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If you’re in the market for a new electronic medical record (EMR) system, you may be wondering whether to choose abstraction or data migration. There are several situations that call for needing EMR replacement, including:
In any of these cases, it’s important to carefully consider your options for EMR replacement. Abstraction and data migration are two common approaches, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a look at how they compare.
Electronic medical record data migrations involve moving your EMR data from your current EMR system to a new EMR system. This can be done manually, but is often done with the help of specialized systems (including Two Point’s proprietary ACERT™ software). A significant advantage of healthcare data migration is that it preserves all of your EMR data from the past year. When it comes to patient safety, compliance concerns, and general peace of mind, this is incredibly powerful.
It also poses the advantage of being less disruptive to your practice, since you can continue using your current EMR system until the new EMR system is up and running. Data migration can be a good option if you’re happy with your current EMR system, but it’s no longer supported by the vendor, or if you’re switching to a new EMR system that uses a different database structure.
In the case of EMR data abstraction, particular data is manually entered from your current EMR system into the new EMR system. This can be a time-consuming process, and it can also be more prone to human error. However, data abstraction can be particularly useful for correcting errors or omissions and only abstracting essential data rather than all data.
Data abstraction is often used when switching to a new EMR system that uses the same database structure as your current EMR system. Abstraction can be used in cases where only some data needs to be transferred to the new EMR system. This includes when you’re changing practices or locations.
So, which is right for you?
Let’s consider the primary differences between abstraction versus data migration for electronic medical record replacement to help you determine the best option for your organization:
The best option for EMR replacement will depend on your specific situation. If you’re happy with your current EMR system but it’s no longer supported by the vendor? Then data migration can be a good option. Clinicians may see data abstraction as a plausible option to select specific data from the legacy EMR to transfer to the new EMR but if manual entry is not an option based on timing and human error, working with a specialized data management company such as Two Point will allow you the benefits of both options.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to a number of factors. These include the needs of your practice, the amount of data that needs to be transferred, and the amount of disruption you’re willing to tolerate during the EMR replacement process. Whichever option you choose, taking the time to carefully consider your options and plan for a smooth transition will help ensure a successful EMR replacement.
In many cases, the best solution involves a combination of EMR abstraction and data migration. That’s because data abstraction can be used to correct errors or omissions in your EMR data, while data migration can be used to quickly and easily transfer all of your EMR data to the new system.
Clinicians should be engaged in EMR replacement conversations and decisions from the beginning. Their involvement will help to ensure EMR data is accurately transferred to the new system, and that any disruptions to workflow are minimized.
With clinician input and guidance, a decision can be made that benefits the healthcare organization today and into the future.
Next, let’s consider what the ETL process for data migration looks like to offer a better idea of what to expect if you choose this option.
The ETL (extract, transform, load) process for data migration includes the following steps:
Whichever path you take, working with trusted and experienced EMR replacement abstraction and migration services is essential. The team at Two Point Solutions has the knowledge and experience to help you plan and execute a successful EMR replacement. We can help you choose the right solution for your practice, extract and transform your data, and load it into your new EMR system. Contact us today to learn more about our EMR replacement abstraction and migration services.