Nextrio Medical: Expertise

Nextrio Understands the Big Picture

For seven years, the experts at Nextrio have helped hundreds of Tucson businesses with their computer needs. Whether you are a small practice with two doctors or a 10-provider, multi-location clinic, our 20+ computer engineers and network administrators can help.

We understand the big picture of your EMR implementation. In fact, we drew it.

Our clients suggested we document the process to help the “uninitiated” practice manager find their way. Check out this overview of the roles and responsibilities that IT resources, practice management and EMR vendors play in a well-managed project.

Best Practices for EMR Project Management PDF

Case Study

Challenge:
A local dermatologist decided to conquer the deluge of paperwork constantly facing his Arizona-based practice. With 4 doctors, 2 physician assistants and 10 staff members, the daily onslaught of dealing with charts, transcriptions, referral letters, insurance papers and claim forms was overwhelming for everyone.

Their practice manager had great concerns about the security of paper in light of the impending HIPAA regulations. "I knew that a successful solution would quickly start to pay for itself by simplifying the authorization and billing process and decreasing the collections time." The time was right to implement a paperless office and increase the profitability of the practice.

Solution:
With the help of the IT consultants at Nextrio, the dermatology practice purchased NextGen Electronic Practice Management and Electronic Medical Records software. Since transitioning to NextGen, the staff can’t imagine life without an automated system. "The computing environment prior to this application was virtually non-existent. Records were kept on pieces of paper and filed away. Retrieval and analysis of the data was tedious and time consuming."

Before the project could begin, the practice needed a complete technology overhaul. First, Nextrio worked with a local wireless Internet service provider to upgrade the practice to an always-on broadband Internet connection. Before implementing NextGen's system, Nextrio built a local area network from the ground-up, installing almost a dozen new desktop PCs, a high-powered server and other network peripherals. Using Microsoft Small Business Server 2003, the practice implemented its first central file and print server. Also new to the practice was internal e-mail, accomplished with MS Exchange Server. Microsoft SQL Server was also configured to support the NextGen software requirements.

In addition to the requirements for the application, Nextrio built a solid foundation for the network, installing a backup solution, anti-virus software, configuring network security on the firewall and deploying a point-of-sale system for the cosmetic products sold by the staff.