Not all electronic health record (EHR) software solutions are created equal. As a substance abuse professional, you should be able to choose a software solution that has your specialty and facility’s specific needs in mind.
Here are six things to look for in a substance abuse EHR:
1. Designed for Substance Abuse
Substance abuse professionals may be tempted to choose a generic EHR product that seems to do “enough,” especially if they have “decision fatigue.” However, general EHR software may not include all the features you need as a substance abuse treatment provider.
Make the choice easier by limiting your options only to those EHR solutions specifically designed for substance abuse and addiction treatment. Once you have narrowed down your options, look for EHRs that can be further customized for your practice, and can be updated and adapted if your needs change.
2. Treatment Plan Support
Substance abuse is a complex health issue that calls for a variety of treatment options, some of which may be long-term or even lifelong. Sometimes the provider and client have to try several different treatment options before finding the best one.
Therefore, your substance abuse software should also support different treatment plans. This includes both short- and long-term goals, with the ability to track outcomes and follow the “Golden Thread.”
3. Coordinated Billing
Substance abuse and addiction treatment providers also face the challenges of coordinating care across different diagnoses and treatment plans. Your substance-abuse software should include coordinated billing to streamline this process and reduce those challenges.
Look for an EHR solution that helps simplify your billing and reduce errors, making staff more efficient and reducing the risk of burnout. Make sure your chosen EHR allows you to create invoices, track billing, and partner with outside billing contractors.
4. Medication Management
Substance abuse and addiction treatment clients often have multiple diagnoses, requiring multiple medications. To help streamline care, make sure your substance abuse software includes medication management.
Clinicians should be able to use substance abuse software to create electronic prescriptions, such as antidepressants or medication-assisted treatment for addiction. The EHR should help monitor client medications and warn of any possible interactions.
5. Thorough Training for Use
Whichever EHR software solution you choose, the vendor should ensure smooth training and implementation, preparing all users for the new system. Choose a substance abuse software solution with training, tutorials, demos, regular updates, and easily accessible support.
Look for vendors that provide free demos. This is a great time to learn more about the EHR vendor, making sure they provide the customer service you need.
6. Vendors Support Best Practices
In purchasing substance abuse software, you enter into partnership with the software vendor. This vendor should be knowledgeable not only about their own products, but your specialty, as well.
Consider an EHR vendor that is a member of a reputable industry group, such as the HIMSS Electronic Health Record Association. This ensures that you are working with a solutions provider that is committed to industry best practices and has access to the latest knowledge.
Created With Addiction Treatment and Recovery in Mind
BestNotes’ EHR system is an all-in-one solution that is designed specifically for the needs of substance abuse professionals. Use it to manage admissions, intake, assessments, treatment plans, medications, billing, lab results, and more.
BestNotes also provides flexible pricing, month-to-month contracts, and user support. Contact us today for a free demo.