An EMR, while it does carry a cost, shouldn’t be considered as a mere capital outlay such as the cost for office supplies. It is perhaps more productive to consider a cost -benefit analysis of an EMR that captures the overall quality of the investment by estimating how much value will be added over time. We work with customers (small and large clinics) to measure their return on investment in several different ways including: increased productivity, increased revenue, and decreased overtime. For example, many have reported increased productivity measured in time NOT spent looking for a chart, thus more patients can be seen. Because of automated charge capture, one customer recovered 1 million dollars in missed medication charges. In addition, other non-financial benefits should also be considered such as staff benefits and patient safety. West Michigan Cancer Center converted their old chart storage room into a workout room for both employees and clients. Reuters (2009) reports a study of hospitals in Texas that showed substantial benefits from ‚going paperless. For hospitals and doctors who actually used technology (as opposed to ‚just having it around), patients experienced 16 percent lower risk of complications. Please see impac.com/roi for more information, a CD and white paper. We are also currently developing an ROI tool that takes into account the new governmental EMR incentives (HITECH), which should be posted in the near future.

Suzanne Marshall, EdM.,RN, Impac Software, Medical Oncology Business Marketing Manager.