TransforMED, Welch Allyn Partner to Offer EHR Selection Program

The AAFP's TransforMED and medical diagnostic equipment manufacturer Welch Allyn recently announced the launch of Welch Allyn's first professional consulting program, dubbed EHR Preparation and Selection Services, or EHR Prep-Select. The program is designed to help physicians prepare for, evaluate and select the most appropriate electronic health record, or EHR, for their practices.

According to TransforMED's President and CEO Terry McGeeney, M.D., M.B.A, Welch Allyn sought out the partnership because of TransforMED's experience working with physician practices. The company was looking for "that on-the-ground, real-world perspective," said McGeeney. TransforMED is a wholly owned subsidiary of the AAFP whose focus is helping primary care practices become patient-centered medical homes. Part of that process includes appropriate use of EHRs.

In turn, said McGeeney, the Welch Allyn program offers physician practices a higher level of technology consultation than TransforMED's facilitators usually can provide. "We've got a certain amount of expertise, but this (partnership) is kicking it up a notch," he said.

McGeeney noted that small family medicine practices stand to benefit the most from the new partnership because a small, upfront investment in the Welch Allyn product will help physicians get the right size and the right fit in what generally is considered a costly investment. Practices -- particularly small and solo physician practices -- often overbuy and underimplement when it comes to EHRs, said McGeeney. "Those practices are spending a lot more money than they need to."

According to Welch Allyn's Jay Mangicaro, senior category manager for integrated partners, many physicians underestimate the time and energy required to prepare for an EHR purchase. In fact, he told AAFP News Now, many practices ignore a whole series of decisions needed to help lay the groundwork for a successful EHR evaluation and selection process. "If you prepare properly, then the selection process becomes almost like following a recipe."

An announcement on the TransforMED Web site notes that EHR Prep-Select is available at three different levels:

Welch Allyn is offering AAFP members a $100 discount on the Prep-Select program level and a 5 percent discount on the other two program levels.

Members interesting in implementing an EHR system also can use the resources provided by the AAFP's Center for Health IT. Among other tools, the center's Web site features nearly 500 member-submitted product reviews on nearly 50 EHR products.

"The Center (for Health IT) offers a good first stop," said McGeeney, "and for some practices that may be enough." But the Welch Allyn experience offers more in-depth services, he added.