Podiatrists with solo practices or that do nursing home visits need the best Podiatry EMR and EHR software to have a smooth workflow and provide their patients with the best care possible. Moreover, neither the staff nor physicians have to go through the stress of trying to use software that doesn’t align with their processes and settings.

We present you with the top 5 must-have tools and features for your Podiatry EMR and EHR software before you use and implement it in your practice.

1. Secure Messaging for Patients via Patient Portal

The National Library of Medicine study found that patient portals improved psychological outcomes, medication adherence, and preventive health care use. To encourage patients to take part in their health care, we must understand patient portals’ role as effective interventions.

Look for an EHR system with secure messaging capabilities for your podiatry practice. This patient portal feature has been shown to improve provider and patient workflow. For instance, if a patient does not appear to attend the clinic in person, he can contact you directly through the portal. It helps reduce no-shows and provides excellent interaction between the patient and provider.

Furthermore, the patient portal allows patients to view charts, vaccination records, treatment plans, diagnoses, appointment history, lab results and can refill their prescriptions, 

The importance of patient engagement in healthcare has grown with the advent of value-based care. With an end-to-end EHR system, you can provide your patients with the convenience they want and enhance the security of patient data.

2. Clinical Charting Tool

Keeping track of a patient’s medical history, visit notes, and treatment plan takes time but is essential. That’s why a reliable charting feature is a must in your podiatry EHR software. For example, in a dynamic photo charting tool, you can take pictures, upload them to the chart and add annotations. Meanwhile, a clinical charting tool in your podiatry EHR software can make your job easier and help you ensure patient records are accurate. After setting up the clinical chart to your standards, you should have no trouble navigating it.

Furthermore, you can create macro buttons to automate your notes further. Using these buttons can speed up charting and improve billing and claim accuracy.

3. Integration

For your practice to be successful, your EMR system must be able to integrate with existing systems. Almost all EHRs connect with labs so that healthcare providers can share information with other clinicians involved in the patient’s care. However, the best EHR system won’t help your podiatry practice if it doesn’t integrate with hospitals and large healthcare systems.

Consider these factors when choosing an EHR system for your podiatry practice:

• Is it capable of single-system billing?
• Can you simultaneously use a single log-in to access key performance indicators, outcomes, and patient engagement tools?
• Is it an API-dependent product?
• Are your team members required to undergo additional training? Do you have sufficient technical support to make the process easy?

System integration reduces paperwork, lowers costs, and makes it easier for you and your patients to keep results organized.

4. Built-in Templates

It is better to choose an EMR software for podiatry that offers pre-built podiatry templates for completing CPT codes, reviewing systems, facilitating prescriptions, and accommodating specific problems in podiatry. This podiatry EMR software should provide templates for conditions such as:

• Foot pain
• Ingrown toenails
• Foot Deformities
• Amputation
• Hammer Toe
• Ankle fractures
• Bunions
• Foot Ulcers
• Diabetic Foot Care

Podiatrists should utilize templates that automatically populate the correct information enabling faster, more efficient, and more secure paperwork.

5. Continuous Support and Training

Reviews of all software consistently highlight the importance of support and training. An EHR system with detailed FAQs is a trustworthy system.

Ideally, EHR systems should provide excellent responsive customer support and an easy-to-use interface in a low-cost package. Rather than troubleshooting technical issues, spend your time delivering exceptional service to your patients.

In contrast, outstanding EHR systems contribute to the growth and success of healthcare providers through an efficient onboarding process. Consider negotiating a support contract with your EHR vendor that includes free and unlimited training.

As the EHR market evolves, physicians now possess more “buying power” than ever when selecting the perfect EHR. Health care providers use the best EHR systems to improve patient care, including safety, communication, and timeliness. Moreover, they integrate patient data across multiple systems to make better clinical decisions.

Choose the Top EMR/EHR Software 

Over the years, we have assisted podiatrists with EHR/EMR selection, implementation, and software usage. The podiatry business is our expertise, and we can customize EMR/EHR software to meet your office needs. 

For more personalized information, schedule a demo or contact us through the contact form. Let’s work together to find the best software for your podiatry office.

