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Technology Advice for Small Businesses

EMR challenges and how to overcome them

Government officials are determined to see that every healthcare institution has electronic medical record (EMR) systems, but many physicians are still reluctant to implement them. While EMR possess many useful features to help streamline healthcare processes, some people find the whole system overly complex and feel that they could take good care of patients even… Continue reading EMR challenges and how to overcome them

Obtaining patient engagement

For the first time ever, achieving meaningful use depends on patient behavior: Meaningful use Stage 2 requires at least 5 percent of a health-care provider’s patients to be engaged in their own care— either through an electronic medical record (EMR) or an online portal. The push for patient engagement is understandable, if data provided by… Continue reading Obtaining patient engagement

ONC issues proposals for 2015 EHR certification criteria

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) has issued proposals for 2015 electronic health record (EHR) certification criteria. Notably, implementation of the 2015 certification criteria is voluntary. Health-care providers that have EHRs certified to the 2014 criteria do not need to re-certify to 2015 criteria to participate in meaningful use. The idea,… Continue reading ONC issues proposals for 2015 EHR certification criteria

Meaningful-use incentives top $19 billion

More and more health-care providers are going digital, if meaningful-use reimbursements are any indication. The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is reporting that it has disbursed more than $19 billion in reimbursement incentives. That’s in keeping with a September 2012 prediction from the former national coordinator for health information technology, who said the… Continue reading Meaningful-use incentives top $19 billion

Meaningful use has been good business – but not perfect

In the early 2000s – even into the current decade – health care had some catching up to do when it came to technology. Much of the industry was paper-based and when technology was used, it was often in separate areas, creating silos of information that couldn’t communicate. The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act… Continue reading Meaningful use has been good business – but not perfect