5 EHR Optimization Strategies for Maximizing Efficiency and Productivity
In healthcare, every second counts. Electronic health record (EHR) systems are at the h...
April 6, 2020
For any specialty, there exists a unique workflow and list of tools that help you work at your highest level of efficiency while delivering the best care possible. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all Electronic Health Record that will work for any specialist who chooses to use it. When specialists try to use this kind of software, they will only find themselves frustrated and without what they need to do their job effectively.
A specialty EHR, built and tailored with your specific specialty and practice in mind will increase staff productivity while also reducing the frustrations associated with the use of technology.
6 Efficiency Features of a Specialty EHR:
1) Availability of Information
With a fully integrated Specialty EHR, providers can increase the availability of information across the members and staff of their practice. What does this mean? This means that rather than having to scroll and sift through patient information, providers can open a patient’s chart and know exactly where the data they need is located. Through a specialty EHR customized interface, each member of your practice can quickly access and analyze data to increase productivity.
2) Improved Practice Management
Through unique scheduling features and patient reminders, your staff can refocus their attention on more patient-critical tasks. A specialty EHR should offer your practice digital and automated scheduling options that keep your staff off of the phone and focused on the most important aspects of their job.
Your specialty EHR should be fully integrated with a quality patient portal and practice management solution so that your patients can easily schedule their visits online. After their visit is scheduled, your EHR should offer automated reminders that keep the patients on track to make their visit while increasing staff productivity.
3) Quicker Intake Process
A specialty EHR can also tailor and simplify your intake process so that patients spend less time filling out paper forms in office and more time with their provider. Digital intake eliminates the paper intake process by making it possible for your patients to complete forms from home and on their patient portal.
This feature allows the patient to take their time filling out their forms without feeling rushed or impacting wait times. Your practice will also spend less money on printing these documents as they are uploaded directly into the patient’s chart with the right specialty EHR software.
4) Eliminate Transcription
Another downfall of the paper intake process that slows down your staff and decreases the accuracy of patient data is the transcription process. In the past, your staff had to manually transcribe patient data collected at intake into their chart so that the provider could access it.
Digital intake with a specialty EHR eliminates the transcription process. This makes the most updated patient information accessible in the patient’s chart from the start of the visit. This also improves the integrity of the data by eliminating transcription mistakes caused by illegible handwriting and human error.
5) Enhanced Information Sharing
Your specialty EHR should also be an interoperable solution that makes it possible for you to easily share and collect information for other providers the patient is seeing. With a few clicks, a provider can download a patient’s chart and have access to a comprehensive list of data that helps them offer better care. This feature also helps decrease the need for repeat testing and imaging so that that your patients do not have to pay for a multiple of the same test and your staff can treat them more efficiently.
To learn how your practice can implement a time-efficient specialty EHR, click here.