Do you have a favorite EHR add-on service? You are free to comment below!

The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) is hosting its Annual Scientific Meeting (The National) in 2015 in Orlando, Florida from July 23-26. The National is the leading foot and ankle conference for podiatric medical professionals. It features seminars, hands-on training sessions and workshops, and an exhibit hall where vendors can showcase Podiatry EMR software and other industry-specific products.

1st Providers Choice is excited to be attending The National and to have the ability to demonstrate the many features of its EMR software for podiatrists. The EMR software helps physicians attest for Meaningful Use and qualify for stimulus incentives. The intuitive Meaningful Use dashboard allows podiatrists to track their progress meeting specific MU objectives, view percentages of compliancy and more.

Our Podiatry EMR Software also provides the tools that healthcare organizations need in order to run more efficient operations, improve productivity, and provide high quality care. This includes an advanced scheduling module, EHR-integrated billing and an online healthcare portal that’s easy for both patients and staff to use.

ICD-10 Ready Podiatry EMR Software

With the ICD-10 deadline quickly approaching, podiatrists will be happy to learn that our EMR/PM system is ICD-10 ready. We work with practices to make sure that they understand how the new codes work and provide tools for testing to ensure that all systems are ready by the October 1, 2015 deadline.

We invite you to visit our booth at the conference to learn more about our product. You can also call 480-782-1116 to get more information about our Stage 2 certified EMR software.

When it comes to Podiatry EHR software, not all systems are created equal. Having a reliable electronic health record solution that is 2014 Edition certified and ICD-10 ready is of the utmost importance for Podiatry Practices looking to attest for Meaningful Use, improve quality of care and increase revenue. Many practices are learning this the hard way, specifically those using TRAKnet Podiatry EHR.

After TRAKnet’s previous owners suddenly went out of business and decided to sell the EHR and Practice Management platform in 2013, users of the software have begun experiencing problems, resulting in more and more podiatry practices seeking an alternative for their EHR and billing needs. 1st Providers Choice is one of the leading Podiatry EHR solutions that physicians are turning to – both for the quality of our EHR/PM system and the dedication of our staff.

1st Providers Choice has a data conversion utility set up that makes it easy for our technicians to move EHR and Patient data over. We also offer the possibility of converting transactions and patient financial data, something that few vendors offer. Because we have experience performing EHR data conversions from most major EHR systems, we know what files to look for and how to minimize the pain of moving from one system to another.

The different categories of data we can convert include:

• Patient demographics
• Patient visit notes
• The multimedia folder
• Scans and images
• Labs and test results
• Other clinical data
• Insurance companies
• Referring doctors
• Patient schedules

To start the TRAKnet data conversion process, all we need is a backup of your important data files. Our technicians will log in to your system remotely, convert your valuable patient and billing data in real time, and transfer it to the new system. Your data will never leave your facility and your patient data will be completely secure.

If you would like to convert your TRAKnet data to 1st Providers Choice’s highly rated Podiatry EHR software, we can help. Call 480-782-1116 today to get started!

Podiatry EHR software provider 1st Providers Choice is proud to announce that they will be attending this year’s Valley of the Sun Podiatry Conference as an EHR exhibitor. Co-sponsored by the Podiatry Institute and the Arizona Podiatric Medical Association, the 2014 conference is being held in Phoenix, Arizona from April 24-27.

Among the list of interesting topics that will be presented at the conference by various highly-respected and well-known doctors of podiatric medicine are: Surgical Treatment of Advanced Forefoot Deformity, Innovations in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, Dislocating Personnel Tendons- Reliable Repair Techniques, the Role of Advanced Biologics in Wound Care, Syndesmosis Repair, and more.

There will also be several hands-on workshops featuring latest techniques and technologies including topics as such as: Ankle Foot Orthotics- Controlling the Uncontrollable Foot, Navigating the Challenges of MRSA Infected Wounds, and Treating Complex Hallux Valgus Deformities.

All these lectures, workshops, and education sessions will help educate conference attendees to better understand the various updates and strategies in would care, surgical approaches to complications and revision surgery.

