Our client operates a specialty clinic consisting of one partner and an administrative assistant. Tucked within a large bustling shopping center, her modest and busy office treats a high volume of patients—around 500-800 patients each month. Like many small clinics, our client maintained a traditional paper-based patient record system before she decided to go digital.

GMD: Do you have past experience with EHRs/EMRs?

Client: Yes, I’ve tried as many as 4 or 5 different programs over the last two years. I found problems in varying degrees with all of them. My primary frustrations concerned the lack of flexibility and expense associated with the programs. Previous systems failed to compliment my practice and existing work-flowE. We only utilized 10% percent of the programs we tried; the rest were unnecessary complexities that did not justify the expense or time invested.

GMD: What features of EHR are most important to you?

Client: Simplicity! An EHR should be simple to use and provide smooth interfacing with labs. Affordability, reliability, and security are the most significant features of an EHR. The advantage of saving space is important to me as well. We have a large patient load which translates into a high volume of records to maintain within a limited amount of space. A good EHR should alleviate the problem.

GMD: How important is document privacy?

Client: Extremely important. Health-care providers and vendors must be compliant with HIPPA and Data Protection laws. Quality Assurance measures should be in place to meet government requirements and ensure document security.

GMD: How do you feel about data storage? Would you prefer to have it on-site or would you mind off-site?

Client: I wouldn’t mind off-site data storage as long as accessibility was protected and secure. Regardless of data storage logistics, patient records should be fully accessible to the physician and patient. Internet connection is a “must” as the most efficient means of transferring and storing information off-site.

GMD: What kind of payment program would you prefer, i.e. usage based, pay per subscription, or flat fee?

Client: I would prefer a flat-fee payment program with the option to pay for updates. Maintenance needs to be balanced, as this often determines purchase decisions. Previous programs I’ve tried charged per computer which was very discouraging. Networks should be all inclusive.

Given the high failure rates doctors experience with EHR, it’s not surprising why many doctors are reluctant to go through the headaches and costs associated with EHR adoption. The problem is perpetuated by vendors who are more concerned with pushing their products than fitting the client’s needs. At Global MedData, our philosophy is different. The key to our integrative solutions and successful alliance with clients is Customization. We take methodical steps in identifying an organization’s work-flow settings and design systems tailored to their needs. Our customized approach to system development offers unequaled reliability, efficiency, and affordability.

Global MedData is an international leading provider of medical transcription and technology solutions headquartered in Redwood City, California with subsidiaries located in Europe and Asia. For over ten years, GMD has provided digital transcription services and modular EHR to physicians, hospitals and clinics in both large and small practices.

For more Information or to request a Free Trial contact: sales@globalmeddata.net

The Oblama Healthcare stimulus incentives includes grant programs, education and technical assistance to help small and medium business physicians. GMD can assist with the new economic stimulus law to provide the doctors with financial and technical assistance to adopt health IT / EHR.

Small (five or fewer physicians working in a single office ) and medium practices face special challenges and require significant assistance to qualify, implement, effectively use health IT and ensure compliance with EHR.

Ravi Narayanan, Chief Strategy Officer, GMD observes that “There’s a need for focused technical assistance for small and medium health care practices. Many physicians in these practices today definitely want to implement EHR, but feel constrained, not having the ability to invest in EHR technology systems. GMD can help physicians, including those in solo / small and medium practices, qualify / receive upto $25,000-$30,000 under Medicare in incentive payments for being meaningful users of electronic health records (EHRs)”. He also beleives that “It is imperative that physicians follow a disciplined approach in purchasing EHR systems, including assessing needs, selecting a vendor, and implementing workflow changes to improve their clinical performance and outcomes”

On the compliance front, per the Health and Human Services Depart, doctors’ offices and hospitals that refuse to adopt electronic records systems will have reduced Medicare and Medicaid payments.

Be in the knowhow and Sign up for continued insights and updates on the stimulus and how it will affect your office.

Based on discussions with current and potential physician practices, Global MedData has identified the following as key barriers to adoption:

• High up front financial costs are a crucial concern and primary barrier to adoption with either slow or uncertain financial payoffs.
• Upfront costs could range from $12000 to $30000 per physician.
• Decreased revenue and disruption to practice; fewer patients during EMR transition period.
• Other underlying barriers include difficulties with new technology – multitude of screens, i.e. clunky templates and user interface options are overwhelming.
• Clinical management challenges due to operational changes and lack of solid support
• A high failure rate of EHR implementations; as many as 50-80 percent of adoptions are unsuccessful

These barriers are more pronounced in small to mid group practices, a substantial majority, in the US.

