Optometry EMR Software Buyers Guide
Last updated: June 01, 2023
Optometry EMR System - A Complete Guide to Help You Make the Right Choice
The field of optometry deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eyes and vision conditions ranging from mere astigmatism to glaucoma. An optometry-specific Electronic Medical Record (EMR) or Electronic Health Record (EHR) software can help optometry practitioners increase their workflow and performance. Easy access to insurance codes and templates in EMRs can help optometrists make informed decisions by providing a detailed understanding of the patient’s history.
For example, the leading EMR software systems for optometrists will feature a display screen that views the changes in the intraocular pressure (IOP) value of their patients over time. This can help the optometrist evaluate the risk of glaucoma. In this buyer’s guide, we are going to walk you through a list of features and tasks that you need to look out for before buying an Optometry EMR system for your practice.
Important Features in an EMR Software
Before purchasing any EMR software, there are a few considerations that you need to look out for. These aspects help differentiate a ‘good’ quality EMR software from a ‘bad’ quality one.
User-friendly Navigation and Experience: A user-friendly interface can help you simplify tasks and actions for your staff and help them in increasing their productivity.
Integration: You should easily be able to integrate the EMR solution you select with your existing system, irrespective of the device you are working on.
Ease of Access: You should also be able to access patient information, write e-prescriptions, check patient charts, etc. 24/7 from anywhere in the world. One of the biggest benefits of having a cloud-based EHR system is to not have to be restricted to your server for patient information.
Always Available for Support: When you are implementing a new digital solution, it is completely normal to run into problems. However, if you have strong support from your EMR software provider, you can easily overcome any problem you encounter during this process and afterward as well.
Before making any final decisions, it is always better to ask your provider for an Optometry EMR Software Demo or check reviews of their past clients. This will allow you to make sure if the software you’re choosing is the right one for your practice or not. Lastly, make sure to compare the different EMR software you choose to select the one that is perfect for your optometry practice.
Features of Optometry EMR Software
Now it’s time to talk about Optometry EMR systems specifically. Before making any final decisions, make sure your Optometry EMR systems contains the following features:
Intraocular pressure (IOP) tracking: Optometry EMR software systems feature a display screen that shows the changes in the intraocular pressure (IOP) values of the patient over time. This can help the optometrist evaluate the risk of glaucoma and visually demonstrate the importance of compliance with your patients.
Optometry-specific Templates: Optometry-specific SOAP note templates are designed to allow practitioners to cut the time, cost, and effort they spend on note-taking. These templates can include:
- Macular degeneration
- Glaucoma
- Trichiasis
- Corneal abrasion
- Ectropion
- Cataracts
- Blurred vision
- Chalazion
- Conjunctivitis
- Graves’ disease
Visions and Eye Exam Device Integration: Integration with vision and eye exam devices can help display information from your practice’s keratometer and autorefractor to support the diagnosis.
Point-of-sale Capabilities: One of the major factors that differentiate optometrists from other medical specialties is the associated retail sales. Point-of-Sale (POS) capabilities allow selling and managing the inventory of eye equipment, such as contact lenses and glasses faster and easier.
HIPAA Compliance: A Optometry Care EMR Software must also ensure the security and safety of patient records while guaranteeing privacy and HIPAA compliance for patient/doctor communication. The majority of the providers ensure the safety of the patient records by using advanced tools such as data encryption technologies.
Billing: An Optometry EMR solution helps simplify your medical billing procedures by automation and providing timely verification of insurance coverage.
E-Prescribing: Optometry EHR Software also provides e-prescribing to create, prescribe, change, and renew prescriptions with ease.
Patient Scheduling: The Optometry EHR Software allows patients to schedule and change their appointments without any hassle. It also gives the option of enabling daily reminders and electronic booking.
Determining Your Needs
Before deciding which EHR solution to implement, it’s important to understand what your practice’s needs are. When it comes to EHR solutions, one size doesn’t fit all. Understanding your needs will not only help you decide the best solution for your practice but also help you use your EHR solution to the fullest. Optometry EMR software is in today’s world essential for practitioners because it helps save time and money.
How to Select an Optometry EHR Vendor?
Now that you know what kind of features you need to look for, it’s time to discuss what type of Optometry EHR software vendor you should select for your medical practice.
Vendor and Practice Size – Firstly, you need to understand which size of companies your vendor typically aims for. After that, you need to analyze the size of your practice as well. If you have a large facility, you wouldn’t want to select an EHR vendor that only deals with small practices. Typically, the vendors that cater to larger facilities have a high-cost Optometry EMR solution.
Vendor Certification – This is probably the most important aspect before selecting an EMR vendor for your practice. You need to make sure your vendor is ONC-authorized testing and certification body (ONC-ATCB). Selecting a non-certified vendor will only bring you trouble and a nuisance to your practice.
System Design – This will probably depend on whether you want to install Optometry EMR software on-site in your server, or use a cloud-based one. Although you’ll get more advantages with a cloud-based solution, it probably boils down to your personal preference. Whatever you choose, you’ll need to find an EMR vendor that provides the service you are looking for.
Even after making a final decision, you should use an Optometry EMR software demo or check out their guides to make sure it is exactly what you’re expecting. A quick comparison of the Optometry EHR software available in the market can help you find the best one for your practice.
What’s the Final Step?
Before making your decision, it is essential to understand how every vendor and practice workflow is unique. For this reason, a vendor that may work for one practice may not exactly suit the other. Therefore, software experts and industry specialists are an ideal source of information, advice, and ultimately ensuring that the right decision is made.
After understanding the features and deciding upon a few potential vendors, you can also compare the pricing of the Optometry EMR systems. After you reach a vendor with all the services, features, support, and cost plans you are looking for, you can finally make the last step and move towards its implementation.
