When we begin our EHR optimization reviews, we always begin by looking at the big picture. We ask about everything from your current team’s knowledge and skill level with the EHR and your current challenges and questions to your clinical and operational performance goals. Different practices have different visions for ideal EHR functionality, but nearly all practices have room for improvement when it comes to optimizing their eClinicalWorks use. The reality is, there is no one-size-fits-all best practice, it comes down to what is best for your practice’s unique needs.
Choose Optimal Products/Features/Integrations to Drive Efficiencies and Productivity
We find that many of our clients are unsure whether they use the optimal selection of eClinicalWorks EHR products, features, and integrations. The best starting point to leverage the maximum potential of the eClinicalWorks EHR is to determine your practice’s goals, workflows, and challenges. We wrote a post about the most common products, features, and integrations we suggest to our eClinicalWorks optimization clients.
Customize Reporting to Maximize Incentive Payments and Drive Performance Goals
A strong starting point is to assess reporting requirements for MIPS and other programs your practice is participating in and to document the key metrics that drive your practice’s performance goals. We suggest upgrading from eClinicalWorks system-standard APL reporting to their eBO reporting and possibly including the custom reporting tool included with the full version of eBO. Through these tools, an eClinicalWorks expert can help you set up insightful and actionable reports that are tailored to your practice’s unique needs.
Analyze Use and Ensure your Staff and Providers are Well-Trained to Leverage the System
Very often, we find that practices are using eClinicalWorks, but are not tapping into the most beneficial features for their practice. Fortunately, eClinicalWorks offers robust training resources and eClinicalWorks experts like Physician Select Management can work with your staff to determine missed opportunities within the system and provide consulting to encourage more effective use of the system. Small things—such as scanning and linking the scanned results document to lab, or implementing smart search, rather than struggling with eClincialWorks limited classic diagnosis search—can save your practice loads of valuable time. We suggest making regular training and education in the use of eClinicalWorks a priority because it will pay dividends in added time and cost efficiencies down the line.
Conclusion
The key to optimizing your eClinicalWorks is understanding your practice’s unique set up needs based on your staff and providers knowledge level of the system, the scope of your practice, and your practice’s performance goals. Once you understand those, you can work with an eClinicalWorks expert to select the most effective products, features, and integrations for your facility, determine reporting for your unique needs, and ensure your staff is well-supported with training and education resources to maximize effective use of the system on an ongoing basis.