In order to promote and facilitate adoption of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) among its members, the American College of Cardiology has launched the ACC EHR Selection Initiative. The ACC is working with participating EHR consultants to offer ACC member discounts and assist with the EHR selection process. (Note: The implementation process is separate and may require additional resources.) Click here for the list of participating EHR consultants. Read the ACC EHR Selection Consultants Participation Declaration. Below are the minimum criteria recommended by ACC for its members wishing to work with EHR selection consultants. Consultants participating in the ACC EHR Selection Initiative must meet these criteria. Minimum Criteria - Provides a list of clients that reveals the size of the practice and EHR selected
The consultant provides a list of clients that shows a broad array of EHR vendors selected to ensure there is no preference shown towards certain vendors. For example, all large practices should not have selected the same EHR. These trends may not prevent you from using this EHR consultant, but should be used to more thoroughly assess their decision-making process and the quality of their advice. Having a large number of contacts with EHR vendors enforces that the consultant has many available options to meet the specific needs of the client.
- Provides a list of recent clients for references
This list is available for ACC members to review and contact previous clients about their experience using the selection vendor. When talking to previous clients, members should ask for overall satisfaction with the consultant and their own areas of concern.
- Discusses ACC’s EHR Optimal Functional Requirements with client
The ACC developed a list of functional requirements that are ideal for cardiologists choosing to implement EHR systems.
- Well versed in EHR contracts and be able to assist with negotiation, point out problem areas, and suggest missing details
An important part of the selection process is negotiating with the EHR vendor. Here, established relationships are important to getting the best value for the physician. Here, the number of clients the consultant has served may serve to estimate the quality of relationships the consultant has with EHR vendors.
- Discloses biases about EHR selection process
Every consultant has some biases when recommending EHR vendors. Understanding these biases before engaging in the selection process is most beneficial. A written disclosure of financial relationships with EHR vendors is requested since many consultants may have vendor consulting contracts and directed clients.
- Service agreement includes completion of EHR selection
Clients who have engaged with EHR selection consultants should be guaranteed the selection process shall be thorough and complete.
- Experience with cardiology specialists
Specialist needs differ from general practitioners; therefore consultants should have knowledge of working with the specific needs of specialists.
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