EMR- Hell no we wont go.

As a follow up to my rant on EMR I have been continuing to investigate the situation. Its not that I am closed minded but that EMR is not ready for large scale trials much less prime time. Please note that the ones pushing it are not the ones that would have to pay for it. The legislators would not be using their own money. 

Even with all the problems of transition if it was revenue neutral we would change. Of course them saying revenue neutral is not the same as it being that. In two completely different news reports two proponents fessed up that it would cost between 38000 and 50000 per doctor to change over. They no longer tout any cost benefits but acknowledge there would be increased costs. Well anyone in business knows that if that is the number they claim, it is going to turn out a bit higher.

In addition they admited that up to now at least a third of the doctors that actually pay for this system will disengage it and revert to their old system. Do you know how bad something has to be to give up on that much investment in time, effort and treasure? What other percentage of doctors continue to use it despite it causing them problems and rue the day they decided to go to EMR? A better number would be who is quite happy with their decision. Have not seen that yet.

It would cost our office about a quarter of a million dollars for absolutely no return!! For those of you that have always been employees and think that money does really grow on trees and business owners are a bunch of crybabies and should just spend a few pennies of the untold millions they have: we dont stay afloat by throwing away that kind of money. And with a 30% achance of failure–ARe you Kidding me?

I give to good causes all the time, Kiva, Heifer project, etc. That’s where the money should go, good return on investment. 

To the new Head Of HHS: Get out of the bubble, find out what they dont want you to hear about EMR–there are no money savings anywhere to be had. When people transitioned from horses to cars it wasnt for the money savings. See what % of household income went to the horse and then to the car.

You can force us to go electronic or force us to leave medicine. Which one will probably depend on our age, other skills and opportunities. 

EMR-NRFPT*

 

(Not ready for prime time)