|
| Why Work With a Non-vendor Specific Consultant |
With pressure from new HIPAA regulations and the constant pressure to enhance patient service, reduce operational cost and increase revenue, medical practices are being forced to reevaluate their current office technology and software applications. With hundreds of vendors selling Practice Management Systems (PMS) and Electronic Medical Records Systems (EMR) and services, dealing directly with vendors can be an overwhelming task for providers and managers. One of the greatest challenges today is identifying the “best” technology and software that complements your workflow for the best price. Making the right Information Technology (IT) decisions can maximize efficiency and generate more profit. Miscalculations in the implementation of new technology or mistakes in the application of old technology can result in substantial financial losses.
Before choosing a system your technology decision makers will need to understand:
- How to leverage technology to increase revenue
- How your practice can succeed with PMS/EMR and why some fail (lessons from the past)
- How to successfully integrate, convert or unwind your existing systems
- How to avoid compromises to productivity
- Strategies for converting paper records to digital records
- Achievement of a reasonable return on investment (ROI)
- Hidden fees and recurring costs
Most sales people representing a system vendor are commission based and driven to sell their specific system. Their input is often biased, presenting their software solution as the best. The truth is that all software packages have strengths and weaknesses. Some software packages may look promising in terms of a sales demonstration but may not support your practice specific work flow adequately or integrate with other software once deployed. In some cases the initial cost of system licenses and deployment is affordable but long term maintenance is not cost effective.
The true cost of owning and implementing technology does not always appear on the vendor’s proposal. For example, during the first few weeks of implementation, your productivity will decrease as your practice acclimates to the new technology. Converting to a paperless environment is a big change and you will need to commit substantial resources to the process. It is important to understand the total commitment required, not just the cost of the system.
| Independent IT Assistance |
Given the substantial cash outlay, “soft” costs, and unforeseen expenditures, independent consultative services provided by a non-vendor specific, health information technology (HIT) company is a logical choice. HIT consultants provide independent viewpoints and knowledge based decisions without being driven by compensation from vendors. These services are designed to assist practices in evaluating and selecting technology appropriate for their needs.
Health IT consultants begin by analyzing your current business practices. They study your business as a whole including your goals, your work-flow involving patients, payers, providers, staff, regulatory constraints, HIPAA etc. The end result will be an understanding of your operational characteristics and priorities, ensuring that your system needs will be met by the selected vendor and system.
Non-vendor specific consultants fill the gap left by software vendors in the sense that they have a broader knowledge of technology and can focus on additional system components related to the software such as Disaster Recovery Plan to protect your critical data, system security to protect against network intruders and HIPAA compliance. Your consultants can assume the role of facilitator for the demonstrations and provide independent input during the presentations. They can effectively analyze the vendor product functionality, usability, and company viability.
While vendors generally provide standard proposals, Health IT consultants develop RFPs that can answer specific needs of your practice. Following the completion of the RFP, they analyze the responses and catalog the information in a comparative format, allowing for the evaluation of each vendor’s true ability to accomplish your goals. This unmatched combination of market research and real-world healthcare assessment gives your decision makers the tools they need to eliminate wasteful technology spending, avoid the inefficiency of trial and error, and discover a superior alternative to "guess" decisions.
When system problems occur, Health IT consultants understand your total environment. A phone call provides a local support option with one source for integrating hardware with software, providing day-to-day support and ensuring your office stays up and running. You are not in a situation where the software vendor is pointing at the equipment and the equipment vendor is blaming the software.
A knowledgeable helping hand saves time and money, whether your office is considering an upgrade with your current Practice Management Software, exploring an Electronic Medical Records application, or forecasting your future hardware requirements.
|
