By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    What Are the Benefits of CBD?
    November 27, 2021
    How to Measure Adult Diapers- The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Right Size
    March 8, 2022
    medicine cabinet
    The Effect Of Finished Dosage Form Manufacturing In New Drugs
    July 5, 2022
    Latest News
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
    5 Steps to a Promising Career as a Healthcare Administrator
    August 3, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Ebola Education, Hospital Marketing, Healthcare Marketing, Healthcare Communication
    Hospital Marketing and Ebola: Communication and Education Needed
    October 30, 2014
    healthcare IT
    The Billion Dollar Healthcare IT Opportunity That the US Government Wasted
    January 27, 2013
    red bull
    Downing Energy Drinks: A Real Buzz Kill
    March 17, 2015
    Latest News
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Transitioning To Electronic Health Records: From Financing To Implementation
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Medical Records > Transitioning To Electronic Health Records: From Financing To Implementation
Medical Records

Transitioning To Electronic Health Records: From Financing To Implementation

jennacyprus
jennacyprus
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

Due to a combination of forces related to both technological advancement and requirements under the Affordable Care Act, more medical practices and hospitals are transitioning to electronic health records (EHR). These systems can be expensive both to acquire and implement, however. Luckily, if your practice is working towards EHR implementation, there are many resources at your disposal, financial and otherwise. Here are some tips to help make your move from analog to digital a little smoother.

Contents
  • Financing Your EHR System
  • Handling Implementation
  • Managing Digital Security
  • Patient Responses

Financing Your EHR System

There are several costly components to EHR implementation. Some are concrete – you’ll need to invest in hardware and software to run your system – while other costs are more nebulous, related to transferring information, training staff, and handling the downtime between systems. There are a lot of different parts to the process. You won’t need to finance your EHR system entirely on your own, however. There are companies that offer loans and there are also tax benefits to investing in these systems. Even if you only lease your system, tax code generally views these lease expenses as business overhead. You can deduct overhead expenses, making EHR ultimately less expensive than it may seem at first glance. Of course, you can also deduct the purchase of an EHR system, and owning your own system can be a valuable investment over time. By purchasing your system outright, your practice can keep potential financing options open for other emergencies. If you have the cash, this can be the best way to go.

Handling Implementation

When you choose to transition from paper medical records to an EHR system, the most laborious part of the process is the initial implementation phase. During this phase you’ll need to get all of your paper files entered into the new system. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself juggling two different systems and likely losing out on important information in the meantime. Simply put, it’s hard to use two different systems simultaneously. Unfortunately, it can require a lot of extra labor on the part of practice staff to enter all of your patient information into the new system, and you may have to bring on additional temporary staff in order to get this task done. But it’s also vital that this process not be rushed because errors during the transcription process can cause miscommunication, confusion, and outright patient harm. This could open your practice up to malpractice claims, a risk amplified when incorrect information is copied and pasted repeatedly in a record.

Managing Digital Security

Another major concern when transitioning to an EHR system is digital security. It’s much easier to suffer a large-scale security breach when your information is digital than when it’s tucked away in hundreds of individual, scribbled files in your office. You’ll want to consult someone with digital security expertise who can help your firm with encryption and other necessary security practices. One easy security precaution that too few practices using an EHR system take is restricting user access to necessary files. When everything is stored in a digital system it’s very easy to simply grant users access to all areas. By restricting what sectors individual users can access, you reduce the likelihood of a HIPAA infraction.

More Read

eHealth
Electronic Health Records: Still Not Good Enough (Part 2)
HIMSS Moving Forward
Top Digital Health Innovations That Will Transform Healthcare
The Case for Regulating EMRs and the New FDA MDDS Rules
Flipping the Clinic Visit

Patient Responses

In the face of all the challenges and obstacles to introducing EHR systems, the response from patients has been excellent. Overall patients are pleased with the increased access to their doctors and records produced by EHR systems. Most of these systems include patient portals that allow for digital messaging between doctors and patients and easy access to medical test results. This can make things easier for office staff who don’t have to field extra phone calls and for busy patients who aren’t widely available during office hours. In this regard, then, such systems are good for everyone. Whether you’re at the beginning of your EHR system transition or looking to improve staff practices, there’s always more to learn about how to use these systems more effectively. With most practices still in transition, best practices for these systems are still being developed, but for now, doctors and medical support staff alike are working diligently to provide the best and most technologically up-to-date care possible.

TAGGED:EHR adoptionEHR implementation
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

engineer fitting prosthetic arm
How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
Health care
August 20, 2025
a woman explaining the document
How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
Public Health
August 20, 2025
physiotherapist at work
How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
Health care
August 20, 2025
Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs
7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
Health News
August 20, 2025

You Might also Like

The PCMH and Home Care Data: An Interview with Melissa McCormack

December 19, 2013
Cloning
Medical Records

EMR-Wars: Attack of the Clones

September 28, 2012
EHR epidemic
eHealthMedical Records

Electronic Health Records Epidemic is Here – Who Will be Infected Next?

August 10, 2012
Image
Medical RecordsPolicy & Law

The Legal Repercussions Of Tech-Based HIPAA Breaches

October 21, 2016
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?