Electronic Health Records For Dummies [Paperback]

Trenor Williams (Author), Anita Samarth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 21, 2010 | ISBN-10: 0470623659 | ISBN-13: 978-0470623657 | Edition: 1

The straight scoop on choosing and implementing an electronic health records (EHR) system

Doctors, nurses, and hospital and clinic administrators are interested in learning the best ways to implement and use an electronic health records system so that they can be shared across different health care settings via a network-connected information system. This helpful, plain-English guide provides need-to-know information on how to choose the right system, assure patients of the security of their records, and implement an EHR in such a way that it causes minimal disruption to the daily demands of a hospital or clinic.

• Offers a plain-English guide to the many electronic health records (EHR) systems from which to choose
• Authors are a duo of EHR experts who provide clear, easy-to-understand information on how to choose the right EHR system an implement it effectively
• Addresses the benefits of implementing an EHR system so that critical information (such as medication, allergies, medical history, lab results, radiology images, etc.) can be shared across different health care settings
• Discusses ways to talk to patients about the security of their electronic health records

Electronic Health Records For Dummies walks you through all the necessary steps to successfully choose the right EHR system, keep it current, and use it effectively.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

You're ready to get serious about an EHR system. Let this book be your guide!

Electronic health records (EHR) are rapidly becoming a must in the healthcare industry, but choosing and implementing an EHR system can be daunting. This book helps you determine what you should expect from an EHR system, how to analyze potential vendors, how best to train your staff, and much more. Whatever your healthcare setting or needs, For Dummies will help you make the move to EHR.

• Get a handle on your EHR — understand what it is, how it will affect your staff and patients, and the impact of health information legislation on EHRs

• Explore the nuts and bolts — examine your needs, assess your office infrastructure, research vendors, and calculate costs and benefits

• What makes a good partnership — decide what you need, outline it to potential vendors, learn what to get in writing, and develop a successful contract

• Fit your EHR into your practice — see where your office workflow needs adjustment and how best to use an EHR to shift your stakeholders into new and improved processes

• Make the most of it — explore how EHR can make your office run more smoothly, improve patient communication, and help manage chronic conditions

• Ongoing maintenance — learn to support, monitor, and upgrade your system

Open the book and find:

• Reasons to implement EHR

• Standards that affect EHR and where to learn about them

• How to evaluate whether your practice is ready

• Different characteristics of the available vendors

• How an EHR system will affect your practice

• How to communicate EHR benefits to patients

• Important privacy and security tips

• Ten questions to ask your EHR vendor

Learn to:

• Choose and implement an EHR system

• Improve your practice's efficiency and record-keeping with EHR

• Transition to electronic records with minimal disruption

• Understand EHR standards, integration, and benefits

About the Author

Trenor Williams, M.D., and Anita Samarth are cofounders and principals of Clinovations, an advisory consulting firm offering services that support electronic health record strategy and implementation for clinics, hospitals, and the federal government. They share more than 35 years of experience in healthcare, technology, and consulting.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Wiley Publishing; 1 edition (December 21, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470623659
• ISBN-13: 978-0470623657
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,133 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #81 in Books > Medical Books > Administration & Medicine Economics > Medical History & Records

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding concise guide to the world of EHRs, December 20, 2010

By 

Heidi - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Electronic Health Records For Dummies (Paperback)

This is a must read guide for those in the process of buying an EHR or anyone interested in learning more about electronic health records. It covers health information technology basics, how to select a vendor partner, ways to detemine the cost,benefits and return on your EHR investment, advice on how to successfully implement an EHR, and clearly outlines the facts about "meaningful use." There is also an appendix listing the names and web sites of the 62 national Regional Extension Centers, and a section on Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments. This book is an excellent reference for anyone in the health informatics field.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential, timely, tactical guide to EHRs, January 6, 2011

By 

Danny Noonan "The Swiftness" (Cambridge, MA United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Electronic Health Records For Dummies (Paperback)

Excellent overview of EHRs. The authors have done a great job addressing how EHRs can used to improve the quality of care, financial performance and operational efficiencies of a healthcare organization. Tactical and easy to read. Leads the reader through an industry overview, vendor selection, contracting, implementation and optimization. Worth reading even for industry vets.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb overview; Brings clarity and filters facts from hype., May 23, 2011

By 

Atul V (San Francisco Bay Area, CA , USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Electronic Health Records For Dummies (Paperback)

United States has just recently woken up to the potential of EMR/EHR and is trying to engage all stakeholders - physicians, patients, insurance companies, hospitals - in a climate filled with vicious politics, uncontrolled greed and general FUD (fear, uncertainity and doubt). This book goes a long way to identify the gives and gets.

In a fast moving field, where new acronyms are born everyday, it is a challenge to bring out a book and indeed, I would urge the authors to start on the next, revised/updated edition already. Still, this book holds its own and covers tha gamut from EMR/EHR to the ACO's (Accoutable Care Organizations). It is written primarily, I think, for physicians in small/independednt pracitce and has still sufficient useful content with other audiences. There are minor quibbles - to me, EMR and EHR are not the smae thing, for instance. Another more serious topic is about the legal aspects of the EHR and associated liabilitues; but that would be outside the scope/spirit of the Dummies books and as such best left to legal experts.

In my work with hospitals and RHIO's/HIE's, I plan to obtain several copies of this book and give them to the participants as this book will answer many questions for them and save me valuable time many times the cost of the book.