How To Reduce Administrative Burden with Practice Management Software

 

A little practice that tries to handle everything on its own almost inevitably runs into issues. Administrative tasks can become overly demanding and downright stressful for a small workforce when combined with managing operations, scheduling, billing, account administration, customer support, and providing medical care. In reality, it may detract from the primary goal of delivering treatment.  

The EHR accounts for 45% of a physician's time at work, 24% of which is spent by them using it while directly caring for patients, and 21% of which is spent on EHR entry alone. Physicians spend 8% of their working time on administrative tasks. 

While system-level improvements are required to aid in easing this burden, doctors and their colleagues can make practice-level adjustments to decrease redundancy, remove impediments, and save time. 

Less But Better Documentation 

When you have to consider medicolegal risk, you're attempting to acquire rich psychosocial information, and you feel driven to check as many boxes as possible, it's simple to over-document. However, not every EHR box needs to be checked, and not every visit calls for a masterpiece. Instead, keep your letter concise, precise, and easy to read so that anyone reading it can comprehend your clinical rationale and plan. Create a template if you frequently write the same material.

Learn The E/M Coding Guidelines 

The choice of code level is now made more straightforwardly and is based either on total time or medical judgment. The history, physical exam, and bullet counting were dropped as criteria for choosing a code. 

Try Documenting Your Team 

Trained medical assistants can update the patient's history, finish medication reconciliation, fill any gaps in treatment, and pull up the documentation templates in the electronic health records (EHR) system using an enhanced rooming process. They can also stay in the examination room to help the doctor with the documentation. 

Consider Who Does What 

When performing work that does not require a physician's education or license, consider whether someone else could complete the task. For instance, your staff can handle the initial filling out of FMLA papers and DME requests while you only review and give your approval as necessary. Standing orders and team meetings can improve task delegation.

Redirect Inbox Messages 

All messages are typically sent to the doctor directly by default in many EHR systems, although this is ineffective. Before involving you: 

1. Ask your IT team to configure your system, so communications get to the proper person, like your nurse or medical assistant. 
2. Instruct your staff to exhaust all other options. 
3. Instruct your team to book the patient for an in-person or telehealth solution appointment if a message contains a problem that will take a lot of time to resolve. 

Align your medical practice's requirements so you can prosper and accomplish your goals. You may run your course profitably with the help of revenue cycle management and practice management systems, which also enable you to get paid what is due. 

Doctors must be released from administrative responsibilities to focus on their most vulnerable patients.