Not an EP? If you know the ropes, here are other ways EMR can save you cash.

If you have not seen or lead a conversion from paper records to an EMR system, you are least aware that the process is a big undertaking - that very often results in even lower productivity and more confusion. As such, is the change really worth it? Experts agree that going electronic is worth it. Here's why:

1. Open more cash inlets

There are many research studies which pull their data through electronic records. Therefore if you cannot tune in to participate, opportunities for cash perks will fly by. For instance, grant money and incentive programs are available and they want data in the electronic form, according to Francine Wheelock, PT, MPA, manager of clinical systems for MaineGeneral Health. Just take a look at the nationwide push for value-based purchasing and outcome data, and expect to take the electronic route if you want to be in the loop.

Remain alert: Last year, the federal government launched HITECH act, which plans to pay eligible healthcare professionals incentives for the "meaningful use: of certain EMRs.

Kate Romanow, director of health care regulatory advocacy for the American Speech-Language Hearing Association confirms, under the HITECH act, some providers like SLPs, OTs and PTs are not classified as 'EPs' under the HITECH Act and are therefore not eligible for the incentive payment. However, she says they may be eligible in the future, so therapists may want to think about implementing EHR now.

To add to it, you increase coordination of care with healthcare providers who are eligible for HITECH incentives and are going for EHRs, according to Sarah Nicholls, assistant director for payment policy and advocacy for the American Physical Therapy Association. As such, think about your business interactions with those that are eligible today.

2. Quality of care gets a boost

Electronic systems oftentimes provide access to a database of national outcomes data from users of the same software, a jewel for weighing and boosting your care.

One more perk: Wheelock notes, "Many of the systems will connect you to research on best practices for treating certain diagnoses. Therefore, an EMR can really help drive evidence-based practice."

Electronic systems can help standardize your care too. For instance, if your practice witnesses the same diagnosis quite often, you could build shells for care plans so that you have some standardization of care to begin with.

3. Your clients anticipate EMRs

If you work for a rehab agency or are an independent contractor, whoever is buying your rehab services wants to see a modern operation. Kate Brewer, PT, MBA, GCS, VP of Greenfield Rehabilitation Agency in Greenfield, Wis.says, "Switching to an EMR is vital because when a customer wants you as the vendor to do so, you need to continue to meet the customer's expectation."

Another idea: A more modern feel in your clinic may also help bring in new patients who are shopping around for a therapist and are alert to little details like staying tuned to the times.

4. Errors get caught in their tracks

Did you forget to include a start date on your plan of care? Are you ready to code a claim and miss a CCI edit? Electronic billing and documentation systems can catch these mistakes before they cost you money.

Here's how: Wheelock explains, "Whether it is for a billing purpose, a compliance purpose or a best practice, you can program a documentation system to force users to answer certain questions before proceeding."

Garry Woessner, MA-CCC, MBA, CAS, regional director of Benedictine Health System in Minneapolis cheers, "We've made good progress (with our EMR) and it has definitely improved our clean claims, improved our compliance and helped train the therapists in how to do good documentation."

You can save yourself the hassle of certain HIPAA violations also. Wheelock recalls, "I used to be in home care, and until we went to an EHR, charts would get lost." "To add to it, there was no way to know unless you physically went in and looked at every chart if someone was tardy with their billing."

5. Easy access makes life smoother

Implementing an EMR system is had toil, but the convenience of pulling up a patient record in a matter of seconds, and having it portable too, is worth its weight in gold.

For instance, consider home care therapists who are driving around to various sites and need to get hold of patient history from a central server. Wheelock says, linking to a server remotely is now possible and some EMR systems will even let you do so through a phone line. The ability to connect to a central database is also a huge convenience for therapy organization with multiple sites.

As a matter of fact, easy access to a patient record is important for any facility. Say for instance a SNF setting working with a therapist shortage. "One therapist may be moving around to different facilities to tend to patients, thus not always available on site to discuss the patients with nursing," proposes Wheelock. But with an EMR in place, "the nurse, who is still back in the facility, can pull up the therapy information quite easily and quickly if she requires to."

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