Article written by Stephanie Onofri
When a Medical provider first explores the vast myriad of software solutions for health records management available on the market today, it becomes clear that there is more to the subject of automation than meets the eye. Most newcomers to document automation tend to think that it’s mostly about scanning, capturing and converting patient records to electronic format for easier storage, access and retrieval. This process alone cuts Hospital costs exponentially, and helps provide patients with better, faster, and less accident-prone care.
These initial benefits are so appealing that the next question on the lips medical providers tends to be “What more can Automation do to improve the experience of our patients?”
A few of the solutions that are improving the experience of medical patients primarily concern the accuracy of data, and fast response to customer queries regarding payments medical records. In addition, trying to avoid crossing the thick web of compliance regulations set in place to avoid things like medical malpractice and infringement of HIPAA laws is not accomplished by simply scanning documents into an electronic records system.
Here are some secrets of the automation trade that help medical Industry leaders leverage their good assets and optimize departmental processes across the board, from Accounts Payable, to coordination with medical insurance providers, to the time spent with the patient in the room:
- Streamlining Processes through Workflow – Once health records are converted to electronic format, a document management system can effectively be tailored to streamline existing processes through workflow automation. For example, one particular workflow process that has been making headlines in AP departments in the medical field is 3-way matching automation. 3-Way matching bridges the gap between documents in Accounts Payable by matching data in all related documentation such as PO’s, payments, Invoices, and the like.
- Automated Audit and Security controls – Since document uploading and conversion effectively eliminates the need for manual data entry, human errors are avoided and the system can actually detect discrepancies throughout related documentation data. And at any point in a document process, data is audited for errors which would otherwise take considerable time to fix through manual means. In addition, security controls allow only authorized parties to view documentation at any given time, reducing the risk of compliance and HIPAA infringements.
- Instant Mobile Access – One of newest feature in document automation is the compatibility of document management systems with mobile devices such as iPhones, Androids, iPads, and Tablets. Through mobile access, even if medical department personnel or a physician is off site, they can still upload, update, edit, approve, access, and store documentation from their location. This increases the level of accessibility and accountability to ensure better patient care.
Smart and successful medical providers across the board have incorporated document management systems that serve their enterprise most efficiently and cost -effectively, reducing time spent on manual processes and increasing time invested in progress, patient care, and upward mobility. But the solutions vary from provider to provider.
