When it comes to choosing the right electronic health record system for your organization, there are several factors to consider. Some of these include interoperability, e-prescriptions, referrals, and ICD-10 compliance. By identifying the key components that are important to you, you can better determine which solution will best serve your needs.
Today, we will cover Nextech and PrognoCIS EHR software.
ICD-10 compliance
ICD-10 is the newest version of the International Classification of Diseases. This is a diagnostic tool created by the World Health Organization. It is used by health information technology workers, insurers, and patient organizations to aid in the treatment of illness. Currently, there are 70,000 diagnosis codes.
The ICD-10 code was introduced in October 2015. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is pushing for rapid adoption. However, providers need to make sure their systems are up to the task. Otherwise, they will be penalized for using an outmoded system. Luckily, there are plenty of vendors that provide this service.
There are many resources available for physicians looking to make the transition. For example, if you work at a doctor’s office, you may want to check out the CMSC’s list of resources for specialty-specific codes.
Interoperability
EHR interoperability is a technical capability of transferring health data between two or more health EHR applications using secure communication channels. Interoperable platforms enable doctors and nurses to access and analyze relevant health information. These systems eliminate manual processes and errors and increase patient satisfaction and the quality of care.
An integrated cloud-based EHR software, Nextech EMR offers functional solutions for medical practices of all sizes. Its PrognoCIS API is certified to the HL7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) protocols. Using this API, physicians and nurses can extract patient information and send it to another clinic. This allows for a seamless exchange of health data.
EHRs collect vast amounts of information. Managing unstructured data is one of the most challenging challenges. To overcome this issue, healthcare organizations need to adopt standards-based terminologies and format. By doing so, they can solve the issue of duplicate data.
E-prescriptions
The e-prescription has taken on a life of its own in the last ten years, with the majority of practitioners choosing the route to keep tabs on their patients. While it isn’t the sexiest, it does offer several benefits for both providers and patients. For instance, it helps cut down on the number of phone calls required to make an appointment.
As for software vendors, there are several to choose from. Many are more focused on large practices, so you’re not likely to find the best fit for your small practice. Nextech is one such company, with over 4,000 practices on their books. They provide a suite of slick cloud-based solutions for both the office and on-the-go, including the aforementioned EMR. One thing you won’t find at their helm is a slew of slick services that are aimed at small, single-provider practices.
Diagnostic lab orders
If your physician or clinical staff requires lab and radiology tests, they can use Computerized Physician Order Entry to order these tests. This tool allows physicians to send the order electronically or by mail. Once a test is ordered, the results will be expected within a few days.
When an order is created, a list of the required tests is displayed. These are saved and can be edited and searched. The order will also automatically split into separate Lab Orders. Each Lab Order has the same Lab Order number, but can have different names or suffixes. In addition, individual orders have their own status, including Approved, Partially Approved, or Denied.
When a patient consents to a laboratory test, the Lab Ordering Provider creates the lab order. The Laboratory Vendor will then process the order and print out an ABN.
