There is no doubt that Electronic Medical Records (EMR), implemented successfully and used properly, are valuable clinical tools in any medical practice. Their benefits of reducing costs, streamlining workflow, improving medical care and increasing practice productivity are undeniable. However, we hear stories upon stories of failed implementations and deinstallations of these systems across the US. According to a study conducted by HealthLeaders-InterStudy that "The state of Arizona and the Phoenix area have experienced a high adoption rate for electronic medical records, but this has been followed by a "deinstallation" of the technology". What should physicians and practices do to prevent and avoid such a failure? To thoroughly answer this question, we must start at the beginning of the process of changing from paper to electronic. It is very important for everyone involved to understand the implications and ramifications of this very important change. A practice profiling or readiness assessment and aptitude ...

The 111th Congress and President Barack Obama have decided to make health reform a major legislative priority in 2009. Despite a flagging economy and a severely challenging fiscal climate, many politicians (and citizens) believe that the time has arrived to change the way our nation finances health care. Absent in the current discussion regarding reforming our ailing healthcare system is a serious discussion on a key issue overlooked by many: cost. There is a bright spot in this area that has been largely ignored by the mainstream press and print media: HSA’s, or Health Savings Accounts. These tax advantaged plans have quietly performed better than expected in reining in runaway costs, while giving employees the incentive and ability to save money for the future, especially for medical expenses when they retire. Where did HSA’s come from, anyway? HSA’s were signed into law by President George Bush on December 8th, 2003, as a ...

In today’s business and economic environment image can be the difference between success and failure.  This is true in for-profit entities and more so in non-profit organizations.  Non-profit organizations rely heavily on individual donations, which are given based on the reputation, or image of the entity.  The public perception of the organization, the quality of the work it does, how much of every dollar donated actually goes to the exempt purpose on which the entity was founded, these are all important factors used in determining whether to give to a charity or not.   Over the last number of years there have been many instances where an organization received negative press, some justified and some unfounded.  There are various reasons for ...

Would you even think of going to a doctor who did not have the proper credentials or expertise or to any other professional if they did not have the right certificates up on the wall and the experience to back it up? I don’t think so. The same holds true for your trusted financial advisor, your Certified Public Accountant. Although having the right CPA is not necessarily a matter of life and death as it can be with a doctor, it can make a difference in relation to your financial well being. Why it is important to have a qualified CPA is an easy question to answer. Your accountant should not be someone who you see ...