Too often, we come across physicians who are using an EMR that is generalized, without modules to suit the needs of their specialty. Practices are forced to keep part of their workflow on paper, because there simply is no way to make it all fit.
For this reason, IMS has always been configured per specialty. Over the years, IMS has evolved to include specialty-specific functionality like no other system. We have created this series to give providers some tips on what to look for when choosing an EMR for their specialty.

IMS Pediatrics® has been designed to focus on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for all children. IMS helps pediatricians give youths the opportunity to achieve and maintain optimum health potential as adults through modules for immunization management, vaccination information, and growth charts. IMS Pediatrics® helps streamline the flow of regular check-up appointments, allowing the physician to create custom templates for preventive medicine and follow best healthcare practices.

IMS Pediatrics® Modules:
Feature Rich Visit Note complete with:
Symptom and Condition Based Templates
Child Psychology
Newborn Complaints, Birth injuries
APGAR Score, BALLARD Score
Neonate Examination
2 month to 10 Years Examination
Well Child Exams
Specific Features:
Vaccination Information Sheets (VIS)
Growth Charts

Dosing Calculator for Recommendations

           Immunization Management & Tracking*

* If connection is remitted and established in your state.

Now that Stage 2 Meaningful Use has been pushed back to 2014, both paper practices and basic EMR practices have more time to get themselves prepared.

The main things to consider when searching for an EMR are features, training, and cost.

First we’ll talk features. Comparing our most widely known and used products, get a feeling for what a truly powerful system can offer.

Electronic Medical Records and Treatment: IMS Clinical®
Featuring a patient chart that mimics the common file folder, IMS Clinical® is an intuitive and easy to use program with modules for treatment plans, a comprehensive SOAP note, ERx, labs, image annotation and much more. IMS Clinical® includes IMS Link®, an advanced interoperability coding that allows IMS to interface with all HIPAA compliant systems and devices, such as EKG and Spirometers.

Practice Management and Billing: IMS Manager®
Featuring a scheduler that mimics the common Windows Outlook, IMS Manager® provides quick and complete task completion for front office staff with modules for scheduling appointments, authorization tracking, revenue cycle management, reports, dashboards, alerts & reminders among others. IMS Manager® includes IMS Hylafax® an in-built electronic faxing manager that helps practices reduce 80% of their incoming and outgoing paper flow.

Next up, we’ll discuss training and implementation by describing how it is solved at Meditab.

“Train the Trainer Approach”
This training method allows the practice to select their most technologically savvy staff member to become an “IMS Super User”. The super user works closely with the implementation specialist to learn the ins and outs of the system, while the rest of the staff work on more general usage that relates to their roles. This approach allows the practice to gain the most efficient and long lasting training by reducing the stress on other team members and making it a group effort.

And finally… “What’s it going to cost?”

Meditab IMS is one of the most affordable systems that offers 24/6 live support, continuous product updates, and in-built functionality for over 34 specialties. When comparing apples-to-apples, no one beats Meditab IMS on price.

The system model (cloud based or client-server) will be the biggest determining factor for the first year and implementation cost. However, the internet based AKA “cloud-based” model is the least expensive initially, while owning the database server AKA “client-server” requires a greater expense at first, yet offers more significant savings later.

The EMR selection process is so detailed that there can be entire encyclopedias written on EMR selection. However we have consolidated our long list of items to consider before going EMR to the Top 5.

The Meditab South Team is very excited for our first open house! After months of preparation, Meditab’s newest office is complete and prepared for business with a strong team and a beautiful and central location.
This Launch Event is a true celebration for Meditab and its partners, as our company, with this new additional office, officially reaches from coast to coast. The exclusive open house will be held Thursday, Jan. 12th @ 6:30pm and promises an evening of networking and entertainment for over 50 South Florida physicians and their colleagues.
There will also be a raffle for two Dell Tablet PCs, in efforts to help two lucky practices in the South Florida medical community.

December is National Safe Toys and Gifts Month, a project led by Prevent Blindness America. The group hopes to educate parents and other gift shoppers through awareness efforts all throughout the month. The rate at which children are being checked into ERs due to choking, eye injuries, or even poisoning is astonishing. Hundreds of thousands of children have undergone unnecessary injuries due to poorly made items and misuse of toys.

