Electronic Health Records For Dummies

Supporting yourself

In addition to the vendor, you are a great source of support. The more that you and your staff can do in the system, the better off you will be. Rather than paying someone to tweak your EHR or waiting to get an update from the vendor, you can learn to make changes yourself when you need them. Many vendors offer specific training classes to help you become efficient in building and designing your EHR.

Here are some things you can do to support yourself:

Vendor training: Many vendors provide a formal training program for their clients, which is a great way to become more self-sufficient as a trainer or builder in the EHR. Generally, classes are held at the vendor’s headquarters and you dedicate two to three weeks to become “certified” in the EHR.

Web site: Your vendor may have a Web site where you can share materials with other practices. For example, you can find physician notes and quality reports that you can tweak for your office.

Conferences: Typically, vendors host annual conferences for their clients. This is a great opportunity to discover what other practices are doing and what new features the vendor is rolling out. (Before you know it, you might even be presenting at the next conference.) You also make great contacts with other practices and can share information regularly.

Local groups: Work with other practices in your area. Many times the best sources of information are the clinicians who are using an EHR daily.

RECs: Your Regional Extension Center ...