Should You Replace Your EHR?

More and more, practices are replacing their existing ambulatory EHRs. According to a recent study, ambulatory EHR replacement rates increased by 20 percent since 2011.

Why are practices switching?• Lack of strong vendor support• Lagging product development• Consolidation of disparate systems• EHR fails to live up to claims made

by vendor• EHR hinders efficiency and

productivity

Should you make the switch?If you're thinking about replacing your current EHR, consider the following seven questions to determine if EHR replacement is right for you:

Should you make the switch?1. Could the issues be resolved through remediation? If so, is the vendor responsive to your needs and concerns? If your vendor is unwilling to work with you to resolve critical issues, it is time to find a new vendor.

Should you make the switch?2. Could the vendor resolve the issues by making technical improvements? If so, will the vendor commit to making the needed improvements in a reasonable time frame? If not, begin the process of evaluating other EHR systems.

Should you make the switch?3. Is your practice at least partially responsible for the issues? If your organization has done everything possible to resolve issues and your vendor is unwilling to take the necessary steps to resolve the problems, swapping your EHR may make sense.

Should you make the switch?4. Is your current EHR product/vendor stable enough to be in business for the long-term? If your current EHR vendor is not privately held and financially stable, consider making the switch to an EHR partner that can commit to your success in the long run.

Should you make the switch?5. What penalties apply if you terminate the contact? Review the termination clause in your current EHR contract to find out what it will cost if your organization decides to make the switch before your contract has expired.

Should you make the switch?6. Can your organization's goals, such as achieving Meaningful Use, be accomplished using your current EHR? If your current EHR is holding your organization back from meeting its goals, the switch to a new EHR may very well be worthwhile.

Should you make the switch?7. Is your current system negatively impacting physician productivity? An EHR that hampers productivity now will only grow worse as the complexities of health reform initiatives increase in the future.

Now what?If your issues with your previous vendor cannot be resolved, select a new EHR vendor that can provide:• Rapid implementation• Smooth data migration• More results• Better service

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