Cerner Offers EHR Solutions to the Biggest Problem in Healthcare: Burden on Physicians

The sheer amount of responsibilities and information the average physician has to deal with on a daily basis all too commonly leads to burnout. In an interview with EHRIntelligence.com, Esther Hsiang, MD calls this out: 

“Providers, especially primary care providers in the outpatient primary care setting, are expected to do so many different things in terms of addressing patient problems and remembering health maintenance screening, including cancer screenings and often [in] increasingly shorter and shorter visits.”

EHR software, like Cerner, is a natural step toward relieving some of the burnout physicians experience. Cerner offers solutions to the most common problems physicians deal with:

  • Automated billing, revenue cycle tracking, and analytics
  • Customized modules and forms for most specialties
  • Easily accessible patient charts even from other healthcare institutions: Cerner Powerchart
  • Integrated systems allowing a ‘big picture’ view of patients’ information
  • Simplification of paperwork and documentation

Hospitals and clinics need a robust but user-friendly EHR system to remain competitive in this digital age. According to a 2019 survey, only 53% of primary care providers in the US can exchange patient information with other specialty providers. While some poorly implemented EHRs can actually add to clinician burden, the demand for software innovations drives Cerner and other EHRs to improve their systems. The Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs were originally on Vista, but needed to upgrade their software. Cerner presented a solid pitch and won the massive implementation deal. 

ReMedi and Cerner Keep Physicians Focused on Patients, Not Paperwork

ReMedi is a physician-owned and driven IT Solutions company that helps healthcare institutions implement EHRs. As Physicians, ReMedi understands just how EHRs offer limitless value to healthcare institutions through personalized and efficient software solutions including:

  • Reduction in errors through automated processes and checking
  • Speeding up processes with pre-built, customized forms and orders
  • Immediate access to test results or specialist observations

All these quality-of-life improvements help physicians with their workflow, but they also help patients have a better experience. Automated nudges, predictive analytics, and decision support tools from an EHR, can help increase preventative screenings that clinicians might have missed. Customized screens, workflows, and charts help physicians keep track of all the relevant information with each patient. Integrated systems among an entire healthcare institute make it easier to order tests with specialists and then less time waiting for the results of those tests. Any care provider to a patient has access to all the data of that patient as well, meaning that each physician has a better understanding of each patient’s ‘big picture.’

The benefits of Cerner and EHRs don’t stop after a single visit either.

Post-Visit Care and How Cerner’s Benefits Continue Outside the Office

A good relationship requires communication, and the same is true for a doctor-patient relationship. Cerner helps build channels for communication between patients and physicians even outside of the office. With support for patient portals and apps, it can be easy for patients to keep track of their current data and procedures. Cerner also implemented a drug price transparency app that allows patients to browse and compare prices of any drug before purchasing. Cerner partnered with Change Healthcare to add Acute Case Management, ACM, tools to their EHR. This allows case managers to be equally informed of a patient’s data and ensure the right healthcare services and prices are being delivered to patients seamlessly. EHRs also help ensure that patients’ data is always correct and available when needed. Cerner owns and maintains all of its own data warehousing and storage, while other EHRs use third parties for data storage. Reliability and ease-of-use from these features help establish a sense of loyalty between patient and practitioner. 

ReMedi Provides a Physician-Focused Implementation 

Transitioning to an EHR like Cerner from more traditional record systems can be a difficult and complex process.

  •  ReMedi has physicians from all fields working to help healthcare institutions understand EHRs like Cerner from the same perspective as the physicians using the software. 
  • ReMedi works to implement EHRs in a way that does not disrupt the workflow of hospitals and clinics. 
  • Through simple but thorough steps ReMedi ensures proper implementation, efficient training, and continued support.
  •  Comprehensive training includes one-on-one, group, and continued education even after the EHR launch.
  •  ReMedi ensures physicians not only understand how Cerner works but also how to truly get the most out of the system for their specific needs.