Global MedData is a proven reliable and qualified resource for assisting clinicians with successful EHR implementations. We work closely with you to identify your organization’s unique operational setting and develop a customized blue-print for transitioning to EHR. With your needs in mind, we take an organized and methodical approach to system development. The results are customized solutions that support existing workflow practices and ensure the integrity and security of the entire document management process.
“The key is to take small customized steps toward adoption by starting with your needs based assessment. Physicians need to work with organizations who are on top of EHR compliance mandates from the government and those who will help design a roadmap and system tailored to their needs. GMD facilitates successful EHR adoptions through sequencing and prioritization, role and process redesign, training, knowledge transfer, and the right overall governance,” says Ravi Narayanan, CSO of GMD.

Global MedData, Inc is a provider of digital transcription services and modular EHR to physician practices, clinics and hospitals in the U.S. and to the National Health Service facilities in the U.K.

For more information and a free trial email us at sales@globalmeddata.net

References:  http://govhealthit.com/articles/2009/03/25/ehr-adoption-abysmally-low-in-hospitals.aspx

As HITECH swings further into motion, the time has come for the healthcare industry and its constituents to prepare for the impending changes. The beginning stages of HITECH’s strategic plan calls for tighter requirements in regard to security and privacy. As a result, the framework of HIPPA will be redefined in accordance to more stringent compliance requirements.

Global MedData is staying on top of the new developments to ensure continued compliance with HIPPA, and supporting customers through the process of change.  As pioneers of leading-edge technology, GMD understands that progress is an art form. The company has been driving healthcare change through timely, innovative, and intelligent technology solutions for 10 years.

“The time is ripe for innovation while ensuring compliance with the HITECH Act,” says Ravi Narayanan, CSO of Global MedData.  “Leading healthcare constituents talk to us at GMD when they want to stay on top of regulatory and EHR compliance developments. They work with us since we understand and provide insights and changes they can make today to their internal processes and systems.”

Global MedData is a provider of digital transcription services and modular EHR to physician practices, clinics, and hospitals in the U.S. and the National Health Service facilities in the U.K.

For more information or for a free trial—email us at sales@globalmeddata.net

GMD Global Organizer enables physicians, hospitals and patients to more cost effectively and securely view integrated information—from medical records and lab results to personal health information and appointment scheduling. With GMD’s iTranscript, Workflow, and Organizer clinicians now have more robust decision making power and the ability to turn data into information and intelligence.

Dr. Raj Patel, CEO of Global MedData, says that the simplicity associated with the use of Global Organizer is not only convenient, but enjoyable, as well.

“Global MedData’s Global Organizer provides the easiest to use medical records system available. The user experience is so Google-like that searching and navigating medical information is no longer a chore. Meanwhile, editing medical records is as easy as entering information into an Outlook Calendar. If you want to associate a file on your desktop with a medical record, Global Organizer provides the ability to drag and drop the file from your system into the web browser. It’s just so easy to work with that you are not only immediately productive, but using it is fun!”

GMD has revolutionized successful IT and business solutions by offering unequaled reliability, affordability, and quality. Along with the significant cost savings to be gained through GMD’s workflow intelligence, our customizable solutions are scaled for speed and size of practice to ensure maximum efficiency. That’s the real power of GMD—innovation, intelligence and information that is not only accurate, timely, and unbiased but more cost effective than legacy or expensive EHRs .

With Global MedData, it’s not just business—it’s a valuable partnership.  Working together; we can eliminate waiting on potential and start producing excellence in both productivity and patient care, now.

Global MedData is a provider of digital transcription services and modular EHR to physician practices, clinics and hospitals in the U.S. and to the National Health Service facilities in the U.K   For more information or for a free trial—email us at sales@globalmeddata.net

Ken Beasley, CEO of a Tennessee practice, gave his take on conventional vs. lightweight EHR in a recent article released through Health Data Management:

[…] “Where I’ve seen them implemented they’ve really slowed the doctors down,” Beasley says. He argues that most of these systems are too cumbersome to use, requiring doctors to point-and-click templates or type in their notes. A far more efficient method, he contends, is to continue the age-old practice of doctors dictating notes for transcription. Many records systems are so complex, he argues, that practices frequently use only a small fraction of their costly functions.”¹

Global MedData, a technology and business solution provider based in the U.S., and in the U.K., has been equipping hospitals and clinics with affordable and scalable electronic transcription systems since 1990. Dr. Raj Patel, President and CEO of Global MedData, shares the belief that automation can be achieved more efficiently with the right solutions.

