Small practices are realizing the value of outside tech support

Large group practices have known the value of hiring in-house staff or outside vendors to support their electronic systems, including electronic medical records (EMRs). Because they have larger budgets, health-care technology consulting and services companies have catered to their needs. Now, small practices are getting into the game and are seeking support, as well.

"The cost of doing business and being completely electronic requires [hiring] an information technology consultant, because otherwise your practice processes are interrupted every time there's a glitch," Illinois-based Stasia Kahn, MD, told American Medical News (8/14/2006). Her three-physician internal medicine practice recently bought an EMR system and agreed to pay a monthly fee of $1,900 for tech support.

Obtaining tech support provides practices with the security that technical problems will be addressed and fixed immediately. Practices that are considering using tech support should carefully screen the IT vendors: