, installation & training)
16. Outyear licensing fees

17Financing

18. Negotiating the contract

(7)   Other Items

1. Tablets, laptops or PCs
2. Choosing an IT company
3. Internal versus external IT
4. ASP or C/S
5. Speech recognition
6. Peripherals – Fax servers, scanners, cameras, printers
7. Networking
8. Other software – email, MS Office

(8)   EHRs and HIPAA

(9)   The selection process

1. Physician champion
2. Selection committee
3. Vendor shootout
4. Time necessary to select
5. Final negotiations

(10)                       Installing and implementing

1. i.      Planning & project management
2. ii.      Expert users
3. iii.       Training
   1. onsite versus remote
   2. iv.      “Big bang” versus gradual
   3. v.      Interfaces
      1. Labs
      2. PACS
      3. Devices

6. Backup and Disaster Recovery

1. The network
   1. i.      Infrastructure
   2. ii.      wired – wireless
   3. iii.      WAN
   4. iv.      Server
   5. v.      Other devices

(11)                       HITECH Act explained

1. Medicare vs Medicaid
2. Timeframe benefits are paid
3. Who is eligible
4. What is CCHIT?
5. What is a certified EHR?
6. What is meaningful use?
7. Important dates in the future

(12)                       Useful references

1. Blogs
   1. i.      EMR and HIPAA
   2. ii.      EMR and HER

3.    etc.

2.   Websites