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Dr. Ajit Nemi Increases Efficiency and Saves Time by Switching to the Ophthalmology EHR System, EMA®

Published Date
Author Aaron Stoklosa

 

Case Study

The Goals

  • Increase efficiency with help from an ophthalmic EHR
  • Implement an EHR with a built-in system that supports ICD-10
  • Reduce time spent on data entry
  • Work with a progressive EHR vendor

Key Benefits Experienced

  • Ophthalmology electronic health records (EHR) system
  • Automated suggested billing codes help increase accuracy
  • Intuitive and customizable interface enhances workflow
  • Ease of note creation and electronic prescribing save time

Lotus Vision Benefits From Ophthalmology Software

 
 

“It took a few weeks to get a handle on the system, but my technician and I have become more efficient with creating and finishing notes. The available plans are detailed and fully customizable and I don’t have to do much data/text entry. I am actually able to leave the office earlier than I was able to before.”

‒ AJIT NEMI, MD, MBA

 

Background: Lotus Vision

Dr. Ajit Nemi, an ophthalmologist specializing in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery in Alpharetta, Georgia, first opened his clinic, Lotus Vision, in 2008 and began using a free EHR system that was provided to him. As the patient volume increased, Dr. Nemi quickly began to realize that this EHR system was only slowing him down because it was not ophthalmology-specific.

“As my practice continued to grow, I soon became tired of the heavy data/text entry that was required to create notes that were up to my expectations,” explained Dr. Nemi. “I found myself spending a significant amount of time after clinic finishing my notes for the day.”

The need for increased efficiency, combined with proactive consideration for an intuitive, built-in system for ICD-10, indicated to Dr. Nemi that the time was right to find an alternative solution that knew how ophthalmologists work with little set-up work for him and his practice. Plus, he only wanted to enter data once using the latest technology.

“I started researching ophthalmology EHR systems again and most left me underwhelmed based on the appearance of their outdated interfaces,” he said. “If I was going to switch to another system, I wanted to align myself with a company that is progressive in its thinking.” Through a suggestion from a colleague, Dr. Nemi began investigating Modernizing Medicine’s ophthalmic EHR system, EMA, and was instantly impressed. “I made the switch and could not be happier,” he said.

What is Your Time Worth?

“When I initially saw the slogan ‘What is Your Time Worth?’ at the end of the promotional video for EMA, it got me thinking,” Dr. Nemi said. Since implementing EMA in February 2014, he explains, “It took a few weeks to get a handle on the system, but my technician and I have become more efficient with creating and finishing notes. The available plans are detailed and fully customizable, and I don’t have to do much data/text entry. I am actually able to leave the office earlier than I was able to before.”

Intuitive and Adaptable Ophthalmology Technology

It was important to Dr. Nemi that his EHR system be ophthalmology-specific and automatically adapt to his style of practice. This type of intuitive technology enhances workflow. “I was immediately impressed with EMA’s native iPad interface,” said Dr. Nemi. “As a cornea, cataract and refractive surgeon, I appreciate the counseling information and treatment protocols for the diagnoses I most commonly encounter. I can create operative reports for anterior segment procedures with the touch of a button, eliminating the need to dictate reports over the phone. EMA also provides specific charting protocols for postoperative patients that allow me to complete notes efficiently while automatically generating suggested codes and modifiers for the post-op period. The intuitive nature of note creation and how it learned my practice habits – as well as the automated creation of suggested ophthalmology billing codes – was beyond anything I had ever seen.”

Dr. Nemi’s patients also appreciate that Lotus Vision is evolving with the latest technology. “My patients have taken notice that I am walking around with an iPad instead of a laptop and are impressed at how the practice is keeping up with the technology,” he said. “They also like the electronic consents and I rest assured knowing that it is automatically stored, as opposed to being scanned into the system.”

“My staff has enjoyed the ease of use as well. With the ‘glasses and contacts’ tab, they can easily print active glasses and contact prescriptions now, whereas before they would have to write it out and have me sign,” he explains. “Electronic prescribing is easier with EMA than with my old system.”

Efficiency Achieved With an Ophthalmology EHR

After realizing that the non-specialty-specific EHR system was only increasing his workload, Dr. Nemi is happy he made the change. “Overall I am excited about making the switch and highly recommend EMA to any colleague considering a new ophthalmology EHR system. I wish this had been available when I first opened my practice. EMA really has made clinic more enjoyable and efficient for me.”