Migrating to EHR? Make the Process Simple with a Data Entry Company
Managed Outsource Solutions
Electronic health records can help improve medical record administration and enhance the quality of patient care, provided the system is implemented efficiently and functions smoothly. The new system is an entirely new way of documenting patient encounters and details, and many physicians find it difficult to make the transition. Even with the $1.2 billion available to support physicians in installing and using electronic health records, providers are slow to adopt an EHR system for their practices. This is especially so in smaller to mid-sized practices. Surveys and studies show that even those physicians who were initially eager to implement and use the EHR system, gradually started to find their interest waning. While 62% of physicians were satisfied/very satisfied with their electronic health record system in 2010, in 2014 just 34% expressed satisfaction as per a survey from American EHR partners and the AMA (American Medical Association). In 2014, 54% of physicians said they were unhappy with their system. One of the reasons for this reduced enthusiasm is the time and labor involved in the data entry process.
Physicians were unhappy with their EHR due to the following reasons: EHRs did not reduce the workload It involved higher operating cost Not user friendly and badly integrated
Physicians are not technophobes or skilled experts. With an EHR system, they have to spend more time processing data rather than treating their patients. The survey suggested that physician satisfaction with EHR may increase with longer use of the system – only 25% of those with 3 years or less experience with their software
www.managedoutsource.com
800-670-2809
expressed satisfaction while 50% of those with more than 5 years’ experience were happy with their EHR.
Ensuring Successful Migration to an EHR System
Given that documenting patient details can be rather challenging, and without inhouse staff or the time to digitize existing patient records, physicians may find themselves functioning in a hybrid environment comprising both paper and electronic records. In such a situation, they cannot exploit all the benefits offered by electronic health records. This is when data entry services become helpful.
Physicians can choose to partner with a healthcare process outsourcing company to ensure that all paper records, back files as well as day forward records are digitized in a timely manner. A reliable service provider with experience in document conversion will help physicians manage all patient data in perfect compliance with federal mandates and standards. Small to mid-sized practices that don’t want to invest in workstations and scanners and bear the related maintenance expenses will benefit by outsourcing. They can choose to work with a service provider that is platform independent and vendor agnostic so that their specific needs as regards an EHR system and other requirements are competently met.
Here are some of the major benefits of partnering with a data entry company. ďƒ˜ Trained experts and staffs, and the use of the latest technology ensure efficient patient record management. It helps in managing the data entry process while the medical staff can engage more in patient-centred activities.
www.managedoutsource.com
800-670-2809
ďƒ˜ Details such as treatment given, patient histories and other details are all consolidated in a user-friendly way; billing staff are ensured instant access to these details. ďƒ˜ Administrative burden is reduced considerably for doctors and medical staff. Patients are also benefited as their follow-ups are all available on an electronic medium which can be accessed from anywhere. ďƒ˜ Sensitive healthcare data is protected in keeping with HIPAA guidelines via unique security and audit controls.
Outsourcing offers the benefits of dedicated resources, expertise, cost reduction and process improvement. Apart from this, the particular needs of each practice are efficiently met and the best practices are utilized to ensure a successful transition.
www.managedoutsource.com
800-670-2809