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Learning a new electronic medical record system doesn’t have to be intimidating. If you work with the right vendor and have a knowledgeable implementation specialist helping you along the way, setting up and learning how to use your new software can come easy. For an in-depth look into the implementation process for first-time PrognoCIS users and for those interested in converting to PrognoCIS from another EMR, we interviewed Bizmatics sales coordinator Anthony Bates.

EMR implementations can be trying. How do most healthcare professionals make it through the process?

At Bizmatics, we try to make the transition as easy as possible for our clients – no matter if they’re new to the EMR world or switching over from a vendor that no longer meets their needs. We do this by pairing each physician with an implementation specialist from the start. The implementation specialist’s job is to work with a point of contact from the client’s end to facilitate the transition.

What exactly is the implementation specialist’s role?

The implementation specialist works closely with the client from beginning to end. We find that PrognoCIS users are happy with this process. The specialist starts by gathering all the pertinent information from the clinic, such as provider demographics, their registered NPI number and Surescripts DEA number. They also help set up the client’s logo, which can be whatever logo the practice wants to use on any communication sent out by the EMR.

The next part of the process is setting up some of the initial building blocks for the practice, such as choosing a clearinghouse and getting that established, and getting their billing interface aligned. After that, our back-end team helps with the implementation of an HL7 to be established with whatever local or national labs the clinic wants to work with. The process is the same for every practice, we just work with different lab vendors to get everything set up and working properly.

The implementation specialist will then help the practice set up the EMR so that it’s aligned to how their office currently runs. The idea is to replicate the steps that are part of the practice’s current workflow, so that they don’t have to relearn everything or reinvent the wheel. For instance, if they’re used to the History of Present Illness and blood work all being done by the PA, and they still want to do it that way, we align the EMR to follow those same steps.

Once the EMR has been set up, is there a different person that helps practices with training?

As I mentioned, we like the idea of having one person work with each client from beginning to end. Other EMR companies may do things differently, but we have these implementation specialists who really are experts when it comes to using PrognoCIS. They have all the skills to help physicians get through the implementation process, and that includes training.

What’s the learning curve like for practices that switch over to PrognoCIS from a different EMR?

For a lot of the practices that end up switching to PrognoCIS, the decision has to do with the fact that the EMR they’re currently using is at end of life, which means there won’t be any more software updates. These doctors and their staff – they’re already experienced users, and PrognoCIS is just a different software program. It’s like being used to an iPhone and then buying an Android phone. Both phones do the same thing. They just get you there differently. Plus, a good thing about PrognoCIS is that there are tutorials within the EMR, at the bottom of the screen. So if there’s something a user isn’t quite sure about, they can easily click to find out.

When does the implementation specialist’s role typically end?

The implementation process can take as little as six weeks from the time the practice decides to move forward with PrognoCIS, or in some cases as long as six months. It really depends on each practice. It’s a delicate process, and we don’t like to rush anyone through it.

What resources are available to the practice once the implementation period is over?

All of our clients have access to unlimited support through our tech support department, but we also have e-tools that allow them to train on their own beyond that. We provide these tools for free through our online Resource Center. If an office manager wants to text patients for appointment reminders, for example, he or she can go to the Resource Center, type in “text” and pull up information for how to text through PrognoCIS. We provide step-by-step instructions in most cases, and we also have preloaded videos so that users can learn on their own.

Anthony Bates is the Sales Coordinator at Bizmatics. He plays an integral role in helping new clients transition to PrognoCIS. Contact him at prognocisinfo@bizmaticsinc.com.

In recent months, New Orleans has played host to various healthcare conferences, and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is next in line. From May 4 to 8, ACOG will be holding its 61st Annual Clinical Meeting in “the Big Easy,” hosting local and international women’s health professionals for five days of networking and learning.

Bizmatics is proud to be involved in the country’s most important meeting for obstetricians and gynecologists, and we look forward to supporting and connecting with current clients to advance our joint mission of improving healthcare services for women nationwide.

