Step Five — Make the Most of Vendor Demos
Seeing the EHR you’re considering in action is an important opportunity to learn about the system and whether it will fit your needs. That’s why vendors offer demos of their products. These tips will help you get the most out of that demonstration.
To prepare for the demo, write down a few scenarios common in your practice and ask each vendor the same set of questions. Consider questions about:
- Importing demographics and immunizations
- Prescriptions customization
- Documenting developmental information
- Plotting BMI
- Remote access
Focus on how the EHR helps you find patient information, manage health maintenance, review labs, and write prescriptions. An EHR is much more than a note-taking system.
Create a rating form and ask your colleagues to fill it out after each demo. The form should rate compatibility with your needs, workflow goals, and overall ease of use/flexibility.
While asking the vendor for a list of local physicians using their EHR is key, remember that list will probably be made of their supporters. Looking beyond that list is a requirement.
One place to look for that feedback is our Messageboard. There, you can get feedback about the system you’re considering from colleagues with similar practices.
Check references. Call at least three of the customer references given to you by vendors. Look for references that include one or more physicians, senior management, and an information technology staffer.
Prepare for these calls by making a list of questions like:
- How are the templates? Were they pre-loaded? How are they edited?
- What percentage of providers uses the EHR?
- What functions are most used?
- Do providers still dictate?
- Have you saved money or broken even?
- Does the EHR interface with your lab?
- How many interfaces do have?
- What PMS do you use?
- How does remote access work?
- How have patients reacted?
- What don’t you like about your EHR?
- Have you had downtime?