Practice Management Software

Using software correctly can help protect you against chiropractic malpractice, but you should also be aware of potential problems caused by misuse. When you document properly and verify that your software is installed and used correctly, practice management and EHR systems can keep your practice on-track. Bad EHR practices can result in malpractice lawsuits, so doing your due diligence is important. Reviewing your EHR and practice management systems may help you reduce your malpractice risks.

HIPAA’s Privacy Rule specifies that providers and clinics must protect their patients’ personal information and prevent unauthorized access to it. The HIPAA Safe Harbor is meant to provide guidance to providers on how to apply the Privacy Rule by de-identifying personal information so it can be safely used as a health data set. Applying Safe Harbor methods removes personally-identifying information and leaves behind a set of health stats that can be used in public health work and other situations where patient statistics are useful.

Smart watches are still relatively new, but a variety of applications are already available that may help you stay on track and complete your work. These apps help doctors stay organized, teach their patients about health and even access important reminders. Depending on the software system you use, limited EHR and PM functions are also available. In the future, more sophisticated watches may help your practice accomplish even more. Smart watches can help you stay aware of your schedule throughout the day and can bring up notifications for incoming phone calls and text messages.

Whether your practice is preparing to launch a new EHR platform or you’re in the midst of an implementation, you might have discovered you have some staff members that aren’t able to be trained. The reasons behind the decision to train or not train particular groups of employees vary widely. Some employees may have difficulty grasping new technologies. Their roles may be far removed from the EHR or PM system and its impact on the practice. Other team members might not be included in training sessions simply because there is a finite number of logins available within the system.

Shortcuts, workarounds, and other techniques can help practices become more efficient with their use of EHR and spend more time working with their patients. For many practices, EHR use requires a significant amount of providers’ time and can lengthen the workday. Speeding up EHR use without shortchanging patients or violating health IT regulations is possible with some creativity and flexibility. If you are looking for ways to use your EHR more efficiently, try these tips at your practice.

For clinics participating in the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) the 2016 deadline is March 13th, 2017. Participants who do not file their data by the deadline may receive lower payments from CMS in 2018, so clinics who use the Medicare EHR Incentive should do their own research to determine which requirements apply to them.

Online electronic health record (EHR) portals have been the focus of a love/hate relationship with patients and providers alike. Patients often love them because they provide anywhere, anytime access to health data and fit well into consumers’ increasingly mobile lifestyles. Chiropractors have also found the technology useful as a way to better engage with patients and provide information on demand without further stressing their already lean staffing resources. There are some downsides, though, and DCs should understand where pitfalls lurk in the EHR portal landscape.

Your EHR and practice management systems should evolve alongside chiropractic industry changes and new demands. Healthcare IT changes rapidly with new legislation, patient needs and new ways of offering healthcare services. If you are looking for an EHR system that is responsive and adaptable to these changes, you will need to do your research and ask plenty of questions. Many vendors provide software systems that are readily upgradable and easy to update.

EHR software is a significant investment for many clinics and can have many hidden costs beyond the upfront price tag. Asking plenty of questions and understanding where hidden costs typically occur can help you protect yourself and may reduce your overall electronic health record system costs. Implementing new software may be the primary expense, but some companies add other costs for features, assistance, and upgrades. You will need to evaluate each system you are reviewing.

Your practice can save administrative time and resources by creating self check-in stations for patients. Using an iPad, tablet, or computer, you can install an app that interfaces with your EHR system to directly send the check-in information to your patients’ records. This saves time and office resources for other tasks, so it may be worth the initial investment depending on the needs of your practice. Find out how to create your own self check-in for patients.