Patients now use wearables to help them track metrics and manage their health, but collecting that information and putting it to use remains a necessary step in effective care delivery.
According to a Medical Group Management Association survey of 1,104 clinicians, 35 percent said they would prescribe consumer wearables if an EHR could integrate the data. In fact, 6 percent said they already do.
However, before organizations jump to these new sources of patient data collection, issues like reliable data quality, security risks and interoperability must be taken into consideration.
Here are 10 tips for incorporating patient data from wearables into an EHR, according to the MGMA.
1. Decide whether or not your patient population would benefit from such integration
2. Discuss availability and cost with your EHR vendor
3. Consider targeting certain patient groups
4. Determine the potential implications on clinical workflows
5. Review care coordination
6. Leverage wearables when participating in CMS' Merit-based Incentive Payment System with 2015 Edition Certified EHR Technology
7. Test the reliability of the data
8. Recognize and address security risks
9. Engage your patients
10. Market the capabilities
More articles on health IT:
Survey: Only 1 in 4 providers strongly agree EHRs prepared them for new healthcare economy
Thomas Health System cuts 10 employees in consolidation effort