As frequently as we discuss the shift to chiropractic EHR, there is another transition that has many physicians quaking in their boots — the introduction of ICD-10. Healthcare professionals have used the same coding system for more than 30 years, and though the new revision promises to enhance the degree of detail and general clarity of medical records, its onset will inevitably include some growing pains.

ICD-10 will take effect on October 1, 2014, but EHR Intelligence notes that physicians must not fixate on this date alone, but how their practices can and will be altered by the change going forward. Physicians who begin to ask themselves how they plan to harness the benefits of ICD-10 will be in the best position to draw new patients and further streamline their practices in an increasingly competitive and costly healthcare system.

"Medical practitioners haven't had the time to sit back and let the dust settle and consider how [ICD-10] actually changing operations in their facilities," explained JaeLynn Williams, Senior VP of Client Operations at global tech conglomerate 3M, in an interview with the source. "'What can I do today that I couldn't do before?' They have to ask that question now."

Williams argues that the games will begin on October 2, 2014, when physicians across the board will presumably be on board with this coding system. Do you have a plan of action in place to make the most of ICD-10 right off the bat? 

Of course, it's perfectly understandable to be fixated on the minute details of compliance requirements, particularly if you are working with chiropractic EHR software that isn't equipped to manage this shift. To ease some of this burden and free you to see the bigger picture of ICD-10 implementation, consider investing in a program that can help you come to grips with this coding rather than hinder you.