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EMR Replacement: Abstraction or Data Migration?
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:
- Your EMR system is no longer supported by the vendor
- You’re unsatisfied with your current EMR system
- Your EMR system isn’t meeting the needs of your practice
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.
What Is EMR Data Migration?
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.
What Is EMR Data Abstraction?
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?
The Key Differences Between Data Abstraction And Data Migration
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:
- Data migration can be done automatically with specialized software, while data abstraction must be done manually.
- Depending on the amount of data being moved, data abstraction typically takes longer than data migration.
- With data migration, EMR data is transferred to the new system. With data abstraction, only selected data is transferred. In both cases, only one year of data will be accepted by the new EMR vendor which is worth noting.
- Data migration is less disruptive to your practice since you can continue using your current EMR system until the new EMR system is in place. Data abstraction requires manual entry of EMR data into the new EMR system and can be disruptive to your practice. Generally, however, EMR abstraction begins and continues before and after the system go-live, which can lead to misinformation with not all data being present once the new system is activated.
What Is The Best Option?
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.
The Clinical Prospective On When Data Abstraction Is Needed Versus Data Migration
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.
ETL Process For Data Migration
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:
- Extract data from the source EMR system. The extract phase is the first step in migrating EMR data to a new system. This phase involves extracting data from the source EMR system and exporting it to a file or database. The data can be exported in its native format or transformed into a different format, such as XML or CSV.
- Transform the data to match the structure of the target EMR system. The transform phase is the second step in migrating EMR data to a new system. This phase involves transforming the data to match the structure of the target EMR system. The data can be transformed manually or using ETL software.
- Load the data into the target EMR system. Once the data is exported, it can be imported into the target EMR system. The data will need to be transformed to match the structure of the target EMR system. This can be done manually or with specialized software.
- Verify that the data was transferred correctly. Once the data is in the target EMR system, it can be verified for accuracy. This is usually done by comparing a sample of data from the source EMR system to the corresponding data in the target EMR system.
- Perform final cleanup and testing. After verifying that the data was transferred correctly, final cleanup and testing can be performed. This might include deleting old data from the source EMR system or running reports to ensure all data was migrated correctly.
EMR Replacement Abstraction & Migration Services
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.
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