We are also excited to be representing our award-winning OB/GYN solution, which has been given top ratings by renowned health industry organizations such as KLAS CCHIT, Surescripts and Black Book Rankings. Our highly recognized software is user friendly and includes the features that women’s health professionals need most:

• Complete workflow for OB/GYN patients
• Customizable prenatal flow record
• Medical alerts and protocols that ensure patient safety
• Prenatal tab that allows quick entry and tracking of all pregnancy-related data

To learn more about out why PrognoCIS is a good solution for OB/GYN practices, as well as how easy it is to convert your current EMR data to PrognoCIS, find us at Booth 2321 and talk to a member of our team.

Are you a current PrognoCIS user headed to the 2013 ACOG show? Stop by our booth too to say hello. We’d love to hear from you!

The IPA Association of America (TIPAAA), a leading, nonprofit trade association serving Independent/Integrated Physician Associations (IPAs), held their 18th annual conference in Las Vegas earlier this month. The conference was attended by physicians from many of TIPAAA’s nationwide chapters, as well as software vendors and health IT organizations.

PrognoCIS, which was voted one of the best EMR systems for ambulatory practices by Black Book Rankings, was represented at the conference by Bizmatics, Inc. CEO Vinay Desphande, VP Chris Ferguson and VP of sales Kemp Stephens. The Bizmatics team was well received by representatives of different participating IPAs during the onsite exhibition.

Aside from providing Bizmatics the opportunity to meet IPA members, such as physicians, medical directors and practice administrators, TIPAAA’s annual conference also gave them the opportunity to network with other EMR vendors and healthcare technology companies for future health IT opportunities.

Bizmatics has earned the respect of both physicians and vendors as one of the best EMR systems on the market. Aside from having been recognized by Black Book Rankings, PrognoCIS EMR was named one of the top ten cloud-based EMRs by KLAS Research. They were also awarded Surescripts’ highly-coveted White Coat of Quality distinction earlier this year for e-prescribing excellence.

According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, a U.S.-based global market research and consulting company, the e-prescribing market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 26 percent over the next four years. By 2017, the market will likely be worth about $794 million worldwide. This is in large part due to the continuous work done by market leaders such as Bizmatics to develop innovative, easy to use e-prescribing solutions and increase awareness among providers.

E-prescribing systems allow healthcare professionals to submit and receive prescriptions electronically either through standalone e-prescribing software or EHR-integrated e-prescribing modules. E-prescriptions help reduce medication errors and improve quality and efficiency of patient care by:

• Actively promoting appropriate drug usage
• Providing information to providers and dispensers about formulary-based drug coverage
• Speeding up the process of renewing medications
• Increasing medication adherence

In the United States, e-prescribing is encouraged by federal incentive programs, such as the EHR Incentive Program, which focuses on the meaningful use of electronic health record software. Standards for “Meaningful Use” are defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – and e-prescribing is an important component of those standards. It not only helps improve patient health but overall patient safety as well.

To read more about the MarketsandMarkets report, click here.

For the second year running, Bizmatics, Inc. has been awarded Surescripts’ White Coat of Quality for 2013 for e-prescribing excellence. Bizmatics received the distinction for their electronic medical record and practice management software, PrognoCIS, which is certified by Surescripts for complete e-prescription functionality.

To be recognized for the White Coat of Quality award, health technology vendors must demonstrate high quality standards in e-prescribing. Bizmatics received the distinction as a result of their commitment to providing an e-prescribing process that is both safe and efficient, as well as their dedication to providing ongoing quality improvements.

According to Bizmatics CEO Vinay Deshpande, the award is a testament the company’s commitment to quality and patient safety. “Thousands of patients are receiving their medications through e-prescriptions created in PrognoCIS every day,” he says. “Our product philosophy of ease of use, efficiency of workflows, quality and performance is reflected in our e-prescription module, and the White Coat of Quality certificate is a testimonial to that approach.”

E-prescribing is meant to reduce care costs, improve efficiency, and above all enhance patient safety. It allows healthcare providers to transmit prescriptions electronically and receive renewal authorizations through their EMR. E-prescribing is fast replacing paper prescriptions and is an integral part of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid’s (CMS) EHR Incentive Program and “Meaningful Use.”

