A cornerstone of the newly passed healthcare bill is the creation and implementation of coordinated care across groups of physicians and providers. Studies show that coordination of care results in higher quality and lower costs. As Accountable Care Organizations, Patient-Centered Medical Homes, and advocates for similar programs begin to restructure the landscape of healthcare and demand stronger, more reliable, and more easily manageable health record coordination, it's crucial to move from paper health records to electronic health records (EHRs).
This move can be daunting, especially for smaller practices, such as primary care physicians. Regional extension centers are non-profit, unbiased, federally-funded centers that help practices manage the switch from paper to electronic records.
Regional extension centers are composed of a team of researchers and community healthcare advocacy centers, as well as financial and EHR experts. Often, local universities and well-known community care non-profits are a part of a regional extension center team. These teams are awarded federal grants and exist for the sole purpose of creating cost-effective solutions to local providers making the EHR switch. They are members of the community that have specific ties and knowledge about the unique challenges that healthcare providers face in various regions.
Regional extension centers are non-profit organizations, and therefore provide assistance without bias regarding EHR services. Their job is to figure out how to realistically transform old paper data into electronic data, as well as implement new recording systems and training so that current information can be processed electronically. They assess each practice's needs and limitations individually, and even search for grants and awards that can help with cost burdens.
Each region has an individual extension center, and though these centers are government funded, they are privately run by each organization. Therefore, procedures and methods may vary from center to center. In general, regional extension centers provide education about record management, assistance in software and hardware upgrades and installation, training for new software navigation, and assistance in hiring staff and implementing procedures to accurately enter old records, as well as bridge the gap between older, paper records and newer EHRs. Financial experts assist with costs and seek out monetary assistance in the form of government grants.
If you are a practicing healthcare professional, take advantage of your local regional extension center and discuss your options concerning EHR implementation. From solo providers and enterprise organizations to physician services groups, e-MDs offers a host of affordable, certified EHR solutions to support the needs of physicians groups of all sizes who are looking to enhance their services with the latest electronic health records technology.
eMDs is committed to providing affordable and integrated EHR and Practice Management Software solutions, including clinical, financial and document management modules designed to automate medical practice processes and chart management – delivering the clinical tools needed to succeed in today's health care environment.
You can find additional detailed information about all the different services and benefits an EHR system has to offer your practice by contacting a representative right now at 1.888.344.9836 or sales@e-mds.com, or visiting them online at www.e-mds.com
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