Users will quickly see the benefits of Cerner and even be able to easily incorporate it into their established systems and procedures. Poor EHR usability or implementation can actually increase clinician burden or even cause patient harm. ReMedi Healthcare Solutions works to make sure implementation is not only successful but also a benefit to the healthcare institute. 

ReMedi and Cerner Offer Medical Innovations for the Present and the Future

Cerner Corporation’s EHR helps reduce clinician burden and offer countless benefits to patient and physician alike:

  • Automated medical billing and revenue cycle tracking
  • Simple and customized User Interfaces, order forms, modules, and more
  • Integrated data accessing, transferring, and patient portal; all stored on Cerner’s own servers
  • Cerner’s Powerchart
  • Communication channels between patient and physician, and between specialists and general care providers
  • Predictive analytics and decision support tools help to automate screening and test reminders
  • Acute Case Management tools

There are even more uses and features beyond these that ReMedi can help healthcare providers understand and implement. Cerner goes beyond just the immediate benefits of patient visits and helps establish a strong relationship between patient and practitioner. Cerner is the preferred provider of EHRs for the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs and now even Amazon Web Services has signed with them to help provide cloud based analytics services.

The need for EHR implementation constantly increases as physician burnout becomes more and more of a problem, and ReMedi and Cerner are the obvious choices for the future. 

To speak with one of our EHR consultants about your healthcare system, send us a message at info@remedihs.com.

EHR Personalization: Enable End-Users and Get the Most Out of Your IT Investment

Technological advancements in the healthcare ecosystem have enabled safer medical workflows, efficient communication, and better clinician-patient management. With the natural progression of paper records to digitization, these systems have proved to benefit clinicians, administrators, and patients. Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems are a robust version of patient’s history, diagnosis, and treatment. When implemented effectively, personalized EHR healthcare technology transforms patient care, making it easier for doctors to spend more time with patients and spend less time doing paperwork. 

In this article, we’ll discuss the integral elements of Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, training, implementation standards, and the positive impact EHRs have on healthcare when personalized and implemented effectively.

The Convergence of Technology and Healthcare: Electronic Health Records

EHR systems have proven to be a game-changer, now replacing paper records on a grand scale. Here are some of the meaningful benefits of EHR Systems:

Easy access to patient data 

Patient records, history, diagnosis, and reports from other clinicians are seamlessly shared without worrying about writing out forms, filing, and time-consuming administrative work. 

Consistency and quality management 

With records accessible in real-time, there’s less chance of human error in reporting, dramatically improving workflows for clinicians. 

Secure data 

Unlike paper records, EHR systems are built for authorized users, making them less vulnerable to being lost or stolen. The cloud is a reliable source of data storing, with backups saved to ensure it’s safety. 

Patient satisfaction 

Providers can ensure a smooth administrative process to make the patient experience less uncomfortable. By being able to access information on the go, it takes logistic hinderances away from the process.

Traditional EHR Training Methods

Healthcare institutions use traditional training methods to train their staff for using EHR Systems. These include the following:

Arranging Workshops 

In these workshops, a trainer guides the team step-by-step through a proper demonstration of the system by helping the staff become familiar with the system.

Hands-on Experience 

Although workshops are beneficial for learning, demonstrations alone do not familiarize clinicians enough to become expert users. Hands-on experience is an integral part of the process. By completing tasks repeatedly over time, clinicians better understand how to use the system. 

Team-based Training Methods 

Making teams consisting of different patient care professionals is also an essential training method, as it helps the staff understand how the system works, and how their interactions will change with the implementation of this system. 

The Gap Between EHR Technology and Healthcare

Traditional methods of implementation lack a vital step in the digital shift: the personalization of EHR systems. Supporting clinicians and showing them how to maximize their workflow is best done by… well, clinicians. 

The traditional methods of EHR implementation involve training a group of clinicians together, instead of being personalized to each clinician individually. As a result, it is highly likely that the clinician is not able to understand how EHR technology can make a positive impact on their practice, and thus may not take an interest in the training at all. 

