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Programming a Powerful eMR – or – Jumping the Shark?

By Ann Miller; RN, MHA

Recently we communicated with Al Borges MD, founder of the Office eMR Project. He is quite an innovative guy. His passion – eMRs for the physician masses – through an infra-structure already largely in place?

The Problem: You want to use a great eMR but you can’t afford to pay for it.

You have a growing medical office that is completely paper based, and wish to capture the efficiencies of an electronic medical record (eMR) system. But, many eMR systems on the market are complicated, expensive and have been known to actually slow down the typical office workflow. You have used the MS Office® suite of software products in the past and appreciate its power, but you don’t know how to use it to set up a great eMR that perfectly suits your needs.

An Alternative

Alternatively, you can purchase an inexpensive MS Office® based proprietary eMR, but you might wish to write an add-in to incorporate add certain features to this basic, but excellent eMR platform. So, what do [can] you do?

CCHIT Takes a Hit

http://www.emrupdate.com/blogs/emrinterviews/archive/2006/10/09/CCHIT-takes-a-hit-from-Washington_2C00_-D.C.-area-doctor-who-claims-new-certification-group-restrains-free-trade-in-EMR-_2800_Electronic-Medical-Record_2900_-software.aspx

https://healthcarefinancials.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/cchit-is-prejudiced-and-lacks-diversity-%e2%80%93-an-indictment/

A Solution: Open Source Programs

According to Dr. Borges, one may use his web site to get the answers to program your eMR. His site discusses these very issues. It is continuously growing, with a host of free programs, position papers and forum discussions that touch on a wide variety of topics. These include general information on the use of MS Office® in the medical office, programming the various components of MS Office®, and those political topics that affect how we use health information technology [HIT].

Two Program Versions

There are 2 major eMR programs available – the MS Word® eMR Project (MSWP) and the MS Access® eMR Project (MSAP). But, is the Office eMR Project of Alberto truly an interoperable solution – a digital solution – or something else?

Website: http://www.msofficeemrproject.com

Jumping the Shark

Jumping the Shark is a phrase coined by Jon Hein and used by TV critics to denote the point in a show where the plot veers off into absurd story lines in a desperate attempt to attract viewers. Shows that have “jumped the shark” are typically deemed to have passed their peak. On the other hand, is Dr. Borges a Cassandra at his peak … who just happens to be correct? 

MSFT Discussion Groups for Al Borges, MD

http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx?query=alborg&dg=&cat=en-us-office&lang=en&cr=US&pt=3a4e9862-cdce-4bdc-8664-91038e3eb1e9&catlist=&dglist=&ptlist=&exp=&sloc=en-us

Making eHRs Illegal?

For example, did you know that the democrats want to make use of non certified eHRs illegal in NJ? The bill allegedly provides specifically as follows:

“On or after January 1, 2011, no person or entity is permitted to sell, offer for sale, give, furnish, or otherwise distribute to any person or entity in this State a health information technology product that has not been certified by CCHIT.  A person or entity that violates this provision is liable to a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 for the first violation, not less than $2,500 for the second violation, and $5,000 for the third and each subsequent violation, to be collected pursuant to the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999,” P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.).”

Link: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/A4000/3934_I1.HTM

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated. Is the Office eMR Project a panacea to the eMR conundrum, or a hybrid? What about CCHIT; is it certified – does it have to be? Users and early-adopters, we need your opinions! Has the “shark been jumped” here; or not? Tell us what you think. Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, be sure to subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.

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Filed under: "Doctors Only", Career Development, Information Technology, Interviews, Op-Editorials, Practice Management, Research & Development | Tagged: Al Borges, Alberto Borges MD, CCHIT, EHRs, EMRs, health information technology, HIT, MS Office eMR Project, MS Office® suite, MSAP, MSWP, Office eMR project, open source eHRs, open source eMRs, PHI |