Healthcare professionals will also have several opportunities to meet with podiatry EHR vendors and other companies showcasing their podiatry-related products. 1st Providers Choice will be exhibiting their EHR and practice management software. Some of the features of our podiatry EHR software include:

• Podiatry-specific exam and procedure templates, letters and forms
• Billing codes specific to podiatry (ICD-9, ICD-10, CPT)
• Pre-loaded reports and ability to create custom reports
• Image library with hundreds of foot-related diagrams
• Client-server and web-based hosting options
• Extensive drug formulary database
• Ability to e-prescribe controlled substances
• Meaningful Use Stage 2 certified

To learn more about the conference, click here. We hope to see you all in Phoenix!

Big changes have been happening in the healthcare industry in the last few years, revolutionizing the care delivery process, the role that patients play in their care, and how medical records are stored and managed. With all of these changes taking place recently it should come as no surprise that 2014 is poised to be another important year, not only for podiatrists but for all doctors. Physicians will finally be able to start attesting to Stage 2 of the Meaningful Use program on January 1st, for one, meanwhile undertaking preparations to meet the October 1, 2014 deadline to switch from ICD-9 to ICD-10 diagnosis and procedure coding.

For podiatrists, using fully integrated podiatry EHR software will make it easier to affront the many challenges that next year will bring. Here’s a run-down of some of the more important things your practice should prepare for as 2014 draws near:

Attesting to Meaningful Use In 2014

The EHR Incentive Programs have been around for about two years now, and slowly but surely healthcare professionals have gotten the hang of the attestation process. If you are a Meaningful Use veteran in your second, third, or even fourth year of participation, you may have already grown accustomed to the full year reporting periods which are required for Stage 1 after the first year of attestation.

Next year, however, is going to be different as eligible hospitals and healthcare professionals can get started with Stage 2. In 2014 only, all providers – regardless of what stage they are on – are required to demonstrate meaningful use for just 3 months (90 days). The purpose of the universal 3-month reporting period in 2014 is to give all healthcare professionals time to implement and/or upgrade their certified electronic health record software to meet meaningful use requirements going forward.

For podiatrists participating in the Medicare program, the reporting period is fixed to the quarter of either the calendar year (for eligible providers) or fiscal year (for hospitals and critical access hospitals). This is not the case for those participating in the Medicaid program only.

If you are new to Meaningful Use, make sure you decide ahead of time which program you are going to participate in – and find out when you can start the reporting process. If you are ready to move on to Stage 2, check with your EHR vendor to make sure your podiatry EHR software meets the Stage 2 requirements.

Preparing for ICD-10

Getting your podiatry practice ready for 2014 means making the necessary preparations to switch to ICD-10 before October 1st. Though the CEO of the Medical Group Management Association referred to ICD-10 as one of the most expensive and complicated changes the healthcare industry has faced in decades, with proper planning the transition doesn’t have to be so overwhelming. If your practice is already using ICD-10 ready practice management software for podiatry together with a podiatry EHR, the only thing you will have to worry about is getting accustomed to the new codes. Like with any new change, this will happen with patience over time.

Interested in learning more about our podiatry EHR software, Meaningful Use, or ICD-10 preparations and its potential costs? Call 480-782-1116 or contact us online to talk to one of our representatives today!

The Heartland Podiatry Conference will be held in Des Moines, Iowa next week from October 3 to 6. The annual meeting is being hosted by the Iowa Podiatric Medical Society (IPMS) in conjunction with the Heartland Scientific Committee and the Nebraska Podiatric Medical Society. In addition to the many podiatrists attending the event, there will be nurses, assistants, podiatry EHR vendors, and other vendors and exhibitors relevant to the podiatry field.

Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska-based physicians who attend the conference can receive up to 25 CME credit hours depending on which of the workshops and lectures they attend. The same goes for nurses who wish to qualify for their own continue education credits (CEU). To view the list of approved courses and their corresponding credits, view the Doctor’s and Assistant’s agendas on IPMS’ website.

Some of the topics of the courses offered for podiatric nurses and assistants include: responding to hostile behavior in the workplace; coding updates and ICD-10; and how new technologies are modifying practice workflows and creating new risks. Podiatrists will be able to attend a series of lectures and mini workshops about new procedures and technologies and overall podiatric care. On the last day of the conference the Heartland Scientific Committee will give a lecture titled “My Most Interesting Care.”

