It seems to have become standard practice for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) to use Office EMRs. However, due to the nature of the Office EMR, this may not be the best choice for an ASC, and ASCs may not get the expected results they are looking for.
You may be asking yourself, well, what’s the difference?
The main difference between ASC EMRs and Office EMRs is the clinical documentation process. With so many different EMR technologies, deciding which is best suited for a particular healthcare practice can be difficult. This article explores the differences between the 2 EMR options, ASC EMR and Office EMR, for a surgery center.
What is ASC EMR system?
Simply put, an ASC EMR is strictly built for the surgery center. They cannot be used outside of the ASC because the ASC has a unique workflow.
ASC EMRs are workflow-focused. They help with the clinical documentation of the pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative processes. This may also include the anesthesia record software that is implemented into the EMR. Most Office EMRs don’t do this.
ASC EMRs are designed to provide ASCs with a comprehensive and integrated view of patient care and data across multiple disciplines. The system is designed to improve patient safety by streamlining the workflows and eliminating redundant manual data entry. The system should automate tasks such as reporting, note-taking, marking down vitals, anesthesia information, and more. The ideal ASC EMR should help you go fully digital and not use paper charts.
ASC EMRs should allow for interoperability with other electronic systems, such as billing and scheduling systems, which makes it easier for clinicians to organize and manage patient data. The system also enables clinicians to better coordinate care within and between ambulatory surgery centers. ASC EMR enables providers to access patient data in real time, which can help improve communication and collaboration among healthcare providers. By providing a comprehensive view of patient care and data, ASC EMR can help reduce medical errors and improve patient outcomes.
They should be user-friendly and easy to use, allowing clinicians to quickly access and enter patient data. ASC EMR also offers a variety of features, including the ability to customize forms and templates. Learn more about ASC EMRs here
What is Office EMR?
Office EMR refers to the digitized management of patient health information specifically tailored for clinical or physician office settings. These systems streamline access to critical patient data, including comprehensive medical histories, current and past medications, documented allergies, immunization records, lab results, and other essential information. By centralizing this information, Office EMRs empower physicians and office staff to deliver efficient, informed, and personalized care. Their design often includes user-friendly interfaces and robust features that align with the day-to-day needs of outpatient clinics.
While Office EMRs in environments focused on routine patient interactions and administrative workflows, their utility diminishes in surgical settings. The workflows in a surgery center are inherently more complex, involving simultaneous collaboration between surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and other team members. Office EMRs lack the necessary infrastructure to support real-time multi-user charting, intricate procedural documentation, and the seamless integration required for surgical equipment and anesthesia systems. This disconnect makes them unsuitable for surgery centers, where precision, efficiency, and team collaboration are paramount.
Ultimately, Office EMRs are indispensable in clinics where their tailored functionalities enhance operations, but they fall short in environments with the higher operational demands of surgical facilities.
Comparing ASC EMR and Office EMR
It is common practice for many ASCs to scan paper charts into the Office EMR. This poor use of patient documentation does not allow an ASC to take advantage of the structured data that EMRs offer.
- Cost: ASC EMRs are more affordable at scale. Office EMRs are per provider, and with the number of providers an ASC has, it won’t make sense to use this pricing model.
- Functionality: ASC EMRs offer a workflow-based charting experience that is perfect for them and not provided in Office EMRs. The list of features may vary from EMR to EMR.
- Security: Both EMRs should be secure and HIPAA-compliant
Which One Is Right For You?
Dr.Patel says, “We have been using Ambula EMR for over a year now and are very happy with the software. We use it as the EHR for the surgery center. It works great and fulfills our charting/EHR needs. The software is intuitive and easy to use/user-friendly. The support team is great.”
If you are a surgery center, you need an ASC EMR. If you’re a doctor’s office, you need an Office EMR. Simple as that…
Unfortunately, EMRs are not universal, but they shouldn’t be. Each EMR type serves a specific purpose and should be used as such.
About the Author: Mousa Kadaei
