Check Prescription/Ordering Functions in EMR
Probably Prescription/Ordering functions in EHR/EMR is one that get a good attention when selecting EHR/EMR. Let’s see what functions you should look for when reviewing EHR/EMR.
- manage medication formularies
- write prescriptions
- approve refills/renewals
- receive refill notifications
- drug, food, allergy, lab interaction checking
- drug-condition/indications checking
- patient-specific dosing and warnings
- order diagnostic tests
- order referrals
This should be a good start to look for some of the functions available in EHR/EMR. Review all the functions available and make sure you see what you would like your next EHR/EMR to have.
A little planning could give you more functions in your next EMR/EHR.
Can Your EMR Manage Patient Data?
As you are looking for your first EMR/EHR, you need to know if your chosen EMR can manage Patient Data. Some of the features to look for are as follow:
- manage problem list
- manage medication list
- manage allergy and adverse reaction list
- manage patient-specific care plan
- capture variances from standard care plans
- trend data from multiple sources
Just having the patient data is not enough, you need to know how the EMR/EHR will manage the data and present it to you.
A little planning could save you time and money. Pay attention.
Does Your EMR Capture these Patient Data?
When you are in process of selecting Electronic Health Records (EHR), you need to know which patient data you would like to capture. This will help you in process of selection of the right EHR. Here are some of your options:
- capture and record patient medical history
- capture and record patient medication history
- receive diagnostic studies results
- record clinical documentation
- record temporary notes to self or others
- capture key health data for minimum datasets
- capture images from PACS
- capture patient-originated data
You may or may not need all these data. But when you know what data you are interested to have, then you could examine the EHR and look for these functionality and you could get the application that suits your business and operation instead of a complicate application which you will never use all the features.
A little planning could save you time and money. Think about it.
What Functional Features Are Available In Your Chosen EMR/EHR?
You MUST know what you want and like to have and if your chosen EMR/EHR can deliver the features.
Here are some questions to answer when you are in the process of choosing EMR/EHR.
- Can you identify and locate a patient?
- Can you manage patient demographics?
- Can you schedule appointment?
- Can you schedule admissions, surgery, or procedures?
- Can you identify patient relationships?
- Can you manage patient administrative requirements, that is ABN, NPP, or consets?
- Can do electronic eligibility and benefits transactions?
- Can you do billing and accounts receivable management?
- Can you do prior authorization/pre-certification transactions?
- Can you capture and record patient medication history?
- Can you receive diagnostic studies results?
- Can you record clinical documentation?
- Can you record temporary notes for minimum datasets?
- Can you capture external clinical documents?
- Can you capture external clinical documents?
- Can you capture images from PACS and other medical devices?
- Can you capture patient-originiated data
It is not important if the EMR/EHR has all the features. What is important which of the features work better with your day-to-day operation. Knowing ahead of time what features you are interested could narrow down your choices and may even save you money, and less time to implement.
In next article, I will write about Patient Data Capture Functions.