This holiday season, Meditab hopes to spread the word on the many easy ways parents can keep their children safe. Simple tips such as looking for the appropriate warning labels can help save children’s lives. Toys are meant to be used as a developmental tool as well as a recreational activity for children, not to cause harm. Children should be carefully instructed on the proper use for a toy and they should be supervised at all times.

Labels are the best way to decide whether a toy or other item is right for a child. Most new toys have appropriate age labels and these should be abide by. Fabric items should be non-flammable and/or flame resistant, stuffed items should be machine washable, and art supplies must read non-toxic. Crayons and paints should say ASTM D-4236 on the package, which means that they”ve been evaluated by the American Society for Testing and Materials. Also, outdoor recreational items such as skateboards or baseballs should be accompanied by the appropriate safety gear (such as helmets and gloves).

When buying toys or other items for children keep these simple tips in mind. Happy Holidays from Meditab Software Inc.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that providers who attest to Meaningful Use within 2011 will not have to begin Stage 2 until 2014. This places a delay on the initial start date for Stage 2 from 2013 to 2014. Attesting to Meaningful Use within 2011 will give providers more time to prepare for Stage 2, as well as the opportunity to collect incentive payments for 2011, since there is still time to qualify.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius stated, “Doctors who act quickly can also qualify for incentive payments
in 2011 as well as 2012.”

Meditab is here to help providers qualify for all the incentives associated with purchasing an EMR before the end of the year. Meditab’s IMS is a CCHIT Meaningful Use certified, ANSI 5010 and ICD-10 ready, fully integrated EMR/EHR and practice management solution. Meditab’s focus is to maintain peace of mind amongst its users, ensuring full compliance of all government regulations, increased returns and higher quality of care.

Special Incentives for “Pioneers” (those who purchased EMR/EHR within 2011)

Previously, providers who attested Stage 1 during 2011 were required to begin Stage 2 in 2013, while providers who attested Stage 1 in 2012 were not required to begin Stage 2 until 2014. This rule unintentionally penalized providers who attested early and were among the pioneers, those who were an essential tool in helping vendors work out the kinks with their products, enabling them to meet the needs of practices as well as government regulations.

HHS stated, “We encourage any providers who have been waiting until 2012 to attest to Stage 1 meaningful use now. Under the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, providers who attest early receive greater incentives. And now those providers who first attest in 2011 can get three payment years for meeting the Stage 1 expectations, while those first attesting in 2012 can only get two payment years under Stage 1 criteria.”

The official regulation will be published in February 2012 in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).

It’s no secret that these past few years have been tough on the healthcare industry. As technology and healthcare continues to evolve, providers continue their search for assistance in staying on top of the ongoing changes. The past two years were easier to embrace for some more than others. Those physicians who have implemented electronic medical software at an early stage have served as pioneers and are possibly the the least affected, compared to those doctors who have been slow to move away from paper and manual labor, by the implemented government regulations.

As we slowly migrate into an integrated electronic healthcare system and as the regulating bodies become stricter, physicians will only find peace of mind by the steps taken today in moving forward with choosing the ideal EMR/EHR for their practice. It may seem like a dark path ahead, but a bright future is promised!

Already positive news is striking the industry with conversion rates doubling from 2008 to 2011. With this increase in conversions and assistance of the “pioneers”, referring to those who implemented an EMR/EHR prior to 2011, physicians as well as regulating bodies will have less challenges with attesting Stage 2 of Meaningful Use than that of Stage 1 of attestation.

According to InformationWeek, many hospitals that have already attested to Stage 1 found that none of their patients had requested electronic copies of their discharge instructions at the time of discharge. However, providing such electronic copies to 50% of patients who request the discharge instructions is among the core measures for Stage 1 compliance.

With ANSI 5010 conversion just around the corner, Meditab offers peace of mind for their clients allowing them to continue to Practice On with minimum to no challenges. We, at Meditab take pride in being pioneers in the industry, always staying abreast of industry changes and innovations. With that said, Meditab has implemented the most significant changes (ANSI 5010 and ICD-10) almost half a year in advance.

With the continuous increase in conversion and attestation rates, regulating bodies will become more knowledgeable about what is important for physicians and the industry as a whole, only then will the natural flow of progression will resume!

Source: http://www.informationweek.com/news/healthcare/policy/231901414