Meaningful Use refers to the standards defined by CMS which outline how an electronic medical record system should be used in order for providers to qualify for federal stimulus money. Bizmatics’ PrognoCIS EMR is certified for Meaningful Use, and e-prescribing is an important component of the medical software.

The IPA Association of America (TIPAAA) will be hosting its 18th annual National Meeting in March in Las Vegas – and PrognoCIS is proud to announce its participation. The conference will take place from Thursday, Mar. 14 to Saturday, Mar. 16 at the Rio All Suites Hotel & Casino and will feature the theme “The Evolving IPA: The Renewed IPA Business Model.”

Organizers are expecting physicians, medical directors, practice administrators, and other healthcare professionals from across the country, as well as individuals responsible for financial operations, clinical management, network development and more.

For the conference, speakers will focus on helping Independent/Integrated Physician Associations (IPAs) grow their leadership roles in their communities by discussing important topics such as leadership strategies, community relations, and innovation.

The conference will also focus on the following four learning objectives, as outlined on the TIPAAA website:

• Learn from other healthcare leaders who have implemented new programs that have impacted physician participation at the bottom line.
• Analyze two case studies to come up with strategies for getting through challenging circumstances.
• Discuss successes and lessons learned while in the process of becoming a fully operational organization.
• Learn about new industry trends – from altered payer-provider models to improvements in technology.

Aside from speeches and general sessions, there will also be an opportunity for attendees to visit an onsite exhibition. PrognoCIS will be participating in this exhibition, along with other industry-leading vendors.

About TIPAAA: The IPA Association of America is a nonprofit organization serving Independent/Integrated Physician Associations. They provide a wide range of products, services, and educational programs designed to help IPAs operate effectively and successfully in managed care.

Health information exchange and technology interoperability ensure the secure transfer of clinical data between EHR systems and federal, state and local government databases.  Interoperable technology makes relevant data instantly available to healthcare providers, clinical researchers and government agencies.  Encouraging a step forward in health information exchange standards, the University of Kentucky developed the first working model of an EHR medical software link that contributes cancer diagnosis data to the state’s cancer registry.

Through the collaboration between the state’s Cancer Registry, the Kentucky Health Information Exchange and Regional Extension Center and the CDC, oncologists can now enter real time clinical data into the Kentucky Cancer Registry.  This, in turn, helps epidemiologists analyze statistics and patterns occurring within the state.  The EHR software link’s development was funded as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Comparative Effectiveness Research activity, working toward developing EHR standards that report directly to the Cancer Registry.  According to Tom Tucker, the director of the state’s registry, the university’s model makes comparative effectiveness research in oncological studies possible.

Launched in October, five new cancer diagnoses have already been transmitted to the cancer database by a dermatology clinic in Paducah.  The state’s Regional Extension Center and Health Information Exchange have currently partnered up with 43 other oncology healthcare providers for EHR reporting.

http://uknow.uky.edu/content/uk-initiates-first-cancer-reporting-model-its-kind-us

http://www.healthcare-informatics.com/news-item/uk-researchers-link-ehr-data-clinical-cancer-registry

Despite the joyful nature of the holiday season, it triggers as much stress in many people as it does yuletide cheer.  Holiday-related increased stress levels actually cause the occurrence of heart attacks to rise. Preventing stress-induced heart attacks start with year-round heart health monitoring by a physician with the help of a cardiology EMR.

Many factors contribute to holiday stress:  extra expenses that lead to a mountain of credit card debt, the preparation -and eating – of large fatty and salty meals, increased alcohol intake at parties, coordinating with relatives, and not to mention keeping the kids entertained on winter break.  On top of additional stress, heart attacks occur more during the winter overall, possibly due to less outdoor physical activity.

The University of Windsor in Ontario conducted two studies between two hospitals in Windsor and Detroit, looking at 135 patients treated for heart attacks.  The first study compared those who sought treatment immediately and those who waited hours or days before seeking treatment.  The research revealed that patients who didn’t seek immediate help tried to ignore their symptoms or didn’t believe they were having a heart attack because their symptoms did not match that of their expectations, such as not having sharp chest pain.

