Software and application are a very useful and effective tool in managing any kind of health care service. These programs make it easier for both the employees and the patience to access and manage sensitive health records. Here some ideas of the top areas where software can benefit your business and level of care that you offer.
Virtual Records
Instead of keeping paper copies of records that need to be maintained and kept in a secure file room, consider going virtual with your patient records. EPCR software is a wonderful example of the type of software that you could use in this area.
It is much easier for everyone involved to work with patient records in a virtual platform. This makes it simple for providers to pull up at any time any place. When a patient comes in for an appointment, their past records can be scanned to determine what progress has been made, and if there are any areas of concern that need special attention.
These records can be updated during the appointment to incorporate patient feedback and accurately capture the relevant information. Fewer errors take place and vital information isn’t left out as often when record updates and adjustments are done immediately.
Another benefit of virtual records is that they can be viewed by several different people throughout your facility at the same time without having a messenger bring the physical records. The provider simply needs to access the system that holds the records. This is also a better way to secure the privacy of these records since there’s no physical copy to be left out by accident and seen by someone who should not have access to the information.
Going virtual with patient information will free up space in your facility that can be used to expand your practice. File rooms take up a lot of space and can be difficult to keep up to date. There is always the chance that a file will be lost or not returned to the proper place, causing delays and confusion. Virtual records will eliminate this possibility.
Patient Portal
When you keep all of your patient’s medical history and personal information in a virtual form, you can also easily extend access to the patients. You may choose to set up a portal on your website where they can create an account and log in to gain access to any test results that they want to review or print a copy of to take to another provider that is involved in their care.
This is a safe and secure way for them to get this information at any time that they need it, without having to come into your facility and create more work for your busy employees, or wait until someone has time to access and copy the information that they need.
Scheduling
A doctor’s office or hospital is always busy so an electronic means of scheduling is an absolute must. Patients frequently have the need to switch or reschedule an appointment, which can be tricky to keep up with on a paper calendar. Too many changes make the data hard to read and can lead to confusion.
A digital scheduling tool allows you to easily change out information and update names and addresses as needed. Scheduling tools are very user friendly and anyone can learn how to manage them. This will save a lot of time and mess. All approved employees can simply log in to the scheduler as needed to verify open slots from multiple locations. This keeps the information accurate and up to date so you don’t have any scheduling conflicts or overbookings.
Similar to scheduling, a dispatching service would be useful if you have an ambulance to track or any vehicles that go out to provide in-home care or transport patients to and from appointments. It will help you to know where your vehicles are at every given moment so that you can plan future needs accordingly.
Customer Service
It’s a great idea to have a website or an online interactive interface where customers can go to get the basic information about your facility. You can provide answers to frequently asked questions about your office and providers such as your contact information, hours of operation, and any closures due to holidays or inclement weather.
Customers will appreciate that they can get answers to their simple questions in a convenient and quick manner. It’s less time consuming for both parties.
Your website should also clearly explain all services that you offer and have an introduction to all providers. This allows patients to do some research and become familiar with what to expect so they are better prepared when they come in for their appointment.
Billing
Billing is another area where software is useful. A software program for billing can help keep track of different services and the cost and any relevant codes that are attached to them. This makes the process more efficient and easier to understand. The billing clerks can then process more records in a timely manner and have a better system for finding and relaying requested information to patients so they can answer questions and evaluation concerns.
Pharmacy
Having an onsite pharmacy with virtual software is a plus and should be taken into consideration. A virtual system to monitor inventory and provide alerts when supplies are low, or even automatically place an order, will be helpful for your employees.It’s also a great way to streamline the process of entering and filling prescriptions.
Telehealth
Something that has become more popular lately is telehealth. This is a good alternative to have available for patients. They can contact and interact with their healthcare provider without ever leaving their home if this is unsafe or difficult for them to do. Having the right platform to meet with them face-to-face through video calls is important so that you can speak with them and get a good sense of their current condition.
These are just a few examples of the way that software can improve and transform the healthcare industry. It’s a fantastic way to provide better care and make things easier for all parties involved.
