Physicians Practice - Tech Guide 2008 - (Page 55)

deal has changed since the PMS niche grew from an ugly duckling into today’s lovely swan. So what do you currently skip but wish you could do? Are there speciﬁc data slices you’d like to be able to access in a handy report? Do you get frustrated with some of your workers because they jump over certain tasks you’ve deemed important? What about IN SUMMARY If you’re one of many practices that have not upgraded their practice management software for more than ﬁve, 10, or even 20 years, you should investigate the options and beneﬁts of doing so: appointment scheduling? Are you currently limited to just 15- or 30minute appointment slots? What if you could set aside 20 minutes for a patient you know is going to need that extra ﬁve? Make a wish list of all that you see lacking in your current system, and take note of vendors that could potentially meet your needs. 3. Decide what to ask. Every PMS vendor wants your business — badly. To select the right one, ask the right questions. Cover every aspect imagi- nable, down to the last keystroke needed to sign off every evening, and level the playing ﬁeld by asking all vendors the same questions, including: • How is scheduling handled? Can we double- or even triple-book appointments? • What’s the maximum number of providers allowed? • Does the software properly handle the procedural and diagnostic codes our practice needs? • What about search capabilities, •Even with regular upgrades, older systems simply cannot keep pace with today’s data handling needs. •Count on an overall improvement in staff productivity, better compliance with HIPAA and other regulations, and increased patient satisfaction. •With EMR adoption on the rise nationally, you’ll want a practice management system that interacts well with your EMR, as the data you generate between these two applications overlap. •To prepare as much as possible for the upgrade, make sure you analyze your current system, stay open to new ideas, and narrow down your vendor list by carefully determining which questions you want answered. •Train your staff well, reward positive attitudes, and insist on full compliance so staff can acclimate to the new system as quickly as possible. •Negotiate reduced prices on your technical support by offering to be a visitors’ site — a practice where interested practices can see the software in action. •Consider scrapping your legacy data, especially if your former system is very old. A large percentage of the data will be unusable. •Join or even create a user group for the software you’re considering: swap stories, ideas, problems, and questions. WWW.PHYSICIANSPRACTICE.COM TECHNOLOGY GUIDE | PHYSICIANS PRACTICE | 55 http://medplexus.com http://medplexus.com http://WWW.PHYSICIANSPRACTICE.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Physicians Practice - Tech Guide 2008

Physicians Practice - Tech Guide 2008 TG Cover Story: Protect Your Practice and Sleep Better Operations: Paperless? Not Quite The Internet: You've Got Mail...Or Do You? Patient Relations: Attention Grabbers The Tech Doctor: All About Blogs Lessons Learned: 'My EMR Nightmare...And Why I'd Do It Again' Scheduling: No More No-Shows The Marketplace: Who's Got Your Back IT Enhancement: Time, at Last, for an Upgrade? Online: 'Yup, I'm a Junkie. And Proud of It.' In the Office: New Technologies in the Workplace: Blessing or Curse? Web Surfing: If You Build It...

Physicians Practice - Tech Guide 2008

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