3 Signs it May Be Time to Ditch Your Current EMR Vendor

As EMR adoption grows, the number of EMR vendors continues to increase as well. Medical practices rely on EMR vendors to make the right implementations and functions that are compatible and useful in their place of practice, as well as to provide technical support when in need of assistance. Medical practices are in search for a vendor who will provide and carry out the services and features that suit the need of the practice. Overall, medical practices want a vendor who is dedicated and committed to working in the best interest of the practice, hence a long-term vendor.

When seeking an EMR vendor, medical practices commonly take their time in selecting an EMR vendor in order to find a vendor who will work in the interest of the practice and carry out tasks as requested. Although medical practices may find an EMR vendor they find suitable as the vendor shares the same visions, understands the practice and their mission, and wants to work towards helping them reach success, they may fail to perform these tasks.

If you’re experiencing issues with your EMR vendor, below are three red flags that it may be time to ditch your vendor.

1. Incomplete implementation of the system: The role of the EMR vendor is to provide your medical practice with an effective EMR system, and that means to fully implement the EMR system. If your practice has been stuck between using charts and an EMR system, it’s an obvious sign that your EMR vendor isn’t concerned of your needs. Using both charts and an EMR system can cause workflow disruption and can result in misplaced or lost patient information. The EMR vendor should fully implement the system and ensure the system runs efficiently and effectively.

2. Difficulty in using the system: Remember that the EMR system is to allow for easy and quick usage – it shouldn’t cause you and your coworkers hassle or result in losing time with patients because you’re spending more time trying to figure out how to use the system. If the system requires too many clicks, the navigation is hard, or you just have no idea what’s going on, then it’s an indicator that you may have chosen a bad vendor.

3. Very little communication from the vendor: When an issue with the system arises, who’s the first you contact? The vendor, of course. But, if you found that reaching or getting a hold of the vendor results in waiting for long periods of time, then the vendor isn’t attending to your needs. You want to select a vendor who will guide you through every step of the process and can meet with you anytime you have questions or need assistance.

No EMR vendor should be causing you more frustration than satisfaction.