Thursday, May 27, 2010

Government Stimulus Package Provides Physicians with EMR

Due to a government stimulus package, approximately $640 million has become available for extension centers in regions throughout the country in order to help small medical practices adopt new, technologically advanced programs and make use of health information technologies such as electronic medical records.
In the April issue of Health Affairs a study was released to the public. Its theory stated that regional extension centers may be understaffed, underfunded or both. In order to help get private practices the assistance they so desperately require, massive amounts of funding and technological assistance needed to be provided to them. In order to learn and make use EMR programs, staff would have to be located and trained, which could lead to even more underfunding and understaffing. The situation was looking dire. But, a few days later the Department of Health and Human Services released $267 million to fund the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act. This act pertains to 28 regional centers, bringing the total number of fully funded centers up to 60 from 32.

This is life changing news for patients, staff and physician affected by the lack of funding, technology and understaffing. This government funding is the launching point for many private physicians to improve the health and safety of their patients and practices. Regional extension centers will also help provide Medical Billing Software technology to make insurance claims run more smoothly and efficiently.

EMR enables doctor's offices, hospitals and specialists to share medical records which reduce potentially deadly errors. A hypothetical scenario is this: when medications have been prescribed by one doctor and another doctor prescribes medications that could have harmful interactions, Electronic Medical Records software alerts them.

Electronic medical records are able to be upgraded to do scheduling of surgeries, operations rooms, specialist and general practitioner and patient scheduling.
EMR software packages with the most extensive service packages will be the most often implemented.

Healthtec Software is a full service company provides free demos, 24 hour per day customer service and a huge selection of software plans to fit healthcare practices needs. Their customer service and sales group customizes packages for ever practice, and even leases programs, enabling choices to be more affordable for small, medium and large practices. To learn more about Healthtec Software, visit http://www.healthtec-software.com/.