Streamlining Workflow with Multi-Specialty EMR Software

Multi-specialty group practices are comprised of healthcare providers from a variety of backgrounds and expertise. Following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, more primary care offices are integrating with mental health centers to offer a more holistic treatment approach.

While multi-specialty practices like this are known to improve patient satisfaction and enhance interprofessional collaboration, they also make choosing an appropriate electronic medical record system (EMR) difficult.

Generally, it’s advisable for group practices to choose one multi-specialty EMR as opposed to several single-specialty EMRs. Multi-specialty electronic medical records software is designed to address common issues faced by practices whose medical staff fall under different specialties. The systems are designed to streamline workflow by:

• Decreasing data entry errors;
• Reducing administrative tasks;
• Improving patient medical record security;
• Offering better patient care;
• Retrieving patient records swiftly; and
• Creating simple but thorough backups of data.

Key features to look for when choosing a multi-specialty system

Multi-specialty EMRs are effective only if they include certain software features. When selecting this type of EMR, healthcare providers should look for customizability and integration with a multi-specialty patient portal in addition to the standard EMR features (like medical record security, appointment scheduling, and excellent technical support services).

EMRs designed for multi-specialty practices should be highly flexible, and able to address the unique needs of multiple providers. Data should be easily accessible by all authorized users and automatically pulled from relevant sources and pre-populated where appropriate.

Look for a system with pre-installed billing codes, templates, letters, and patient forms geared toward the specialties that you need. Another great feature would be multi-specialty care plans that automatically generate patient education handouts based on different clinical diagnoses or conditions.

Integration with a multi-specialty patient portal enables patients to access their treatment plan and take a more active role in their healthcare. Typically, these patient portals allow patients to view their visit summaries or lab results as well as request medication refills. Research has demonstrated that these portals increase both patient satisfaction and loyalty to a particular practice.

Selecting an effective  multi-specialty EMR with the best features allows healthcare providers to streamline their workflow and spend more time with their patients. For more information about choosing the best multi-specialty EMR, contact us online or call us at (480) 782-1116.