Apart from this, some clinicians may be reluctant towards this change and may not accept it wholeheartedly. Healthcare administrators must deal with this problem head-on as it can cause significant problems, especially if the clinician is solely responsible for data management.

Bridging the Gap between Healthcare and Technology

For successful EHR implementation training, organizations should focus on using an EHR consultant with a clinician background, as well as making the training exercises more personalized. ReMedi Health Solutions designs customized training solutions that incorporate real clinical workflows, evidence-based content, associated financial performance, and keep the patient experience at the center of it all.

In conjunction with formal classroom and training sessions, ReMedi physicians engage in one-on-one meetings with healthcare clinicians and conduct training tailored to the duties they carry out in a highly professional and knowledgeable manner.

A 30,000 foot view of ReMedi’s EHR Personalization process:

  1. ReMedi leads clinicians through the development of preference lists and custom order set defaults within the new EHR system. 
  2. ReMedi hosts small team-based training sessions, where clinician team members shadow EHR super users for additional user support. 
  3. ReMedi provides post-go-live service and support, where ReMedi consultants assist clinicians with issues that they might have immediately after the implementation of a new EHR System. 

The Bottom line: EHR Personalization is Key

Working with ReMedi Health Solutions results in several core improvements for healthcare providers: improved operational efficiency, better knowledge about the EHR, and, most importantly, a greater clinician acceptance towards the system. Ultimately, our mission is to work with healthcare providers to positively impact the future of patient care.

If your organization is migrating to a new EHR system or is looking to optimize its existing EHR, get in touch with ReMedi Health Solutions. We would love to have a friendly chat to see if we can make a substantial impact on the operational and financial quality of your healthcare organization.

Email us at info@remedihs.com or send us a message.

Press Release: UTHealth Selects Houston-based ReMedi Health Solutions to Conduct Physician Personalization

Official News Release: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210623005187/en/UTHealth-Selects-Houston-based-ReMedi-Health-Solutions-to-Conduct-Physician-Personalization

Read the full story below:

UTHealth Selects Houston-based ReMedi Health Solutions to Conduct Physician Personalization

HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Houston-based IT consulting firm ReMedi Health Solutions was recently retained by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) to help spearhead the implementation of Epic Systems for its 2,000 clinicians.

As part of UTHealth’s transition to Epic, the university selected ReMedi Health Solutions to conduct Epic Personalization sessions for its clinicians, including those at UT Physicians, the clinical practice of McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, and UTHealth Harris County Psychiatric Center.

“ReMedi’s physicians were able to train UTHealth’s practitioners prior to switching to Epic,” said Babatope Fatuyi, MD, chief medical information officer at UTHealth. “The virtual model assisted our physicians in making the transition to Epic.”

ReMedi’s virtual model facilitated 2,000 Epic Personalization sessions at UTHealth to take place in just 20 days. ReMedi assisted UTHealth with scheduling and managing each appointment, offering a simple opt-in process for physicians, which resulted in over 70% adoption in the first 10 days of the project. ReMedi leveraged 20 of its EHR physician consultants to conduct peer-to-peer Epic Personalization across 18 specialties, averaging about 120 one-on-one sessions per day. ReMedi’s physicians also supported UTHealth with the implementation of Nuance’s Dragon speech-to-text software that enables physicians to dictate to Epic, in addition to Epic mobile apps Canto and Haiku. The data generated from these sessions tracked and visualized the EHR adoption and progress for UTHealth leadership.

ReMedi Health Solutions’ Chief Executive Officer, Sonny Hyare, MD, believes that the central key to success lies within physician opt-in and EHR understanding. “Physicians are the only ones that can enter the information into the systems that keep hospitals and clinics running as efficiently as possible,” Hyare said. “ReMedi is here to ensure that they know exactly how to utilize the new Epic system and that it is customized to their respective specialties.”

To shore up workflow efficiency, ReMedi built and developed an AI-powered virtual assistant to provide step-by-step workflows and access to tip sheets that help clinicians navigate the new EHR system. ReMedi plans to bring unparalleled value to UTHealth with its physician-driven approach, ensuring that the end-user experience is prioritized throughout the entire implementation process.