The second study included same patients and their belief of what a heart attack should feel like compared to their experience.  Results showed that those whose symptoms matched their expectation sought medical attention right away.  The head of the University of Windsor’s study mentioned that many patients who have had a previous heart attack do not realize that symptoms of a second may not necessarily be the same as the first.  She also advises people to be aware of non-chest pain heart attack symptoms that could be easily overlooked or attributed to food poisoning or a hangover around the holidays, like extreme fatigue and low energy levels, shortness of breath, light headedness, nausea and vomiting and cold sweats.

Maintaining good heart health should be a year-long endeavor.  High blood pressure found in a regular physical exam can elicit an alert to the physician via cardiology EMR to recommend that the patient schedule a stress test, an ECG or an echocardiogram in order to prevent the increased risk of a heart attack.

http://www.leaderpost.com/health/study+finds+increase+heart+attacks+during+holidays/7712519/story.html

The Baltimore Rescue Mission received a very generous gift from two former Johns Hopkins medical students – an electronic medical record software solution for their clinic. With the help of the EMR, the free clinic was provided with a standardized database for patient records. As the first student-made EMR geared toward free clinics, the two developers hope their software system will become the new template for all volunteer clinics.

EMR developers Eugene Semenov and Michael Morris met as volunteers at the Baltimore Rescue Mission and fellow medical school undergrads at Johns Hopkins University. Together, with the help of Johns Hopkins computer science professor Avi Rubin, the team developed electronic medical record software to fit the specific needs of the clinic. Their goal was to create a more effective documentation system for treatment and the demographics of Baltimore’s homeless population. Acknowledging that EMR implementation can be very costly for medical practices, Semenov and Morris’ system cost only $5,000 to develop and was donated to the clinic, run largely by med student volunteers.

The electronic medical record software came equipped with a touch-screen database where the volunteers can easily search for patient records. Due to the fact that the Baltimore Rescue Mission does not charge their homeless patients for medical services, no practice management software is needed, says Semenov. Features designed especially for free clinic use include vital signs collection that will not allow the volunteers to proceed to the next page until they have been entered and a mandatory dosage prompt whenever medication is entered. The new EMR’s implementation also lets the clinic see where improvements could be made in their office workflow to better help Baltimore’s homeless population.

Source: http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-12-02/features/bs-gl-goodworks-records-20121201_1_medical-clinic-free-clinic-electronic-records

Urgent care clinics offer both extended-hours care and short wait times that neither doctor offices nor hospital emergency rooms do. Not wanting to miss out on the foot traffic that urgent care receives, many hospitals have opened clinics of their own. Although, being new to the game of “in-and-out service” means acquiring customer service skills that hospitals have the reputation to lack. With the help of medical practice management software, hospitals can learn to become successful and effective in the blooming urgent care industry.

Hospitals currently own 27 percent of the United States’ 9,000 urgent care clinics, according to an article on KaiserHealthNews.org. Implementing a medical practice management software solution is the best way for hospitals to learn to operate effectively in a clinic setting. Practice management for urgent care allows new issues to be tackled such as appointment scheduling and patient communication.

Hospitals generally don’t take appointments to admit patients, especially in the ER, but urgent care clinics do. Patients often turn to urgent care when they need to see a doctor in the evening or on the weekend. Practice management software has the ability to not only schedule appointments, but also store patients’ demographic data and insurance information for billing. Patient wait times can easily be monitored in the software’s interface, maintaining urgent care’s standard for speedy service. Open encounters and no-shows can be tallied at the end of the day, reminding physicians to close the encounters and have the no-shows billed.

Keeping in touch with patients after an ER visit or stay is also not generally a hospital’s strength. Implementing a patient portal with the practice management software keeps an open rapport with patients after their initial visit. Once securely logged in, patients have access to view their medical records from the clinic visit and upload records from their other healthcare providers for reference and safekeeping. The portal also serves as a quick, easy and private mode of making appointment requests. The portal encourages patients to monitor their daily or weekly health statistics, like blood pressure and weight and allows the physician to access the patient-entered information and instantly integrate the data into the EMR.