A roadmap for EMRs: strategies and starting places for long-term care
Published: 2010-01-04 13:50:16By: Julie Williamson | McKnight's Long-Term Care | January 1, 2010
Electronic medical record adoption has been a widely discussed topic in recent months, but that hasn't necessarily meant that long-term care operators have been eagerly hopping on the bandwagon. Even those that have begun to adopt EMR solutions may not be using them to their full potential and, therefore, are leaving some significant financial and operational benefits on the table, experts say.
Some lingering myths and misunderstandings, as well as some negative reports about electronic records, may be hindering the adoption and successful implementation of EMRs. One November report, for example, which reviewed roughly 4,000 hospitals from 2003 to 2007, found that health IT savings and operational efficiencies are more hype than reality. Researchers also noted that, in some cases, electronic records might actually increase administrative costs. Full findings were published in The American Journal of Medicine.
Industry experts nonetheless are urging long-term care providers not to shy away from the technology. Congress, in fact, is providing $19 billion in incentives to help light a fire under various provider organizations that have been slow to adopt the technology. Many experts stress that EMR-related savings in long-term care are indeed attainable, particularly when they're applied to several key functions.“One is point-of-care systems that provide a stronger documentation trail that can increase reimbursement dollars,” confirmed Peter Kress, vice president and chief information officer for West Point, PA-based ACTS Retirement-Life Communities Inc. ACTS communities have been using point-of-care systems for approximately nine years and, more recently, have incorporated progress notes into the electronic records.
One EMR product vendor said that savings generated by a properly implemented electronic point-of-care system can drive the funding for other EMR and information technology investments.“The savings that can be gained are very real,” said Jim Quasey, president of Vocollect Healthcare Systems, Pittsburgh. He added that VHS customers who use point-of-care solutions see an increase of roughly $30 to $50 per Medicare resident day.
Incorporating minimum data set, care planning and assessment components also could pay big dividends.“The
fact is that a chart review and staff and resident interviews need to
be done to effectively and accurately complete the MDS, and evaluate
effectiveness of the care plan interventions,” explained Kirby
Cunningham, RN, manager of clinical services for AOD Software, Fort
Lauderdale, FL. “If the supportive documentation is in an electronic
record and not on paper, time needed for chart review by the resident
assessment instrument team can be greatly reduced.”