e-MDs: Leading the Public Policy Conversation on Health Information Technology

AUSTIN, Texas, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- e-MDs, an industry leader in the development and implementation of electronic health records (EHRs) and practice management (PM) solutions, is asserting its voice and issue authority as public policy shapes the future of health information technology.  In recent months, e-MDs executive leadership and clients/users have engaged multiple organizations by testifying in Washington, D.C. on critical issues currently facing the industry.

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Dr. Michael Stearns, President and CEO, e-MDs

Dr. Stearns testified on February 25th before the Health Information Technology (HIT) Policy Committee Adoption and Certification Workgroup on patient safety in health information technology.  Dr. Stearns was chosen to testify on behalf of the HIMSS Electronic Health Records Association.  He responded to several questions presented by the workgroup, which will be advising the full HIT Policy Committee on issues related to patient safety.

"We are committed to working cooperatively with key stakeholders to address and resolve questions and issues associated with the safe use of EHRs and other healthcare IT. We have already initiated work within the association to begin to address these issues across a broad set of vendors who serve this market. Recognize that our industry requires that a comprehensive set of principles will help insure patient safety and manage risks after our solutions go to market. Our members have long had quality management processes in place, and we'll be sharing these best practices within our membership to insure that we are aligned on a strong baseline process." –e-MDs CEO and President Dr. Michael Stearns testimony before the HIT Policy Committee Adoption and Certification Workgroup on patient safety in health information technology.

Full text can be accessed HERE.

"e-MDs was honored to have been invited to testify before HIT Policy Committee workgroups on e-Prescribing, HIT Safety, and meaningful use.  This is part of our ongoing efforts to contribute to a broad spectrum of evolving HIT policy and standards initiatives," stated Dr. Stearns.

Chuck Frederick, Vice President of Clinical Applications, e-MDs

Mr. Frederick testified on January 25th before the HIT Policy Committee Information Exchange Workgroup on E-Prescribing.  He shared with the workgroup e-MDs' view of the Meaningful Use criteria related to e-prescribing.

"e-MDs feels that the current requirements for e-prescribing related to meaningful use in 2011—Stage 1 – are a realistic and practical compromise for providers. There is no doubt that our clients would like to see more functionality rather than less but taking a pragmatic view we also know that these frontline providers cannot be overburdened with more technology than they can easily transition to." –e-MDs Vice President Chuck Frederick testimony before HIT Policy Committee Information Exchange Workgroup on E-Prescribing

Full text can be accessed HERE.

Maria Rudolph, Vice President of Medical Informatics and Government Relations, e-MDs

Ms. Rudolph testified on March 8th before the HIT Standards Committee Implementation Workgroup on lessons & resources to accelerate adoption of electronic health records.  She focused on e-MDs implementation experience and the company's plan to advance customers from purchasers to meaningful users of EHRs.

"We believe in education of both our existing customers as well as those who are beginning to look at adopting EHR and have developed a multi-pronged outreach program that includes hosted webinars, website collateral and outreach to clinician stakeholders that are active in EHR adoption activities, such as the AAFP and ACP." -e-MDs Vice President Maria Rudolph testimony before the HIT Standards Committee Implementation Workgroup at the Hearing on Implementation Starter Kit: Lessons & Resources to Accelerate Adoption

Full text can be accessed HERE.

Dr. Jen Brull, e-MDs user

Dr. Brull also testified on March 8th before the HIT Standards Committee Implementation Workgroup on lessons & resources to accelerate adoption of electronic health records.  Dr. Brull spoke on her practice's implementation experience, the support she has received from e-MDs, and potential barriers outside of her control that might prevent meaningful use.

"We were very successful in our implementation, retaining all staff through the transition and converting to a paperless system within a year of initiating the process. We utilized a step‐wise implementation that allowed staff to learn at their own pace and did not require a drop in patient volume in our office. We have recouped our start up costs and seen an increase in revenue since 2008. … I do not foresee any barriers within my office that will prevent meaningful use, however, I am very concerned about challenges that lie outside of my control." -Dr. Jen Brull, Family Medicine Physician, Plainville, KS testimony before the HIT Standards Committee Implementation Workgroup at the Hearing on Implementation Starter Kit: Lessons & Resources to Accelerate Adoption

Full text can be accessed HERE.

For more information on e-MDs, please visit www.e-mds.com.

e-MDs is a leading developer of health care software solutions headquartered in Austin, Texas.  The company, founded in 1996 by a primary care physician, remains physician and clinical informaticist managed and actively participates in national health information technology and interoperability efforts.  e-MDs Solution Series™, with more than 26,000 users nationwide, is the standard for affordable and integrated EHR and PRACTICE MANAGEMENT software solutions, including clinical, financial and document management modules designed to automate medical practice processes and chart management.  The product is 2008 CCHIT Certified for Ambulatory Care, Cardiovascular Medicine and Child Health. It was designed by physicians, health care information technology experts, and experts in practice management.  The e-MDs Solution Series' comprehensive suite of products facilitates improvements in clinical care, a reduction in medical errors, and optimization of business practices. As testimony to our focus on ease of use and functionality, e-MDs has ranked at the top of all independent, unbiased, physician surveys thus far. For more information, please visit www.e-mds.com.

SOURCE e-MDs