Today, the push for the healthcare industry to make the switch from paper to electronic health records (EHR), combined with the rapid evolution of medical technology, have made practice management software an extremely popular product among doctors of all stripes, especially chiropractic. Such systems not only provide for the digitization and secure storage of patient records, but many of the best systems will manage nearly every facet of your practice, including scheduling, billing, documentation, patient flow, treatment plans, and much more.

Depending on which company you go with for your software needs, you now have the option of buying a basic system just to make the switch to EHR, or you can invest in a suite of software applications that will enhance numerous aspects of your practice using top-of-the-line technology. For those DCs who are interested in purchasing the most extensive practice management software available today, there are few systems offering features and applications that rise above and beyond what you'd consider typical practice management resources and make your practice truly state of the art.

These premium software systems not only provide you with the full suite of traditional practice management tools, but they offer some amazing new functions that will maximize your practice's efficiency, wow your patients, and make your competitors green with envy. One of the most popular of these high-tech applications is an automated patient check-in system, and this article will briefly detail how this feature can take your software system—and your practice—to the next level. Check back to read about other advanced software applications in future articles.

Automated check-in systems, also known as sign-in programs, work to automatically check in and process your

patients using highly advanced, interactive computer programs. These systems will help expedite your patient flow, significantly reduce the work for your front desk staff, and even help speed up your diagnosis and treatment. 

When patients enter your office, instead of signing in manually at the front desk, they go to a computer and sign in securely using one of several options: PIN codes, fingerprint scanner, barcode, swipe card, or electronic signature. This check-in program can be linked directly to their patient accounts for easier billing and reference, and if the patient has an outstanding issue, the computer will direct patients to the front desk for further help. If the patient's account is up-to date, the check-in system then directs them to either to a waiting area or to their assigned treatment room.

In addition to these services, automated check-in systems also have the capability to obtain a brief subjective analysis from the patient describing the medical reasons for their current visit. The system captures this information using an interactive touch screen with diagrams of the human body that allow the patient to describe their condition, its frequency, and comment on the levels of discomfort it may be causing. By gathering this patient information at this stage, the DC will already have fairly detailed knowledge of the issue the patient is presenting, which saves time and allows the doctor to analyze the patient conditions before even seeing them.

 

Chris Towery is the former associate editor of MASSAGE Magazine and is currently a full-time freelance journalist. He has written hundreds of articles for more than 20 different magazines, newspapers, and custom publishers. Much of his recent writing has been for the complementary and alternative healthcare industry. To contact Chris, email cmreuben@yahoo.com.