Their Situation

The complexities and nuances of accurately documenting the services provided to patients and the payments required in compensation posed a ignificant challenge for the academic clinicians at The Herbert Irving Division of Child & Adolescent Oncology [HIDCAO]. Recognizing the magnitude of this issue and the potential for lost revenue the leadership of the HIDCAO reached out to Practice Charts for help.

Our Solution

The implementation of the Practice Charts EMR assisted the clinical staff and administrative personnel in concisely documenting patient encounters and completing the patients’ charge for service. Every member of the HIDCAO was given a distinct, secure user identification and password. Access to Practice Charts EMR could be accomplished wherever an Internet connection was available.

The web-based entries incorporated the following:

• Patient demographics and insurance information
• Consultations
• Out-patient and in-patient encounter notes for attending physicians, fellows, nurse practitioners, oncology nurse clinicians, and the psychosocial staff
• Admission notes
• Discharge notes
• Linked comprehensive patient bills for out-patients, and in-patients that are compatible with Medicaid, managed care, and private insurance requirements
• Links with the hospital laboratory system to automatically populate the patient forms

The Result

The quality of the patient records at HIDCAO improved dramatically after implementing the solution that Practice Charts provided. HIDCAO has achieved almost 100% billing compliance (it was 42% prior to implementing the system).

• Patient charges and clinical revenue have increased more than 200%; and the heightened revenue has allowed the HIDCAO to enhance existing programs and develop new initiatives to the benefit of their patients and families.
• Physicians submit bills within 24 hours of delivery of care, as opposed to 2 weeks on average prior to implementing the system.
• Improved communication among the staff regarding patient status and also has permitted the faculty to email discreet patient records to referring physicians in a secure HIPPA compliant manner.