“It’s clear to us that gloStream’s product development team really thought through the natural progression of the patient visit. We’ve been able to streamline processes within our office and that’s led to a level of productivity and efficiency we just didn’t have before we began working with gloStream.”
–Dr. Dominick Roto, M.D.
“gloEMR from gloStream is so flexible that the software could easily adapt to the changing workflows we put into place to comply with Meaningful Use criteria. We also found gloStream’s Meaningful Use dashboard to be a tremendously valuable resource. Thanks to this tool the CMS attestation process was easy and we received our Stimulus incentive funding quickly.”
–Dr. Steven Bauer, M.D.
“Thanks to the functionality within gloEMR, I have the capability to see a healthy load of patients when I’m in the clinic and still finish all of my charts so that I can leave by 4:30pm. I’m saving time and money, providing great care and have peace of mind that my practice is in great shape.”
–Dr. Shivajee Nallamothu, D.O.
“gloStream is a company doing great work and enjoying popularity and success due in part to their integration of Microsoft Word as their EMR engine's documentation engine, which makes the solution familiar and intuitive for clinical end users.”
–Dr. Bill Crounse, M.D. (Microsoft)
“We went live with gloEMR on a Monday and four days later we were already up to our full patient load. It’s so intuitive and easy to use - it’s simply phenomenal.”
–Amanda Wood R.T.(R)(M)(BS) - Practice Manager
“Implementing gloEMR has been one of the most beneficial things I've ever done for my practice. Over the course of a weekend we were up and running and then back to full patient load in just a few days.”
–Dr. Julio Sosa, M.D.
“What’s even better, though, is that my staff can send me a message through the gloEMR messaging system telling me that I need to review something. This saves us a ton of time. The workflow built into gloEMR is exceptional and has really helped my practice become more efficient.”
–Dr. Renato Albaran, M.D.
“We chose gloStream because at the end of the day it was probably the most doctor-friendly EMR system that I'd ever seen.”
–Dr. Ronald Sue, M.D.
“With gloEMR, I was seeing a full patient load the day after we got it. It really has eased and streamlined my life.”
–Dr. Dan Tomlinson, M.D.
“The federal EHR incentive program motivated our practice to choose a system committed to meeting the tracking requirements for achieving Meaningful Use criteria, and gloStream presented the exact opportunity we had been searching for all along.”
–Dr. Scott Adelman, M.D.
“Since we instituted gloEMR, not only has it made our office run more efficiently, it has saved me time. Every day that I am in the office I am leaving on time instead of an hour or more after the last patient like I used to before gloEMR. This is a savings that can't easily translate into money, but is huge.”
–Dr. Edward Lis, Jr., D.O.
Electronic Medical Record Buying Criteria
With hundreds of electronic medical records out on the market today choosing the right one can seem like a daunting task, particularly for practice managers and doctors who have little experience with technology. But choosing the right EMR for your practice is possible, and even easier than you think, if you make sure you follow the right buying criteria.
The first step for any practice is to clearly understand why you're moving from paper charts to an electronic medical record. Is your practice looking to increase productivity and efficiency? Are you hoping to increase revenues? Or, are you seeking a less stressful office? Each of these is a good reason to switch to an EMR but you should fully understand why you are making the change to ensure your goals are met by the new EMR you select for your practice.
Certifications. The Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT) is a non-proft 501(c)(3) with the public mission of adopting the acceleration of healthcare IT. CCHIT offers an extremely challenging and robust EMR test, and an EMR that passes CCHIT certification has demonstrated it's met the highest standards for security, functionality and interoperabillity. In addition, practices that are seeking EHR incentive funding must be sure that the EMR they're using has been certified by an Office of the National Coordinator Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ONC-ATCB). Be sure that the EMR you select for your practice is CCHIT and ONC-ATCB certified.
Usabilty. Overall usability and ease of use is a vital consideration for every practice, regardless of speciality. As your practice is researching EMRs, seek to answer the following key questions:
- Will the electronic medical record slow the practice down?
- Can the practice continue to use its current forms and letterheard?
- Will the new system meet the practice's workflow?
- Can the practice make changes to templates on its own?
If the answers to any of the above questions is no, it's likely that the EMR you are considering is not an ideal choice for your practice.
Cost vs. Value. Many practices are focused on the initial cost of an EMR, and many doctors are enticed by systems subsidized by local hospitals. While these systems may be lower in cost compared to other systems, their total cost and value may not be as great as a system that requires some investment. For example, a lower up-front cost doesn't take into account the work that will be needed if the system is not set up correctly and it doesn't guarantee that the practice will ever get back to full patient load after the EMR is implemented. Many less expensive EMRs also don't come with local support, so the total cost to the practice after it pays for support can more than make up for that initial discount.
Implementation and Training. It goes without saying that a practice's electronic medical record success hinges on how well the EMR was implemented, and how well staff were trained. In fact, poor training is the number one reason that EMRs fail. Always consider how the EMR you are considering will be implemented and how training will be delivered. Ask yourself if training will be conducted in-person or via the Web, and whether the practice is paying by the hour or day. At gloStream, we believe that training should be in-person and that milestones should be agreed upon by the practice and their vendor.
Support. Understanding what type of support your practice will receive is another critical factor to understand before buying an EMR. You need to know what will happen before you have a problem with your hardware and software, not afterwards. Choose a system that is supported by a local technology professional in your community, and make sure that support personnel will be onsite in a reasonable amount of time after you request assistance. If you do select an EMR with off-site support, be sure you understand where the support team is located and when they are available to help you.
Internal Readiness. The internal readiness of you and your staff is the final, and most overlooked, factor when it comes to EMR buying criteria. It's very important that all staff at the practice are ready for their new electronic medical record system. Key questions to ask yourself include:
- Is the staff mentally prepared to begin using an EMR?
- Does everyone understand the goals for the new EMR? For implementation?
- Has the staff been engaged in the selection process?
- Has the practice identified distractors and worked to limit their effect?
Remember that getting everyone onboard with your EMR selection is important because participation will increase excitement and participation.
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