There are many benefits of using an online Clinical Information Management and Reporting system (Electronic Medical Records) – such as HealthTrack. ‘Going Paperless‘ is one major benefit with a multitude of associated cost savings, however there are many other benefits associated with improved patient care and enhanced service to the practices or hospital.
By-pass paper entirely – Capture Information Electronically
HealthTrack can accept many data files directly into the system, including pathology results etc. Documents can even be imported and stored directly in the patients record for instant access. Files are indexed and searchable, stored in a central location and are available for retrieval by all staff simultaneously from any location.
Quality of Care
HealthTrack’s online solution provides instant access to patient records to streamline the patient arrival and transition process through the practice/unit. Accurate, easily accessed records improve communication between administration staff, the patient and the doctors/specialists. Better medical and patient management decisions are made quicker.
Increased Practice Efficiency
HealthTrack makes managing multiple calendars and templates with patient appointments and modifications easy – it automates the arrival and transition process within the practice/unit delivering significant improvements in efficiency and patient throughput. Patients receive more rapid attention and better care, due to a streamlined and more efficient process.
Improved Claim Submission Process
HealthTrack electronic codes and automates generation of ‘quick bills’ to speed up the exit process for the patient and administration staff. Automatic submission of Medicare or private insurance claims, along with required medical billing documents enables the practice/unit to get paid faster.
Smart Text
The built-in ‘Smart Text’ functions of HealthTrack allow doctors and administrators to radically reduce the amount of time it takes to create notes, letters, referrals etc. by using pre-coded ‘snippets’ of text or unique codes for entire strings of text.
Accuracy and Legibility of Notes
Physicians and administration enter all data online, in one location – removing the complexities and errors associated with trying to decipher various handwriting styles.
Accessibility of Charts
All patient ‘charts’ are now stored electronically in HealthTrack. They are fully indexed and easily searchable by multiple identifiers. No more reliance on post-it notes, word or excel documents – or searching the entire building for a lost paper chart.
Multiple Users accessing a Chart Simultaneously
Most online programs support multiple users accessing a chart at the same time. Some systems also allow multiple people to make changes to chart notes simultaneously.
Transcription Costs Savings
HealthTrack automates letter construction to facilitate online review and modification of documents – many users save significant costs associated with transcription processes through implementing an online records management system.
Reduce unnecessary postal mail or faxes
HealthTrack is integrated with both email and electronic fax capabilities helping you to further reduce costs associated with postal mailing and even paper faxes.
Integrated Pathology and other Lab Results
Most online systems allow pathology request and results to be fully integrated and results automatically uploaded into the patient record. This make it easier for the physician to receive, review and track all data critical to improved patient management.
Electronic Medication Management
Medication can be subscribed and either sent electronically or printed out to avoid problems of legibility by the pharmacy receiving the script.
Drug to Drug Interaction Checking
HealthTrack provides a database of Drug to Drug interactions and Drug to allergy Interactions when writing a prescription.
Spell check
HealthTrack software includes a comprehensive medical dictionary and a spell checker to ensure accuracy of letters, referrals and scripts. This saves significant time in proofreading and approving.
Disaster Recovery
Depending on your electronic backup schedule, you can store a copy of your data in multiple locations for better disaster recovery. HealthTrack also allows physicians to take a ‘portable’ copy of their entire database with them as they visit remote locations. In the event of an emergency, would you be able to carry a room full of charts with you?
Save Trees and the Environment
You may not be able to completely eliminate your use of paper, but HealthTrack will definitely help you to significantly reduce the amount of paper/charts you use in your practice.
Space Savings
Many HealthTrack users have been able to save space where they’d normally be storing massive filing systems or racks of paper charts.
Potential to Reduce Staff
HealthTrack can help an organization to reduce administration staff – if required. While this almost never happens immediately, (as staff will initially be freed up to focus on other clerical/administrative functions) – over time, the efficient usage of HealthTrack will allow for natural attrition of employees – or at least allow the practice to grow without also incurring unnecessary growth in administrative and records staff.