#9, 10 - Critical EHR Questions

9. Can I see how it works?

Why you need to know: In addition to checking for references, you also should take the EHR system out for a test drive. Don't look only at the vendor's demo. It's better to see a practice similar in size and specialty using it in a patient encounter, says Fireman. "See it from a user perspective, not a vendor perspective," he suggests.

10. Is the vendor a good long-term partner?

Why you need to know: One question to ask initially is whether the EHR is certified by one of the approved certifying agencies for Meaningful Use. If the EHR system is not certified for the current Stage 1 Meaningful Use standards, it doesn't meet the threshold for qualifying for the incentive payments and is not worth your time, Christine Kelly, president of CMK Consulting in Baltimore, tells FiercePracticeManagement.

But as the Meaningful Use criteria move into Stages 2 and 3, the EHR will need to be upgraded accordingly to remain certified, says Michael Nolte, vice president and general manager for consulting giant GE Health Care IT. That means you want to choose a vendor that is financially stable, committed to upgrading its product to meet Meaningful Use requirements, and will be around for years to come.