Misys Healthcare Advocates Change in EMR and Practice Management Solutions for Small Physician Practices
Misys Healthcare Systems, a market leader in healthcare IT and provider of EMR and practice management solutions, is extending its strong advocacy for widespread adoption of electronic medical records (EMR) throughout the industry. Based on insights gained from a user community of 100,000 healthcare practitioners, Misys Healthcare understands the IT requirements of medical practices and is working to remove the barriers to EMR adoption by smaller practice groups.
Currently fewer than one out of five smaller practices use an EMR system. This is a low adoption rate given the well-documented benefits of EMR systems that include:
greater access to patient charts when needed;
reduced transcription costs;
fewer adverse drug events;
time savings, resulting in cost savings and more time available for direct patient care;
and, the reduction of unnecessary or incorrect tests and procedures.
A 2006 Harris Interactive survey showed that more than 71 percent of U.S. adults have not heard of EMRs. However, when told about the associated benefits of EMRs, a significant majority of those polled said they wanted those advantages provided through healthcare providers.
The benefits for patients, physicians and the overall healthcare system are so compelling that in 2004 the federal government set the goal of ubiquitous electronic health records by 2014. So far, this goal remains elusive, largely because small medical practices — which account for 80 percent of all patient visits — lag behind in adopting EMR systems. While more than half of hospitals and larger practices make heavy use of EMR information technology, less than 20 percent of smaller practices are now using these solutions.
Removing Barriers of Cost and Complexity
“From working closely with one of the largest populations of physicians in the world, we have a solid understanding of what restricts EMR adoption in smaller practices,” said Vern Davenport, executive vice president and general manager of Misys Healthcare Systems. “It is cost, usability and interoperability. Smaller medical practices cannot pay large initial costs for an EMR system, and they cannot take on the continuing overhead costs of managing IT systems. Also, small medical practices have developed work methods they want to continue, so they have no interest in an EMR system that forces them to change the way they work. These practices need a cost-effective EMR system with low initial costs that is simple, reliable, and enables them to share information easily with the rest of the healthcare community. Misys Healthcare is moving aggressively to address that market need and accelerate EMR adoption in these settings.”
Misys Healthcare has made a number of strategic changes recently to support that effort, including an announced focus on the ambulatory and connected community healthcare segments, and a commitment to bring a hosted service offering to market.
To that end, the technology-licensing agreement announced in late August between Misys Healthcare and iMedica is an example of the new Misys strategy and product direction. At that time, Misys indicated it would use iMedica’s technology as the foundation for a market-changing family of Misys solutions optimized for small-sized practices, including a hosted EMR offering.
Physicians Say “I want EMR my way”
“Usability ranks with cost as a roadblock to EMR adoption among small practices,” said Davenport. “Often we hear that template-based product designs limit flexibility and restrict the normal workflow associated with patient interaction and clinical charting, especially among primary care physicians. Physicians tell us ‘I want an EMR that works the way I want to work — not the vendor’s way.’ Healthcare providers don’t want to be IT managers and network administrators; they want to practice medicine. The market needs an EMR solution that resolves the cost, usability, and technology issues, and we will provide such a solution very soon.”
At the start of the new Misys Healthcare and iMedica relationship, Misys officials indicated initial products resulting from the technology agreement would be announced by November of this year.
About Misys Healthcare Systems, LLC
Misys Healthcare — part of the global applications software and services company, Misys plc (FTSE: MSY.L) — delivers integrated, comprehensive solutions that improve results for healthcare practitioners. Drawing on our decades of healthcare experience, our relationships with more than 100,000 healthcare professionals, and our commitment to customer success, we deliver innovative software and services that enable physicians, caregivers, and a connected healthcare community. Misys Healthcare: Experience, Solutions, Results. Contact us today; visit www.misyshealthcare.com