Why move forward with an EHR, and Why Now?
Why an EHR:
1. The major benefits to be expected from
an EHR include:
- Provide physicians with effective use of a sponsored EHR/PM
system and “Clinically Glue” community physicians to your hospital
- Migrate your employed physicians to a single EHR/PM platform
and at the same time streamline the associated workflows
- Improve the quality of care provided to patients and the community
through continuity of care and patient safety (i.e. medication
management, allergies, etc.)
- Improve patient service across the delivery system thereby
increasing patient “loyalty”
- Improve the ability to manage clinical cost through the total
patient experience
- Increase the ability to negotiate P4P contracts, and acuity
of care/episodes of care reimbursement
- “Do it right”
2. As an EHR becomes operational across the delivery network,
providers
will be better positioned to migrate up the clinical
management evolution curve:
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Why Now?
The bonuses available under the ARRA
provide up to $44,000 per physician if the physician is
able to certify “meaningful use” by 2011. After that date
the incentives drop off each year until converting to penalties
in 2016.
In addition, in October 2006, the federal government
enacted a “Safe Harbor” policy related to the Stark Regulations,
allowing hospitals to donate Electronic Health Record (EHR)
related hardware, software, Internet connectivity, implementation
and training, and support services to physicians.
The nature
of these combined incentives creates a window between now
and 2014 where acting on an EHR implementation provides
a one-time, low risk opportunity for both hospitals and
physicians.
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