Achieving ROI with EMR
Seven-Provider Practice Saves Around $200,000/year with EMR System
Glynn Medical Associates
Brunswick, Ga.
Glynn Medical Associates, comprised of four internists, two rheumatologists
and a physician’s assistant, began using eClinicalWorks integrated EMR/PM
system in February 2005 with every provider using the system as of the first
day. Glynn had decided that maintaining dual systems and “phasing in” would
defeat the purpose of changing from paper to EMR.
The first three months of going paperless were stressful; however, returns
have proven the transition well worth it, with the practice saving
approximately/conservatively $200,000/year. Also, one physician in the
practice is seeing 33 percent more patients daily with the EMR system with
increased patient satisfaction. Some of the quantitative benefits Glynn has
received include:
$120,000 of annual transcription costs disappeared almost immediately. Glynn
has allowed attrition to reduce medical records personnel from 4.5 people to
two at a conservative estimated savings of $50,000. Attrition has permitted
the billing department to decrease from 5.5 people to three at an estimated
savings of $50,000. With 500 charts a day not being transported and the
diminution in personnel, Glynn realized that it had more space than needed.
It downsized from 14,000 to 11,500 square feet, saving $47,500 per year.
Some of these savings may be used by IT for now. “Changing to an EMR system
and making the office paperless required a significant learning curve but
was well worth the effort,” says Dr. Erick Bournigal. “Aside from the
financial rewards, there is the ability to work from home, to review labs,
catch up on notes, access notes from the hospital that improve our quality
of life and contribute to better patient care."
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