As is common with so many college freshmen, Ralph Hendrix was struggling with school and uncertain about his career direction. It was his second semester at Clemson University, and as fate would have it, he discovered he was nearsighted. Ralph soon found himself with his first pair of glasses and new direction and focus for his career.
After graduating from Clemson, Ralph went on to Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, where he became Dr. Hendrix in 1972. He entered a partner practice for seven years. In 1979 he bought a practice in Red Springs, NC. Today, he continues to practice there, as well as in nearby Pinehurst.
We recently talked to Dr. Hendrix about using RevolutionEHR in his pursuit to achieve meaningful use.
When and how did you become a RevolutionEHR user?
“About seven years ago, I began using EMR when it was obvious that was going to be the future. Then when Meaningful Use came along, I realized how difficult my current system was going to be in achieving that, since it wasn’t geared specifically toward optometry. My son, also an O.D, knew Dr. Scott Jens and he recommended I look into RevolutionEHR. I did and we got going in April of 2010. I found it to be simple to use and well laid-out.”
What motivated you to work towards achieving Meaningful Use?
“I wanted to be on the leading edge with Meaningful Use – rather than a follower. I preferred to be a part of the process of Meaningful Use being developed than to wait for years and find I’m starting cold. Besides, at the end of the day, it really came down to a simple business question. If you have to do it eventually and you’re going to be around for a while – if someone is going to pay you to do it now, why wouldn’t you do that?”
When did you begin the process, and how did you get started?
“Scott laid the process out so simply for us that it was easy to start planning in the summer of 2011. We started the actual process in September of 2011 and attested on December 13, 2011.”
What resources did you depend on to support your efforts?
“I didn’t really need resources because Scott had the process laid out. The website was a huge resource. The Quest to Attest Facebook page was great – it is the only Facebook page I have ever looked at. If you use the scorecard, the process is simple.”
Dr. Hendrix encourages staying involved in the Facebook page, studying the resources on the RevolutionEHR Meaningful Use web page (www.revolutionehr.com/meaningful-use/ ), and checking the scorecard frequently. He encourages the other members of his optometry society to take a close look at RevolutionEHR and says that he gets calls from others to help them with Meaningful Use.
How did the process affect your staff?
“Our techs were already familiar with an EMR from our earlier software, so that was very simple. Our front office and optical staff struggled a bit with the adjustment to RevolutionEHR, but that was largely based on having older technology and a staff who were not as computer literate as some. Both RevolutionEHR and our staff have made progress in the two years, so if we went through it now, it would be far easier.”
Dr. Hendrix also pointed out that he continues to print and post the scorecard every week so that staff can stay current on an ongoing basis.
What makes RevolutionEHR different?
“There are systems designed by computer guys for eye doctors, but RevolutionEHR is designed by eye doctors with the help of computer guys. I’ve seen other solutions and they have a lot of nonsensical things in the system; obviously, doctors were not consulted in the design.”
In addition, he feels RevolutionEHR makes good financial sense. The entry cost is low and ongoing fees are competitive with other vendors.
“The best thing from a business standpoint is that you’re not into a $30,000 investment just to get started. The other vendors don’t have to produce – they already have our money!”
Is there anything else you would like to share with the RevolutionEHR community?
“If you want to look out after your colleagues, recommending they consider RevolutionEHR is one of the biggest things you can do for them. It will make their lives so much easier.
“When I get on the Facebook page, I notice that some of our doctors seem reluctant to develop their pathology practices. My pathology practice was 0% in 1979 when I came to Red Springs. Now it constitutes 65% of my patient visits. Eye exams and optical go up and down with the economy. Pathology is steady no matter what the economy does. It pays the bills.
“The ePrescribe is remarkably simple. RxNT was a wonderful choice. Scott and staff make integration choices based on what is going to be easiest for the doctors, not just what is going to save (or make) the most money.
“We are going to start getting a real nice ROI on line item posting via Trizetto. Our billing costs are going to go way, way down. Again, that is a great return that a RevolutionEHR integration decision will benefit us as doctors. It’s a win-win for RevolutionEHR and us.
“I’m so thrilled I made the decision two years ago. It is such a great system; people really need to use it. The more people use it, the better it will be for everyone.”
Dr. Hendrix specializes in geriatric and family optometry and is a member of the American Optometric Association, North Carolina State Optometric Society, Sandhills District Optometric Society, and the Southport Retinal Society.
