We all know that implementing electronic medical records (EMR) in a practice can be a daunting and fearful task. Government regulators and insurers have set national priorities for all medical practices to convert to an EMR or EHR system by 2014. The trend to move to EMR is very real.

Last year, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies issued a position paper encouraging e-prescribing by the year 2010, in an effort to reduce prescription transcription errors.

According to Accenture Health and Life Sciences, “Research shows that consumers have become aware of the potential benefits of EMR, and that this shift is creating opportunities for health care providers to take steps toward implementing EMR systems.”

While 2014 may seem a far way off, why wait until the last minute to digitize and streamline your practice. EMR is here to stay and the ophthalmic industry must continue to adopt ways to better communicate with other health care providers—it’s what your patients expect.

Here are 12 reasons why you should take the leap now, instead of later, and find a flexible comprehensive EMR system that works the way you do. You may be losing out on more than you think if you wait too long.

1. Improve documentation with legible, organized and complete records—seamlessly integrate with your practice management software.



2. Improve E&M coding accuracy and compliance with chart audits by posting correct data, diagnosis codes and procedures.



3. Reduce billing errors and protect the security of your financial operations. Accurate e-claims mean fewer claim denials. Eliminate lost charges and increase revenue; spend less time on code research and editing.



4. Improve communication between front office staff and doctors—maximize the use of the doctor’s day using customized workflows and schedules.



5. Reduce redundant data entries by entering data once.



6. Eliminate the time spent searching for lost charts with universal access to records from any workstation; including secure remote access.



7. Practically eliminate file cabinets, file folders and other paper supplies. Free up valuable revenue-generating office space.



8. Increase collections at the time of visit and lower account receivables.



9. Reduce labor costs and internal/copying expenses.



10. Reduce incorrect (and costly) optical lab orders by transferring final Rx and exam data to optical, billing and front desk. Place and track optical lab orders using a built-in interface. Stop entering data twice and worrying about ordering lenses with incorrect parameters.



11. Improve patient communication and retention—makes answering patient questions easy and quick.



12. Provide insight into your practice and patient needs with powerful, custom billing and inventory reporting.