Many private practice owners still have not switched over to an electronic medical records system. Perhaps most of them thought that having an automated system would be complicated.
Nitin Chhoda shares how physical therapy software can help your practice in the long run using the right implementation.
Electronic medical records is a new and modern way in a private practice business, while paper medical record systems still dominate the market.
However, the fact is that paper medical records are waning fast.
Paper documentation systems are a relic of time when physical therapists didn’t have the choice of simple, efficient, and precise EMR software.
The Current Status of EMR System
At the moment, only 10% of those practicing in health care fields have a fully functioning electronic medical records system. As of 2009, 20% had the most basic beginnings of a system, but still relied heavily on paper documentation.
Over the past three years it is likely that that percentage is growing, or that many systems have been updated. A more remarkable statistic is that only 1.5% of hospitals have integrated IT systems.
Half of those that do are government facilities, meaning that private practices are lagging behind. Most private practices are staffed by about 9 people, however, which makes that number less shocking.
With so few facilities using electronic medical records technology, you might wonder why you should adopt it in the first place.
The fact is that while very few firms might run physical therapy management software, there are still a number of advantages for those that do. Electronic medical records improve efficiency, accuracy, and quality of care.
Implementing the Electronic Medical Record
Any practice that implements electronic medical records software benefits from digitized records: easy access to patient information, the ability to sign patients in instantaneously, and massively improved handling of cancellations and no-show patients.
Electronic medical records simplify the life of a physical therapist by making it easy to manage patients, data, and finances. And you have the incredible ability to access your patient’s files and tests with the press of a button, instantaneously pulling up all the records you have on each patient.
In some offices, the physical therapists simply carry an iPad around, and type in the name of the patient before you walk into the room, instantly reviewing a listing of all pertinent information. Electronic medical records make patient care simpler and more effective.
You’ll also be handling records that are type-written, rather than hand-written. A surprising number of mistakes are made by physical therapists and physicians because they just couldn’t read the notes in a medical record.
But electronic medical records systems for physical therapy management aren’t just good for your firm. With a simple piece of software, you can send and receive complete records between offices. Download the software, press a few buttons, and another facility has the files. It really is that simple. EMR data management solutions ensure that everyone who cares for a patient always has the most recent information.
EMR is the Solution
When the number of firms with the technology reaches a certain point, the perception will be that every firm needs an EMR solution.
You can get ahead of the trend now by starting the process and going electronic for you, your patients, and the entire practice.
But even if your physical therapy office is unique in being equipped with medical records solution, electronic medical records would still be helpful. More and more facilities are adopting EMR for physical therapy services, and soon we will see a shift.
