270 likes | 282 Views
This session provides information and guidance for those in the early stages of planning an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. Topics covered include technical considerations, vendor demos and evaluations, cost considerations, and more.
E N D
MENTAL HEALTH & DADS CONTRACTOR EHR PLANNING MEETING May 25, 2011
EHR Planning Session #1 Early Planning
EHR Planning Session #1 • Information for those that are in the early stages of planning. • This session will cover • Where do you begin? • Technical Considerations • Vendor Demo and Evaluations • Vendor Comparison • Costs
Where Do You Begin?
Where do you begin? • What’s Needed to Get Started? • Start talking about the EHR as a positive change • Prepare staff for changes • Pull Your Team Together • Pick a driver (Agree on the driver) • Include varying disciplines • Set up ongoing meetings • Create realistic timelines
Readiness Assessment • Go through the assessment as a team • Take note where the team does not agree • Recognize areas of need and follow up • Refer back regularly • Track change
Workflow and Needs • Track how a client moves through the system • Receiving Referral • Treatment • Billing/Payment • Discharge • You want to recognize where the system fails and succeeds • This will help you identify where an EHR may provide improved efficiency, accuracy and better client care You want a tool that works for you. You don’t want to work for the tool
Internal Capabilities • What shape is your IT Department in? • Do you have an IT Department? • Who will own the EHR system internally? • Program or Support? • Do you currently have some sort of an EHR system? • What is the reputation of the existing system?
Technology Assessment • Do you feel the need for speed? • Cable, T1, Ethernet ready? • Who is in charge? • Do you have someone identified to be primary interface? • Spread the love • Test and Validate with several sets of eyes
Technology Assessment • Does Staff know what a computer is? • Training capabilities • Does Staff have the time? • Redesign workflow • Implement the system • Validate results • Repeat
Budget Considerations • Comprehensive Cost Estimate • Cost of System or Licensing Fees • 3rd Party Products and Services • Annual Support • Implementation Services Cost • Hardware • Internal Staff • Project Manager • Systems Analyst • Database Administrator / Trainer
Budget Considerations • Comprehensive Cost Estimate (continued) • External Consultants • Lost Productivity • Before, During and After Initial Implementation • Custom Programming Fees • Scalability • Adding users in the future • Security
Buy v. Rent • Buy • Internally Hosted on Your Server • Higher Upfront Costs • Nominal Recurring Costs • Rent • ASP (Application Service Provider) • SaS (Software as a Service) • Remotely Hosted via Internet • Low Upfront Costs • Continuous Recurring Costs
Buy v. Rent • Buy • Not Internet Reliant • Quicker Response / Access Time • Capital Expenditure v. Operating Costs • Data control • Rent • Access from any place with Internet access • Nominal worries about backups, updates, etc. • Upgrades usually built into monthly charge • Less maintenance / IT dependant
Costs & Vendor Negotiations
Vendor Comparison • Begin process immediately: • Map existing processes • Outline changes to improve workflow • Identify problem areas – include staffing • Do above in parallel while evaluating vendors – don’t wait! • Utilize a collaborative process • Include clinical and business management and staff • Don’t under change Business needs • Most systems support clinic needs well and “tack on” the business end • Most systems written for counties – how do they insurance claiming, handle private pay, group billing, etc.?
Pay-As-You-Go (ASP) Arrangement • Pay set annual amount based on system total cost • Includes all license fees, installation, and ongoing maintenance costs • For the equivalent system detailed above, the annual total is $110K, • Therefore, over 6 years, the total cost is roughly the same – ignoring the time cost of money • The annual obligation continues indefinitely
Vendor Negotiations • Approach as entering into a long-term partnership – not vendor/customer • One-sided deals don’t work • Decide early on what elements are most important to the vendor, and which you can push them for concessions • Always have the unseen party who makes decisions for your agency • Make it clear that you will be an active participant in vendors user group
Contract Negotiation Considerations • Ensure that Vendor warranty covers all product, including third party components • Any Customizations are covered by same warranty, and do not add to maintenance charge after completion • Negotiate a 2-3 year price freeze for other products not purchased • Include the right to interview the vendor’s proposed project manager & eliminate travel-time charge • Negotiate the delay of onset of maintenance portion after “go-live” • Completely define levels of help-desk, and priority response times – any hours available • Include a provision requiring support of prior release(s) of product
Contract Negotiation Considerations • No charge for subsequent updates and improvements, including enhancements developed in response to user-groups • Yearly, vendor will provide a list of all known product problems, bugs, etc. • Set a limit for any increases to the annual maintenance contract cost • Set the hourly installation and consultation cost for a period to avoid cost increases • Require that all software source code be placed in an escrow account to mitigate problems from any business failure of vendor • Include the right to use software in the event of bankruptcy of vendor
Contract Negotiation Considerations • Ensure Compliance with Federal, State and Local Requirements: • Licensed Programs will comply with the provisions set forth in the California State Department of Mental Health Letter No. 08-10 as it pertains to electronic signatures. Vendor further warrants that the Licensed Products meet the current and will continue to meet the future compliance standards set by the State of California and/or the applicable County and Federal regulatory requirements for electronic signature and electronic health record, such that Licensee will be in compliance with MediCal/Medicare recordkeeping and billing requirements.
After The Contract Is Signed • Interview vendor’s proposed project team • Set quick deadline for vendor’s timeline/project management plan presentation • Deliver any specifications for customization • Appoint a project manager who has responsibility and authority to get the implementation done • Appoint a cross-agency group to get the job done • Set sub-workgroups up from clinical, intake, business office areas – meet frequently • Be honest with yourselves