Are EMR budget-neutral eventually?

[GoodmanBrown]

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I'm interested in FM as a specialty, and I recently went to the doctor. I noticed that the office of 7-8 FM docs is still using paper records. I searched around and have found estimates of only 20-25% of doctor's offices using EMR yet. This study (which was a simple mail-back survey) gave a lot of pretty impressive reasons for doctors to use EMR.

However, one of them was not "Cost savings." In fact, upfront costs were a big factor in not implementing EMR. So I was curious if that is an eventual benefit of EMR. You certainly have a large initial cost for buying new computers, servers, software, etc. Plus, you have continual costs of software licensing, computer maintenance, replacement computers, etc.

However, it seems like EMR would save costs as well by reducing work for transcriptionists, filers, receptionists, etc. Do the costs and benefits even out eventually? Is there any way to tell?

 

[deleted87716]

Paper records certainly aren't free, but most doctors don't really have a good handle on how much they cost. The cost of computers and software, OTOH, is easy to keep track of.

I'm not talking about the cost of paper and manila folders, mind you. I'm talking about the cost of storing charts, pulling charts, moving charts around the office, copying charts, looking for charts, etc.

Anyone still using transcription is basically pissing money away, and is probably among the few who could actually save money with EMR.

For most of us, however, it will cost us money.

IMHO, however, the cost is worth it for the benefits that having an EMR provides. I honestly believe that it enables me to take better care of my patients. The day is not far off when any doctor who's still using paper records will be looked at as skeptically as one who's still using leeches. 😉

 

[mx_599]

Aren't there some quality free programs out there? Did I hear something about some google software element to secure online records? or was this in a dream... 😴

or is any free software really not up to par to make its use worth it?

 

[deleted87716]

Aren't there some quality free programs out there? Did I hear something about some google software element to secure online records? or was this in a dream... 😴

or is any free software really not up to par to make its use worth it?

The Google thing isn't an EMR (something maintained by the doctor), it's more of a PHR (Personal Health Record - something maintained by the patient).

MedFusion has some buzz going as far as free web-based EMRs are concerned. I can't really comment on it as far as utility goes, as I haven't tried it.

 

[mx_599]

The Google thing isn't an EMR (something maintained by the doctor), it's more of a PHR (Personal Health Record - something maintained by the patient).

MedFusion has some buzz going as far as free web-based EMRs are concerned. I can't really comment on it as far as utility goes, as I haven't tried it.

ahhh, thanks. haven't really dug deep investigating yet, but trying to get things in line over the next yr or two.

 

[MossPoh]

The real benefits come when systems are connected and can communicate. The upfront costs are tremendously intimidating for any small business owner when it comes to new technology. The ROI, CBA, and stakeholder analysis are all critical in making a decision about whether something like EMR is right for you. The potential for reduced overhead and less squandered time are pretty great if done correctly. It is tough to do it correctly at this point though.