An EHR system should be usable on all types of electronic devices. “I use a tablet, another doctor uses a desktop computer, another one prefers an iPad, and another one has a scribe input data,” Dr. Lawson says.
Software should be adaptable, too, to accommodate different physicians’ preferences. One doctor may describe heat, swelling or tenderness for each joint, while another physician may want to write out this information. “The program needs to be adjustable, so each rheumatologist can enter the information [in their own way],” Dr. Lawson says.
Information should be easily accessible, as well. “Evaluate how many clicks it will take to view certain pieces of information,” Dr. Lawson says. “Is it easy to find laboratory test results, and can you move imaging results into the present EHR note results category?” You’ll also want to choose an EHR system that will allow scribes to enter data while the physician interacts with the patient. And it should be Meaningful Use certified.
Additionally, it’s nice to have an EHR system that enables you to evaluate your practice’s progress and generate reports showing how many of your patients have a certain condition or take a particular type of medication.
It’s also good to be able to examine the business side of your practice. “Ideally, an EHR will be able to interact with registries so you can evaluate your practice’s performance compared [with] other practices,” Dr. Lawson says.
Dr. Matsumoto suggests examining how the EHR system records information and what will best fit your clinical style and needs. Consider your answers to these questions:
- Does it use templates, free text or both?
- Does it allow for the use of scribes, outside dictation or Dragon speak?
- Can you customize the notes or templates to capture rheumatology-specific information, such as joint counts, pain scales and functional questionnaires?
- How does it incorporate patient-reported outcome measures or other information provided by the patient before the visit?
- What does the final note look like?
Finally, thoroughly read an EHR system’s warranty and terms of service; make sure it will work for you.
“You get what you pay for, but make sure you get what you pay for,” Dr. Lawson concludes.
Make the Most of Your EHR
The ACR’s Rheumatology Informatics for System Effectiveness (RISE) Registry can help practices optimize whatever system they choose. All ACR members can participate in RISE free of charge. Participants can seamlessly connect data from their EHR system to the registry and compare their performance to their partners, as well as to national and CMS benchmarks.