About UTHealth:
Established in 1972 by The University of Texas System Board of Regents, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) is Houston’s health university and Texas’ resource for health care education, innovation, scientific discovery and excellence in patient care. The most comprehensive academic health center in the UT System and the U.S. Gulf Coast region, UTHealth is home to Jane and Robert Cizik School of Nursing, John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Medical School, and schools of biomedical informatics, biomedical sciences, dentistry, and public health. UTHealth includes the UTHealth Harris County Psychiatric Center and clinical practices UT Physicians, UT Dentists, and UT Health Services.

About ReMedi:
ReMedi Health Solutions is a national healthcare IT management and consulting firm that specializes in end-to-end, physician-centric EHR implementation and training, including system selection advisory, system optimization, integration and testing, go-live support, and data migration. We’re a clinically-driven company and committed to improving the future of healthcare. Our mission is to provide comprehensive healthcare solutions that support enhanced patient care, efficient clinical workflows, and improved financial and operational performance for healthcare systems.

Business Unusual Podcast with Barbara Corcoran

ReMedi Health Solutions’ Sonny Hyare, MD was featured on the Business Unusual Podcast with Barbara Corocoran to share insights about how ReMedi pivoted in response to the COVID-19 healthcare crisis. In this candid discussion, Sonny shares deep insights about how he successfully virtualized the operations of ReMedi in order to support its healthcare partners with EHR implementation amid the pandemic.

Sonny is also joined by Stacey Marx, President of National Business & Channels at AT&T Business. They talk about how AT&T Business helped ReMedi implement a fast and secure 5G Fiber Internet connection, and why fast innovation is key. They also chat about the importance of digital transformation in healthcare, and the key technology you must have to push your business ahead today.

Listen to the podcast on Spotify:

Listen on Apple Podcasts

We hope you enjoy the insightful discussion. Reach out to info@remedihs.com with any questions.

Download the Virtual EHR Go-Live Whitepaper

COVID-19 Updates and Resources

In the midst of the COVID-19 national emergency, the ReMedi team hopes our clients, partners, and families are doing well. 

We’ve compiled a list of resources and updates regarding the COVID-19 national emergency. Please check the World Health Organization first for the most important and up-to-date news about the Coronavirus.

Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth

Telemedicine will play an integral role in dealing with the Coronavirus outbreak.

In an effort to help protect at-risk individuals, the U.S. Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has issued a notice for discretion of telehealth and telemedicine remote communications during the COVID-19 national emergency. The OCR will exercise its enforcement discretion and will not impose penalties for noncompliance with the regulatory requirements under the HIPAA Rules against covered healthcare providers in connection with the good faith provision of telehealth during the nationwide public health emergency.  The notice is effective immediately. 

Using discretion, doctors can use 1-1 communication tools to serve its patients during the emergency that may not have previously been HIPAA compliant. I.e. Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger, Zoom Video Conferencing, Skype, Google.

View the complete update here: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/emergency-preparedness/notification-enforcement-discretion-telehealth/index.html

Medicare Telemedicine Healthcare Provider Fact Sheet

This resource provides guidance on Medicare coverage and payment of virtual services. Includes: expansion of telehealth, types of virtual services, virtual check-ins, e-visits and HIPAA compliance.

View the fact sheet here: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicare-telemedicine-health-care-provider-fact-sheet

A summary of medicare telemedicine services
A summary of Medicare telemedicine services.

LOINC Prerelease Terms

Special Use medical codes are developed in response to an urgent or emergent situation. These codes are based on the most up to date information available at the time of their creation. They have undergone the normal QA terminology process. LOINC supports their use in the unique situation that resulted in their rapid creation. However, be aware that downstream users may not be ready to handle prerelease codes until they are published in an official release.

View the LOINC prerelease term updates here: https://loinc.org/prerelease/

Check back for updates and resources as we learn more. To contact our team, email info@remedihs.com.