What happens to my Data when the Power Goes Out?
After the great power outages of 2006 in St. Louis, a lot of offices were left in the dark and without power for days at a time.  When you are planning an EHR implementation, the issue of power is even more critical.  Any time you have power issues (i.e. black outs, brown outs and voltage spikes) you risk the loss of data.  As we all know that can be worrisome, costly and frustrating, but there are measures that can be taken to minimize the risk of data loss, and equipment damage associated with power issues.

One piece of equipment that should be installed throughout every network is an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS).  A UPS is critical even if your office is fortunate enough to have an Emergency Backup Generator on site.  The backup generator is great for long power outages but there is a lag time where the generator is ramping up to speed and the automatic transfer switch is moving power from the power company to the generator.  This lag time is usually to long for the data equipment to handle gracefully.  That is where a UPS is critical for protecting your data; it will switch to running on the battery while the change is being made.

If you do not have an emergency backup generator, you must rely strictly on your UPS to keep your equipment online while you determine the options of waiting out a brief power outage on battery or, power down your systems.  Most UPS systems are sized to give about 30 minutes of runtime before exhausting the batteries and powering off.  Quality server grade UPS systems will have the ability to gracefully power down a server (via a serial or USB cable connecting the two) and the software provided by the UPS manufacturer.

For Small Businesses, there are generally two types of UPS in use.  The two types are known as “Backup” and “Online”.  The backup type runs the equipment using AC power until degradation in power is detected and automatically switches to battery as needed.  The time delay in this switch is usually fine for a desktop or laptop, but not optimal for a server.  For servers the online type is more desirable by design.  The online UPS uses a technique of continuously running the equipment from the battery (through a DC to AC power inverter) and a charger that keeps the battery charged at all times.  This configuration eliminates the delay caused from switching power sources and provides seamless power.  The online UPS is a more expensive and consumes more power (due to constantly running the battery charger) than the backup type but provides the power protection required by today’s servers and network equipment.

One other benefit of a UPS is the ability to provide surge protection.  This eliminates the need for a separate piece of equipment and will offer protection against power spikes and degradation of power.

 If all of this seems to be a bit technical, it is, that is why it is important to talk to your technology provider to properly specify and size your UPS system.

Does your EMR help make you money?

With the increased popularity of Electronic Medical Records (EMR), physician practices are looking for efficiencies in paperwork, reduction in transcription cost, increased patient volumes, and ease of refilling medications. All of which are Crucial in the daily work flow and cost containment, but will it help your practice make money? Are you actually getting paid for the work that you do?

Recent research has suggested that over 40% of  the E&M visits will be under-coded by physicians (Under-coding means that the level visit coded is less than the actual level of work performed and documented). Typically physicians will under-code to avoid being audited, leaving thousands of dollars on the table. This does a disservice to the provider, and only benefits the insurance companies. Your EMR solution can be the answer to your problems. Most of the top EMR vendors will offer an E/M coding solution that is already built into the patient visit, thus after the documentation is completed the software will suggest a code based on the information present in the visit. It should be noted that in all cases there is some subjective data that will be entered in by the physician, but the completed note will reflect the subjective data as part of the permanent record.

 As the administrator of a 25 provider multi-specialty group that recently implemented an EMR system, we were able to study the effect on coding related to the EMR implementation over a 2 year period of time. The results were as follows:

• Coding compliance increased from 72% to 94% collectively.
• Revenue increased 12% overall from the traditional paper system.
• With the increase in revenue on average physicians saw 8% less patients during the 1^st year of implementation.

 While the results can be varied based on your individual group, your EMR system should be a tool to help you get paid for all of the work that you do. As you work with your vendor it will be important that your template is set up with the assistance of a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) in order to accurately credit provider’s for the work performed. If done properly, your EMR should help eliminate leaving money on the table for the insurance companies benefit.

 Should you need further information on services related to your EMR selection or coding services please contact Jeff Ozmon at LarsonAllen (314) 336-3732 or jozmon@larsonallen.com

Top 10 Myths of EHRs Panel Discussion
Thursday, February 15th
11:30am-1:30pm
Missouri Athletic Club
West 1777 Des Peres Rd.
Des Peres, MO 63131 (HWY 270 and Manchester)
Please RSVP by February 7th

Do you have questions regarding Electronic Health Records?

Due to the great success of our first event, you are invited to attend a panel discussion to ask whatever questions you have! Please join us for our next interactive session with a panel of experts that will shed light on the “Top 10 Myths of EHRs”. Thursday, February 15th – 11:30am to 1:30pm Please RSVP by February 7 th Top 10 Myths of EHR Missouri Athletic Club - West 1777 Des Peres Rd. Des Peres, MO 63131 (HWY 270 and Manchester)

• I can convert all of my charts on my own in our spare time.
• I will have to eliminate some of my staff.
• I will have to buy all new hardware.
• It will “slow me down.”
• It will take me a very long time to realize a significant ROI.
• If the power goes out, I will lose my data.
• I can't afford this system.
• EMR will make my visit impersonal.
• I have to purchase everything at once.
• I won't be able to access my charts outside the office.
  
  Please join us for lunch on February 15 th. Bring your questions (we have the answers)!
  
  The EHR panel will include:
  
  Kim Manoogian – The Business Bank of St. Louis Kim has previously owned and operated her own business and understands the issues facing today's business owners.  Coupling her experience as a business owner with her understanding of banking gives her a unique perspective of the banker-client relationship.  Kim specializes in the unique needs of the medical community, and is very active in medical forums throughout the St. Louis area.
  
  Jeff Ozmon – Larson Allen Jeff has over 10 years experience as a medical practice administrator. Prior to joining LarsonAllen, he spent the last 6 years as the practice administrator for an $8 million multi-specialty medical group in Kentucky. In this position, he negotiated and implemented a fully integrated electronic medical records.
  
  KC Frank - DISC KC has several years experience supporting clients who become paperless.  KC’s knowledge in EHR software, paper chart conversions, and scanners has assisted many healthcare facilities, small to large, in making the transition to a paperless organization. He will share his expertise on the most common questions that arise before, during and after installations, and will share which solutions have been the most beneficial to patients, physicians, office managers and staff.
  
  Nick LaRosa – Subnet Support Services Nick has 8+ years of experience supporting networks & computers in doctor's offices & medical environments.  Nick specializes in systems requirements, HIPPA compliance and working with interfaces to new and existing systems. SubNet Support provides local, ongoing services to medical offices in the St. Louis and St. Charles area. He will share his expertise in planning for EHR, equipment needed and the security to maintain your records.            
  
  Ann Grana 314-541-2220 Ann@disccorp.net
  Kim Manoogian 314-333-6338 kmanoogian@bbstl.com
  Jeff Ozmon 314-336-3732 jozmon@larsonallen.com
  KC Frank 314-436-2800 kc@disccorp.net
  
  Nick LaRosa 314-960-5293 nick@subnetsupport.com