In addition to the many lectures and discussions scheduled throughout the four-day seminar, the Heartland Podiatry Conference is also hosting an exhibitor reception on Thursday, October 54. All those in attendance will have the chance to talk to exhibitors, view podiatry EHR software demos first-hand, and mingle with other guests.

Podiatry EHR software will be a popular topic this week at the Podiatry Institute’s “Update 2012 Reconstructive Surgery of the Foot Ankle” seminar. The event, which is being co-sponsored by the San Diego Podiatric Society, kicks off on Thursday, September 27 in San Diego, California and will come to a close on Sunday, September 30.

Podiatrists (and other physicians in attendance), will take part in workshops, lectures and group discussions covering a wide range of topics relevant to the podiatry specialty. Some of the topics that will be discussed are: the widespread challenges that many podiatrists face; new technologies and techniques used in treating foot and ankle afflictions; and how to avoid common complications.

There will also be exhibitors at the event showcasing the latest podiatry technologies, such as electronic medical records software – one of the things that is sure to be a topic of conversation amongst podiatrists at the San Diego conference. 1st Providers Choice will be exhibiting their IMS Podiatry EMR and will be providing live demos for interested physicians.

There are two lectures on the agenda that specifically target EHR use. The first, “Designing Your Practice’s Workflow to Optimize Your EHR Implementation,” will be held on the first day of the conference. While there is no information yet as to what speakers will talk about specifically, physicians can most likely look forward to suggestions about implementing EHR software for podiatrists. The second event, which will take place on Saturday, is called “Optimizing EHR to Improve Patient Care and Mitigate Risk.” The lecture will focus on improving patient care through proper use of an EHR, and presenters will talk about documentation risks, suggested charting techniques, and patient privacy.

To learn more about the three remaining seminars on the Podiatry Institute’s 2012 agenda, click here.

The Podiatry Institute is a world renowned nonprofit educational foundation whose members are committed to advancing podiatric medicine and surgery. The Institute hosts seminars, conferences, and workshops throughout the year in an effort to promote and advance podiatric medicine. All proceeds from these meetings are used to develop educational materials for podiatrists and other foot and ankle surgery physicians.

Podiatry EMR software has made it possible for physicians to effortlessly transition from paper charts to electronic medical records and to attest to Meaningful Use. In fact, among the providers eligible for incentive payments through the EHR Incentive Program, podiatry is one the specialties that has seen the most EMR converts. In May 2011 when the first Meaningful Use checks were sent out, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid reported that podiatrists accounted for 12 percent of incentive payment recipients. The fact is, podiatrists seem to be satisfied with their fully certified EMRs, and here are a few reasons why.

Custom forms and templates make charting more efficient. Podiatrists using generic EMRs often find that the software requires extensive customization in order to fully meet the needs of their specialty. With podiatry-specific EMR software, however, the system’s screens, terminology and documentation are already suited to the needs of podiatry specialists. This means that the EMR software is ready to use out of the box and requires little modification.

Some of the documents available to podiatrists include patient instructions and educational resources, as well as exam templates for issues such as ankle fracture, routine foot exam, ingrown toenail, diabetic foot ulcer and more. The software also comes equipped with graphics and diagrams of the foot, ankle and lower extremities, on which physicians can draw or write notes on.

The podiatry-specific medical billing manager makes billing more accurate. For example, the EMR automatically suggests certain billing codes based on the procedures and diagnoses that the physician selected during the visit. Features such as this help ensure that podiatrists get paid for all of the work that they do and that certain codes are not forgotten or accidentally left out.

Built-in reporting modules make it easier for podiatrists to attest to Meaningful Use and qualify for incentive payments.  By using the Meaningful Use dashboard and module features, physicians can see the percentage of progress they have made in attesting to Meaningful Use, as well as what progress is still left to be made.

Are you a podiatrist interested in transitioning to a podiatry-specific EMR for the first time? Or are you looking to convert your data to IMS from a different EMR? Learn how our fully certified podiatry EMR and practice management software solutions can benefit your practice.