10 Advantages of an EHR System for Behavioral Health Professionals

When EMR software first hit the market, it was generally designed for medical specialties and not really for behavioral and mental health professionals.  Fortunately over the years, EHR systems have evolved into practical solutions that meet the technological needs of behavioral health providers.  Many offer the same robust features that medical specialties use while also focusing on the differing needs in the behavioral and mental health fields.

With the government's new interest in the possible incentive program for Behavioral Health Specialists, it's important to understand that EHRs have been proven to help provide higher quality and safer care for clients, while creating tangible enhancements for organizations.

As we go through the advantages of an EHR, it's important to keep in mind what your needs are in a system and how they relate to providing top care for your clients.  

EHRs help providers better manage care for clients by:

1.  Providing accurate, up-to-date, and complete information about clients at the point of care

2.  Enabling quick access for all permissible users to client records for more coordinated, efficient care

3.  Sharing electronic information securely with clients and other clinicians

4.  Helping providers more effectively diagnose clients, reduce medical errors, and provide safer care

5.  Improving client and clinician interaction and communication

6.  Enabling safer, more reliable prescribing and tracking of medications

7.  Helping promote legible, complete documentation and accurate, streamlined coding and billing

8.  Enhancing privacy and security of patient data

9.  Helping providers improve efficiency, productivity and work-life balance

10.  Reducing costs through decreased paperwork, improved safety, reduced duplication of testing, and improved health.

(And, here's an bonus advantage.....no more piles of paper charts heaped up everywhere!)

      Next we'll talk about some tips for selecting the best EHR for your organization!