How Computers are Changing Healthcare

In 1994 I wrote an article published in the Medical Practice Management magazine entitled “Computers in Practice”. It was about how computers are changing the way healthcare practices process information. The main topic addressed installing computerized checkbook systems for paying the practice’s payroll and payables.

Recently, I pulled the article from my file and was surprised to see just how far we have progressed since writing that article. Systems that we were just implementing at the time of the article are now fully embraced.

What We Do Today

We initially began installing software on client’s computers so that they could pay their bills and process payroll checks. Today most clients use the same checkbook software through the internet using a secure portal through our website. This portal also contains a file cabinet that presents their financial statements and other business documents.

If we do the payroll for a client, they simply enter the hours for the employees on a worksheet contained in this portal and then submit the file directly to us.

Because the client’s checkbook information resides on a networked computer our staff is able to download the information directly from the client’s checkbook eliminating the need to send us diskettes or backups of their files. The use of this portal has allowed us to support our clients using the computerized checkbook system more efficiently as well.

Using software via the internet has also allowed us to offer clients real-time support on their computers, hold meetings with clients, and in some cases actually process their monthly practice management reports.

When needed, our clients log into meeting software that we use and within a few minutes they are looking at our computer screen. If the client wants to show us something on their computer, no problem, we simply switch who is doing the presenting and then we are looking at their computer.

Computers Changing Healthcare Tomorrow

When I reflect on how computers are changing healthcare, I find it amazing how far things have come in a short period of time. I wonder how we will be using technology in five to ten years from now.

Recently, I came across an interesting article presented in Healthcare IT News on how technology is being used to treat patients in an innovative way.

Seeking efficiency, cost-effectiveness and improved communications with patients, physicians at the Henry Ford Health System in Michigan are piloting a Web based portal for virtual office visits.

Patients and physicians conduct online consultations by sending questions and responses through MEDSEEK’s eVisit tool. Its intended for brief, non-emergency assessments.

“We’ve decided to allocate 0.6 work RVU’s per eVisit, said Dr. Diane Sayers, the medical director of HFHS, “A live visit worth the same physician work RVU would typically take 15 minutes, whereas the eVisit only takes about three minutes to complete.”

Today the use of this type of technology may seem a bit futuristic, but then twelve years ago the idea of electronic banking, meeting with clients on-line was a bit futuristic as well.

Using computers to store and create Electronic Health Records (EHR) is a concept still trying to find its way into medical practices. Some doctors use these systems, but their success in the practice is still being debated.

Remaining Focused on What Matters

What’s not being debated is the cost of providing care to patients. Everyone seems to be on the same page when it comes to this topic – costs are going up and reimbursements are going down.

Therefore, finding ways to improve the bottom line may need to include using technology in ways we have not used it in the past.

I find that while many offices have replaced the long forgotten pegboard systems with a robust computerized practice management system to make things more efficient in the office, much of the valuable data found in their computer systems remains un-tapped.

The typical busy practitioner just doesn’t have the time at the end of a busy day to explore ways to mine the data. Most office managers desire what is best for the practice, but they too are busy wearing many hats for the practice, which limits what they can do in this area. And yet the information contained in the practice management system, if reviewed, may point to ways that will increase the bottom line of the business.

Over the past year, our team has been testing new ways computers can bring positive change to healthcare by analyzing our client’s practice management data. By partnering with the practice we have used our technology in a way which has proven to be very valuable for focusing on the processes responsible for generating revenue, addressing compliance and increasing efficiency within the medical practice.

As we move forward together this year and in the years to come, it is my goal to keep a watchful eye on, and present to you, ways in which we can use technology together to assist you increasing your bottom line; keeping you in the business of treating your patients.