“We stand behind doctors and provide the applications they want, rather than boggling them down with suites that they won’t use,” he states.

While technology proves to be a powerful tool for improving the overall performance of an organization, clinics should do their homework before jumping into a complex set-up. Statistics show 30% of practices that adopt an EHR end up de-installing it later. The key to avoiding such a costly mistake is to assess your needs and plan ahead.

“The success of EHR implementation is ultimately determined by how well it fits into existing workflow systems,” Dr. Patel contends.

Global MedData has designed their product with those factors in mind. The goal is to help physicians streamline operations and enable them to focus more on practicing medicine, and in turn, improve the quality of patient care. The company provides affordable technology and effective business solutions based on open standards, interoperability, seamless integration, and without upfront investment.

Global MedData is a provider of digital transcription services and modular EHR to physician practices, clinics and hospitals in the U.S. and to the National Health Service facilities in the U. K.

For more information email us at: sales@globalmeddata.net

References:  http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/02/02/bisa0202.html

http://www.healthdatamanagement.com/news/EHR-28060-htm?typ=pr…

One of the major challenges nurses face is the valuable use of time. A study conducted by Ascension Health, the largest non-profit Catholic health system in the U.S., revealed that caregivers spent 48 percent of their time on tasks unrelated to direct patient care. Under current paper-based management systems, these activities perpetuate a disjointed and inefficient work environment. Technology equips nurses with efficiency and promotes improved nursing practice by streamlining workflow and allowing nurses to spend more time involved in patient care.

Until recently, nurses have had limited input regarding IT deployment. Solution providers, such as Global MedData, recognize the leading role of nurses in the development and procurement of health IT. The company cultivates technology products through extensive collaboration with administrators, nurses, and physicians.

“EHR adoption is most successful when the system fits into the existing workflows. Nurses manage the bulk of clinical workflow, so their support and acceptance is vital during the selection and implementation process,” says Dr. Raj Patel, CEO and President of Global MedData. “We approach our system designs from the ground up, and nurses bring significant value to the table.”

Global MedData offers the leading-edge technology and applications doctors and nurses need to be productive and deliver high quality care.  The company provides affordable technology and business solutions that are fit to scale. With systems based on open standards, operability, and seamless integration, Global MedData has consistently achieved a 40-60% savings for clinics and hospitals.

Global MedData is a provider of digital transcription services and EHR to physician practices and clinics in the U.S. and to the National Health Service Hospitals in the U.K. For more information

Email us at: sales@globalmeddata.com

Sources: http://www.ania.org/resources.htm

The HIT components of the stimulus package converged to form the Health Information Technology Act for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act).  HITECH authorizes $20 billion in grants, loans, and incentive payments in an effort to meet the substantial challenges of implementing a new digital infrastructure head-on. 

Beginning in 2011, incentive payments for physicians and hospitals participating in the Medicare program will be eligible to receive a capped amount of $15,000 for the first year of participation contingent upon demonstrating that they are “meaningful EHR users” of certified technology. This means they must submit “quality measures” and other reporting information on the use of EHR to the Department of Health and Human Services.  Each successive year beyond 2011 decreases available allotments; $12,000 for the second year; $8,000 for the third year; $ 4,000 for the fourth year; $2,000 for the fifth year and $0 for any succeeding years.

Fewer than 17% of doctors and 10% of hospitals have full-fledged EMR systems in place due to a myriad of obstacles:  their affordability, the lack of uniformity among software, the daunting technical and logistical challenges of installing, and maintaining, and updating them, the potentially dangerous disruption to clinical practice and patient care, and concerns about the security and privacy of electronic health information. 

Even with the new federal incentives in place, most independent physicians and small practices may not be able to afford the cost of buying in-house systems. Health information technology and solution providers like Global MedData can make it extremely cost effective and simple to deliver a targeted and timely system to all constituents of health care; including the patient themselves. 

“Global MedData can help doctors leverage their existing legacy data through customized EMR systems reinforced with open standards, interoperability, and seamless integration,” explains Global MedData CSO, Ravi Narayaran.  “Our user interface ensures consistency and accuracy while streamlining operations of workflow management and improving quality of patient care.”

Global MedData is a provider of digital transcription services and HER to physician practices and clinics in the U.S. and to the National Health Service Hospitals in the U.K.  For more information email us at: sales@globalmeddata.net  

Sources:

 http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMp9091592

http://www.bassberry.com/communicationscenter/newsletters/