What’s the difference between an EHR (Electronic Health Record) system and an EMR (Electronic Medical Record) system?

Answer: EMR refers to the clinical aspect of the system: ePrescribing, electronic charts, clinical decision support, etc. An EHR system includes everything that an EMR does, in addition to practice management functions such as scheduling and billing.

Do I need to purchase new hardware and computer equipment implement the EHR system?

Answer: After you have completed your PCIP application, an IT Expert on our team will set up a phone appointment with you to discuss your hardware needs. In the meantime, feel free to ask a PCIP Outreach staff member for a list of hardware requirements. You can write to our outreach team at pcip@health.nyc.gov. We respond to e-mails within 24 hours during normal business hours.

I have heard that the EHR transmits data to DOHMH. What kind of data is collected?

Answer: Through the Healthcare Quality Information Network, the Health Department receives automated reports that provide numerator- and denominator-level clinical data on the 32 quality measures outlined by the Take Care New York Campaign. This data helps us track the outbreak of epidemics like swine flu and also helps us track the public health impact of various city initiatives.

What steps has PCIP taken to protect the confidentiality of the data that is stored in the system. (e.g. credit cards, health information, SS numbers)?

Answer:  Neither DOHMH nor any vendors we work with store any health or personal information data. All are HIPAA compliant.

Does the Health Department receive any personal or health information about my patients? Does it know, for example, that patient X has an STD?

Answer: No. All the information the health department receives is aggregated and “de-identified.” We never see a patient’s name. The reports we receive might indicate that 15 percent of the patients at a given practice have diabetes, but we would have no way of knowing who the patients were.

How does the Health Department define “provider” in its provider counts?

Answer: Provider counts include MDs, DOs, residents and mid levels (NPs, PAs, and Nurse Midwives).

For how long will PCIP continue to offer support services as my office switches to an EHR?

Answer: PCIP will provide services to your practice including maintenance and support for two years from the date your contract is signed.

Will PCIP evaluate or audit my practice in any way?

Answer: No. When PCIP conducts a site visit or testing call, we’re there to evaluate the software. We are not in the business of evaluating doctor performance.  

What makes you think that electronic health records will improve health? What’s the evidence?

Answer: EHRs do not necessarily improve health on their own. EHRs simply capture information about patients in an efficient and accessible format. In the hands of a savvy user, however, knowledge is power. EHRs empower physicians and their staff to address their patients’ complete care needs. They can produce enormous gains in patient health, but only when they are designed and deployed with an eye toward improving specific health outcomes. For example, EHRs were central to a program at Kaiser Permanente in Colorado that reduced deaths from cardiovascular disease by 76%. The New York City Department of health is committed to delivering to your practice the concrete guidance you need to dramatically improve the health of your patients by giving you access to all the information you need at the right time.

Where can I get more training?

Answer: DOHMH offers free monthly EHR trainings for new and advanced users at several locations in New York City.

For a schedules and registration info, please go to www.emrtraining.eventbrite.com. We offer classes with topics on billing, CDSS alerts, Patient-Centered Medical Home, Meaningful Use, and much more.

All classes are available for NYC REACH members only and selected ones are for PCIP members. To understand your membership options, please visit: http://www.nycreach.org/provider/eligibility.