Cintas’ best practices for adopting an EMR system include:
• Take inventory of all medical records. Taking inventory of all a healthcare organization’s files enables the organization to make informed decisions based on financial and clinical needs.
• Set retention schedules. After completing inventory, each department should review and set retention schedules for every type of medical record based on clinical and government regulations in order to remain compliant and expedite the destruction of out-dated medical records.
• Select the right document management vendor. The right document management provider should have a system with the ability to quickly and accurately retrieve records. It should also offer imaging, storage and shredding services to support optimal patient care.
• Don’t wait to begin imaging. If partnering with the right providers, organizations can have a heart start in imaging medical records 12-16 months prior to going live.
• Evaluate other areas of your organization. Medical records are not the only type of record that can benefit from imaging, as other paper intensive department such as accounts payable can also benefit from an imaging solution.
Read the Market Watch news report about Cintas’ best practices for EMR adoption.
Read other coverage about adoption of electronic medical records:
– 4 Key Considerations for Paper-Based Hospitals Looking to Go Electronic
– ONC Posts FAQs to Answer Healthcare Providers’ Most Asked Questions About Meaningful Use
