Blackstone Valley Community Health Center
Blackstone Valley Community Health Center is JCAHO accredited offering pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, behavioral health, and dental services
Role:
Medical Director
City of Practice:
Pawtucket/Central Falls
In Practice Since:
1972
Physicians in Practice:
8 physicians, 2 mid-wives, 1 physician assistant, 2 social workers, 5 dentists
EHR Solution:
NextGen EHR, EPM and EDR
Date Implemented:
July, 2007
Average Patient Volume per Month:
10,500 unique patient in 2008, 50,000 total visits
What are the benefits you have realized from EHR Adoption?
Marked increase in availability of necessary information. Significant decrease in Medical Records staff and capture of previous MR space for clinical use. Ease of reporting for incentive programs. Improved quality of care by using reporting tools proactively to monitor patient needs for testing and follow up. Increased productivity with same support staff by workflow redesign, etc.
Marked increase in availability of necessary information. Significant decrease in Medical Records staff and capture of previous MR space for clinical use. Ease of reporting for incentive programs. Improved quality of care by using reporting tools proactively to monitor patient needs for testing and follow up. Increased productivity with same support staff by workflow redesign, etc.
What advice would you offer a physician planning to adopt an EHR?
Be certain that the system chosen is delivering what you need for your practice - it may be fine product but not what you want for your practice. Know and understand what you want as a user. Make site visits to current users. Do not let IT staff drive the project. This is about you and your patients. Look at costs over time - initial hardware and software, training, maintainance, replacement hardware, upgrades - not just initial price. Don't skimp on training and planning. Front end time and effort will pay major dividends at go live.
Be certain that the system chosen is delivering what you need for your practice - it may be fine product but not what you want for your practice. Know and understand what you want as a user. Make site visits to current users. Do not let IT staff drive the project. This is about you and your patients. Look at costs over time - initial hardware and software, training, maintainance, replacement hardware, upgrades - not just initial price. Don't skimp on training and planning. Front end time and effort will pay major dividends at go live.
What financial strategies did you use to pay for your EHR?
Out-of-pocket by not having insurer incentives go into general operating budget.
Out-of-pocket by not having insurer incentives go into general operating budget.