SELECTING AN EMR OR HIT CONSULTING SERVICE

hit consulting
An ambulatory medical practice is a unique environment for information and technology. Several factors inherent in the health care community call for a specific level of competency in order to accurately install, maintain and support technology.

Where a standard small business or residential client might easily call in a local tech group or geek squad – the small to medium sized healthcare client should seek out professionals with specific knowledge of their distinct needs.


Please click on one of the questions below:

Five questions to ask a potential healthcare technology consultant
Which services will a good HIT provider offer?
What should you expect from a good EMR/HIT support group?
Where to find a good consultant or specialist.

Five questions to ask a potential healthcare IT consultant:

1) Do you have any certifications or support experience in healthcare specific technology?
2) What do you know about HIPAA compliance?
3) How familiar are you with EMR/EHR/PM solutions?
4) Do you have any experience with or access to Medical Device connectivity?
5) What do you know about electronic vs. paper medical workflow

Look for thoughtful and detailed answers to each of these questions. This quick evaluation will help identify which tech groups can provide knowledgeable guidance as you move your facility to a more technical infrastructure.

Which specific HIT skillsets you really need to get started:

Not every practice needs the expertise of a high-level HIT consulting firm. Many agencies identifying themselves as HIT Proficient will provide services which exceed your immediate needs. In this case you may find that prices per hour or contract requirements are higher than expected.

To create your initial IT environment, you should seek out a group or individual identifying themselves as providing technical expertise. Services should include:

Skilled IT Assessments (Assess what a practice has in place and may need to be ready for EMR)
Technology Consulting, Hardware Selection
Hardware Quotes and Purchasing*
Hardware/Software Support and Systems Maintenance
IT Installation & Upgrades
Software Training and Computer Project Assistance
EMR Solution and Software Selection*
Readiness and Workflow Assessments, Reports and Guidance
Medical Device product selection and purchase
Wired and Wireless Networking - HIPAA Compliant Security
Offsite Backup and Storage
Waiting Room/Patient Entertainment, Digital Signage and Media*
Remote Login Assistance and Prompt Phone Support (help desk) Line*

What should you expect from a good EMR/HIT support group?

A good HIT group will focus on the unique needs of your medical environment. They will be tuned into your practice dynamics and look to fit the technology to your specialty, skillsets and personal goals.

They should also be your partner in identifying ways to improve efficiencies – both relating to workflow and in terms of your budgeting needs. Any group encouraging you to dramatically change your flow of tasks OR to spend more than is practical for your site and size, should raise a red flag immediately.

In addition, you should feel that your consultant(s) is your advocate. They should not be pressured by EMR vendors, hospitals or manufacturers to push you in any singular direction. Anyone receiving heavy incentives to steer you toward specific solutions, is a reseller… NOT a consultant.

Look for descriptive terms such as… independent and agnostic to describe anyone you consider to give you guidance. The independent consultant can engage the services of a reseller (or several resellers) and can monitor the selection of best fit products and services knowledgeably on your behalf.

You should also expect a good consultant to oversee the entire IT infrastructure process. Making sure that all of the identified pieces fall into place at the right times for the right reasons. Ask for a clear project list and timeline. Look for a checklist of executable goals. Steps identified and outlined with clear objectives will help you feel confident that each step is carefully planned and followed.

Where will you find a good HIT consultant or specialist?

Certainly, one way to identify an HIT specialist is to consult industry colleagues and practices who have engaged these services in the recent past. Always ask the 5 questions in this article when inquiring via an existing relationship – and make sure that this group or person will fit YOUR specific needs.

Your admitting hospital or practice manager may also have good recommendations for HIT support. Again, be sure you ask material questions of any and all referrals and confirm that the services they provide are relevant to your identified project. And finally – if you do not have reliable immediate referral sources for consulting/IT service – or if you wish to consider an HIT professional with guaranteed EMR knowledge, HIPAA compliance skills and general healthcare IT education, please consult our nationwide HIT Consultant and Services Directory.

Onsite service groups are available nationwide with multiple industry qualifications and certifications to assist you at all levels of your pre or post EMR/EHR implementation project.

Initial remote support and EMR guidance is provided FREE OF CHARGE via our toll-free help desk to get you started and to help direct you to the best guidance for any EMR or Healthcare technology project.

Last Updated: January 16, 2012