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Considerations for Choosing an Electronic Medical Record for an Ophthalmology Practice
Peter W. DeBry, MD
Arch Ophthalmol. 2001;119:590-596.
Objectives To give a brief overview of issues pertinent to selecting an ophthalmic
electronic medical record (EMR) program and to outline the company demographics
and software capabilities of the major vendors in this area.
Methods Software companies shipping an EMR package were contacted to obtain
information on their software and company demographics. The focus was on companies
selectively marketing to ophthalmology practices, and, therefore, most were
selected based on their representation at the 1998 and/or 1999 American Academy
of Ophthalmology meeting. Software companies that responded to repeated inquiries
in a timely fashion were included.
Results Sixteen companies were evaluated. Electronic medical records packages
ranged from $3000 to $80 000 (mean, approximately $30 000). Company
demographics revealed a range from 1 to 1600 employees (mean, 204). Most of
these companies have been in business for 6 years or less (range, 1-15 years;
mean, 6 years). My opinions concerning various aspects of the EMR are presented.
Conclusions There is a wide range of EMR products available for the ophthalmology
practice. Computer technology has matured to a point at which the graphical
demands of the ophthalmology EMR can be satisfied. Weaknesses do exist in
the inherent difficulty of recording an ophthalmology encounter, the relative
adolescence of software companies, and the lack of standards in the industry.
From the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University
of Wisconsin, Madison. Dr DeBry is now with Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami,
Fla.
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ABSTRACT
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