One of the primary concerns for practices implementing an EHR system is the impact the technology will have on the office's workflow. To be sure, changing systems can lead to significant alterations in a practice's processes, but when the transition is handled appropriately and physicians take the time to find the right vendor, the switch can be less painful.

Such was the experience of OrthoArkansas, a three-office orthopedic surgery provider. Officials said that physicians were hesitant to transition to EHRs, even in spite the substantial incentives payments available from the federal government for doing so. However, after selecting the vendor SRS, these concerns were allayed.

"Initially, our physicians had concerns about pursuing meaningful use because they feared the negative impact it would have on their productivity - then we saw the SRS approach to meaningful use and our outlook changed," said Bill Greene, CEO of OrthoArkansas.

Fears over an EHR system's impact on productivity are among the top reasons practices list for delaying their transition. However, by researching vendors and identifying the one that best suits their needs, medical offices may be able to successfully implement the technology without disrupting their practice.