Last year, your telehealth appointments likely increased. And when you can provide care virtually, that also means your staff can work from anywhere.
But if your team doesn’t have the right setup — or even have the options — productivity can dip.
Read on to learn three pieces of technology that have transformed practice management and find out why you can’t afford to not use them.
1. Patient portals
Every interaction with your patient is an opportunity to grow your practice. Get it right, and you’ll delight your patient and make them feel at ease. Get it wrong, and you can leave them feeling nervous and unhappy.
Patient portals are systems that provide you and your patients a secure, convenient way to interact. They can streamline check-in and registration for the provider but also act as a helpful resource for patients that can be used to request services or obtain helpful information.
If you don’t currently use a patient portal, or you’re not sure your existing system is the right one for you, here are a few tips to get the most out of your tool. Look for platforms that have these features.
Set reminders and e-payment options. Patient portals can send appointment reminders to your patients so they always know what to expect before their visit. And with e-payment options, your patients won’t have to worry about losing bills or delays in reimbursements.
Expedite patient paperwork. Your patients don’t want to waste time in the waiting room before they see your clinicians. Make their visit speedy — and worthwhile — when you use patient portals that can securely administer paperwork before visits.
Ensure reliable appointment booking. Look for patient portals that enable patients to book their appointments easily, allowing them to choose the best time slot that works for them.
2. Electronic health records (EHR)
Your next patient is coming in for their physical therapy appointment in an hour, so you’re reading up on their chart to prepare. But do the notes say to monitor the right ankle...or the right arm?
Messy handwriting and misplaced charts can be problematic — even dangerous — when it comes to patient care.
Thankfully, EHR are digital records that streamline how healthcare professionals provide care.
If you’re not already using EHR, now’s the time to make the technology switch. Here are just a few ways EHR can improve patient care.
Improve the accuracy and clarity of medical records. No more questioning indecipherable handwriting. Digital records take the guesswork out of medical notes so everyone always interprets the same, clear descriptions.
Make health information more easily accessible. Whether your clinic has seven staff members or 70, physical charts can be misplaced. EHR enable practitioners to always have access to a patient’s medical history — and even make it easy to pass on information to the patient.
Reduce duplication of tests. If charts aren’t organized in the correct way, some practitioners or technicians can overlook notes. EHR can reduce the back and forth of what tests need to be ordered and when, therefore reducing delays in treatment.
3. Staff scheduling solutions
One of the hardest things to do in any small business is scheduling staff. Scheduling the right staff, at the right times, across different roles or locations can cause quite a headache. Luckily, technology can help keep your team or teams where they need to be.
If you’re using clunky software or — gasp — a spreadsheet, you’re actually costing your business time and money. Instead of focusing on quality care, you’re wasting hours figuring out how to adjust the schedule when staff has last-minute changes.
Use a staff scheduling solution that lets you build schedules in minutes. Easily fill shifts based on employee availability, training, and cost. Look for a tool that lets you send schedules to your team via desktop or mobile.
Ready to simplify your scheduling? Here are a few other tips to help you choose the right staff scheduling solution.
Fill empty shifts with the right staff. If you or another physician prefer to work with a particular person, look for a solution that enables you to create preferred working schedules automatically.
Flex with demand. Your clinic likely has fluctuations in demand, especially during certain seasons. Your staff scheduling solution should be able to help you predict when (and where) you need staff so you always have the right coverage for the best patient care.
Go mobile. In healthcare, you can’t be tied to your desk. Look for a tool that has a mobile app so you can make changes on the go, wherever you are.
The better you can use your tech stack and manage it, the better it will work for you. The need to properly integrate technology into the workplace is key, especially with the changing landscape of healthcare. Embrace the new norm of a digital workplace and make it work for you — not against you.
Whether it’s growing your business, increasing staff productivity, or reducing business costs through technology, you’re taking a step in the right direction. Looking for a few additional tips? Download The Essential Tech Stack to Launch and Grow Your Practice to learn more.
