Physician Spotlight

The Illumisys Physician Spotlight highlights a practice whose physicians have been instrumental in championing and implementing Health Information Technology (HIT). These case studies explore best practices and lessons learned from HIT initiatives such as adoption and utilization of electronic health records (EHRs) or electronic medical records (EMRs).

Berkeley Cardiovascular Medical Group

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center

Address:
2450 Ashby Avenue, 2nd floor
Berkeley, CA 94705

Web site: www.bcvmg.com

A community based nonprofit organization, Berkeley Cardiovascular Medical Group (BCVMG) is a multi-location practice of 10 cardiovascular specialists offering comprehensive services designed to meet the healthcare needs of the diverse communities of the greater East Bay. 

HIT Initiative

BCVMG has implemented and adopted NextGen's® Practice Management solution and is at the midpoint of their NextGen EMR implementation.

BCVMG is currently using the following NextGen applications:

  • EPM Version: 5.4.29
  • EMR Version: 5.4.29
  • ICS Version: 5.4.29
  • Knowledge Base Modules (KBM) Version: 7.4

Key Findings Applicable to Physician Practices

Physician practices can prepare for and increase adoption of an EHR solution based on the insights shared by BCVMG in the areas of vendor selection, technical preparation, operations management, training and implementation, and application usage.

Vendor Selection

  • Reach out to your colleagues and healthcare communities to identify vendors that have successfully provided EHR applications and support. Get references when possible.
  • Translate your EHR goals into available EHR system functions and features.
  • List clinic goals and priorities (include functions and processes that are required elements based on your practice's requirements).
  • Participate in site visits to practices that are similar in nature to your environment and demographics.

Technical Preparation

  • Develop an EHR infrastructure to support your new initiatives while keeping long term goals and trends in sight.
  • Utilize expert information technology advice when establishing your architectural design (i.e. servers network infrastructure, wireless opportunities, etc.).
  • If you are a small practice or have budgetary constraints, consider an application service provider (ASP) model.

Operations Management

  • Set clear expectations and goals at the onset of the project.
  • Identify leaders and champions who can help guide and participate in all aspects of the EHR implementation.
  • Create and implement change management protocols.

Training & Implementation

  • Establish a roll out plan (BCVMG selected a phased or sequential roll out strategy).
  • Analyze existing workflows and redesign to take advantage of efficiencies gained via an electronic process.
  • Do not automate processes just because you can — make sure the automation improves something.
  • Institute protocols that will eliminate consensus approval requirements that typically slow down the build process.
  • Ensure your users have documentation options and flexibility in how they can choose to document within the EHR (e.g., free text typing, voice recognition, partial- or full-note dictation using voice files, macro use, and handwriting recognition).
  • Select a training approach that will meet the needs and skill set of your clinicians and staff (e.g., train-the-trainer, one-on-one training, classroom setting training, or a combination of these methods).
  • Develop a scanning and abstraction policy that will lessen your clinicians' dependence on the "paper" chart.

Application Usage

  • Don't underestimate the amount of time and work involved in becoming an "expert" with your EHR.
  • Be prepared to evaluate and tweak the application over time once it's live, it does not mean it's done.
  • Leverage your colleagues and healthcare community to view and implement new trends before and after your EHR implementation.

Learn more about Berkeley Cardiovascular Medical Group

Staff Bios

From Selection to Implementation:
A Q&A with Berkeley Cardiovascular Medical Group