Sometimes we hear that eyecare practices quickly grow frustrated with newly implemented EHR software because it's too difficult to learn and the time it takes for your practice to adjust ends up being a hassle or money pit. These are frustrations that many eyecare practices have with a majority of different software systems.
Implementing new software that affects your entire practice is a big change that comes with a learning curve that will take a bit of time to pay off, especially for practices coming from paper charts. Once you get over the hump, you'll see benefits in every area of your practice with the right system.
Today, we want to talk about a few different ways to help your practice get through the learning curve so you're able to start enjoying the benefits of a new system.
Looking Past The EHR Software Learning Curve
Show Patients How the New System Benefits Them
One way to start seeing fast results is by sharing the new system with your patients. A big benefit to EHR software is that it helps modernize your practice and provide better overall health care for your patients. Share with them the value of their patient portal and how they now have immediate and mobile access to most of their health information.
They can log in through their portal and view prescriptions, treatment instructions, medical history, and educational material to help them be more in charge of their own health. All of this contributes to improved health outcomes and more satisfied patients. The sooner you can see results with your patients, the quicker you will see the pay off.
Take Advantage of the Quality of Your Patient Records
With electronic patient records you'll have easy access to search through information and quickly gather reports to help assess the success of your business. This saves you time from the administrative tasks of filing and pulling charts for more efficient data collection. While it could take a little more time when it comes to getting used to charting electronically, the information and quality of your patient information will be much more comprehensive than with paper records. Sharing information between healthcare providers becomes much easier, and with a cloud-based system you have access to your system even from outside the office.
Plan Ahead
The first few days, and even weeks after your implementation will be an adjustment for your team. Getting used to changes in your routine and learning the ins and outs of a system takes time. Plan ahead and make sure you're scheduling a patient load that is reasonable for your team to handle during the transition. Avoiding staff frustrations will help keep morale of the team up and foster a positive environment for adjusting to the new system.
Managing patient care becomes easier with the efficiencies and tools that come with the right EHR software. Be prepared for the learning curve of adjusting to new practices, especially if you're coming from paper. Keep in mind that with the right system, preparation, and attitude your practice has a lot to gain from a software solution. If you're about to go through software implementation, download our Mini Guide below to help you get started!
