4 Signs it is Time to Replace Your EHR

Are you looking to change your EHR vendor?

Chances are, if you are reading this blog right now, you are considering shifting your EHR vendor. There are many reasons for contemplating a change. Perhaps your EHR vendor doesn’t provide adequate support, or your practice is growing and your software solution cannot grow with you. Either way, there are many signs that can tell you that it is time to make a switch. Join us as we jump into four major reasons to consider an EHR change.

Practice Expansion

Practice growth is normal and expected. At times, our EHR vendors are unable to accommodate the growth that our practices are experiencing. This growth can be in the form of opening new locations, adding on additional providers, creating additional specialties that require different workflows, and more. Each of these elements have the power to substantially improve a practice’s bottom line and care delivery. With that being said, if your current EHR vendor cannot provide adequate workflows, customizations, or features that your practice needs, it may be time for an EHR change.

Vendor Incompatibilities

A common complaint from physicians is customer support amongst EHR vendors. If you are unable to reach support when you need it, it stalls everything else going on within your practice. You need a vendor who you can rely on with professionals you can trust. Outside of support related issues, you need a software vendor where you feel like your voice is being heard. If you consistently feel like you have voiced your concerns to have them met with empty promises and false claims, it may be time to choose another vendor.

CMS Initiatives

Let’s face it – CMS changes their standards consistently and if you are planning on reporting in the upcoming year, you will need 2015 Edition CEHRT software in order to attest. If you are still using 2014 Edition CEHRT EHR software, you won’t be able to submit measure for the Promoting Interoperability Category. This could negatively impact your payment adjustment. Additionally, updating to 2015 Edition CEHRT shows that your vendor is committed to your organization’s security, privacy, interoperability, and profitability. If you’re still with a 2014 CEHRT EHR, it may be time to evaluate other solutions.

Stagnant EHR Systems

If your EHR vendor hasn’t added any modules, expanded their add-on product line, or made necessary upgrades it may be time to consider a switch. In this technological day and age, it is important for all of us to be up-to-date on everything going on in the industry to remain current. Your EHR vendor should do the same. With this, it is important to look at their roadmap. At times, projects can take years to come to fruition due to contracts, negotiations, and other legalities. Talk to your vendor about their plans. If there aren’t any, consider what your needs and wants are before jumping ship to a new platform.

There is always comfort in staying with the “evil you know.” With that being said, staying in your comfort zone, sometimes, creates growing frustration, complicates your workload, and negatively impacts your practice’s efficiencies. If your practice is running into any of the above issues with your EHR vendor, reach out to them and discuss your issues. From there, decide whether to stay or consider other options.

Are you considering changing your current EHR vendor? MicroMD can help. Visit micromd.com or call 1-800-624-8832 for more information.