Making Sure Office Computers Are Ready For EMR Software

By: Christine Harrell

Medical practices are taking advantage of free medical software applications that allow them to implement electronic medical records systems. EMR software improves office efficiency and quality of patient care, but before installation it's vital to make sure the office computer system is ready.

Accessing The EMR Software

Administrative personnel who access the free medical software application will do so from standard desktops. The big question is how doctors and nurses will work with the EMR while interacting with patients.

Most examination rooms don't have the space for a desktop computer. Those that do may require the computer to be set up so the doctor has to face away from the patient, thus interfering with the doctor-patient relationship.

Laptops are a common solution. They are small and portable enough to fit in even a small examination room and easier to use in such a way they don't get in the way of communicating with the patients. Be careful because not all laptops will fit the system requirements of the free medical software. Netbooks in particular may seem like a great option because of their size, but in reality their small screens are a liability.

Upgrading or Buying New Computers

Compare existing computer systems with the free medical software system requirements. System requirements are minimums to allow the software to run. It may be worth exceeding the requirements so the software won't just run but will run quickly.

For systems that don't meet the requirements, it may be possible to upgrade them. Adding memory or installing a faster processor may be all that is needed to bring them in line with software requirements.

However it may be impossible to upgrade older computers sufficiently to run the software so the office may be forced to buy new systems for everyone. When disposing of old computers, it is critical to clean the hard drives of any confidential information. Deleting a file is not enough since deleted files can be recovered. There are utilities that will truly erase a hard drive of all information.

Have Experts Do The Work

Free medical software is easy to use, but there will be a learning curve. Office routines will be disrupted in the short-term as everyone gets used to the EMR and new workflows designed around the software. The last thing the practice needs is further complications from hardware problems.

Few medical practices have IT departments so won't have the skill set needed to evaluate and set up the computers for the new software. An outside consultant can help the office make decisions about their computer systems, ensuring the right hardware is purchased and all systems are set up correctly. This ensures the new system works smoothly from day one.

Practices that take the time to prepare their computers for new free medical software experience fewer problems during the startup period and quicker EMR adoption.

Article Source: http://www.myhotarticles.com

If you would like to learn more about free medical software then please visit www.freedommd.com/FreedomIndex.htm where you can find additional information.

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