Cardiovascular Business - January/February 2008 - (Page 17)

summary images in a PDF format and compressing moving images beyond normal ranges. On the reporting and documentation sides, NotesMD minimizes note taking and typing and can generate all reports from dictation. NotesMD allows CVMG to capture 95 percent of patient data, compared to 40 percent in most practices. Prescriptions are refilled with a single click, not only reducing errors, but also increasing efficiency. Other cost savings come on the staffing side. For example, the solution enabled the practice to transition from one transcriptionist for three to four physicians to one transcriptionist for 16 cardiologists. On the hardware side, the web-based product can run on any device such as a PDA, iPhone or Tablet PC. CVMG opted for hardwired secure workstations in all exams rooms to provide a stable, dedicated workspace at the point of care. eMR upgrade makes the grade The first time is not always a charm when it comes to technology—particularly for early adopters. Take for example South Florida Cardiology in Pembroke Pines, Fla., an 18-cardiologist practice that first implemented the EMR in 1997. The impetus for the first project was improved documentation, not enhanced efficiency, says partner Perry Krichmar, MD. “Without proper documentation, it can become problematic to secure reimbursement for tests.” The initial system performed as expected; however, as costs increased and reimbursement decreased over the last decade Krichmar and his partners realized that the practice needed to find new ways to increase efficiency, spend more time with patients and less time on paperwork and documentation. The paperwork burden in a conventional practice can be daunting. Krichmar sees 20 to 30 patients and reviews as many as 30 echocardiograms daily. The daily workload translates into 60 patient encounters, each with a stack of papers. In 2007, South Florida Cardiology reached the logical solution. “The only way to increase efficiency is to reduce manpower needed to push paper around,” sums Krichmar. Although the practice remained skeptical about its ability to go paperless, it decided to deploy the gMED EMR to boost efficien- cy. Since deploying the software in August 2007, South Florida Cardiology has replaced the paper chart process with electronic charting, sending messages via computer rather than paper. In terms of monetary savings, it no longer costs more than $4 to pull a chart with each patient phone call, says Krichmar. The software improves patient service in other ways as well. A Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant patient portal provides a means for online scheduling and distribution of variety of test results. In the near future, patients will be able to log in online to review radiology reports and lab tests. Integration with the practice’s billing solution enables automated billing and appointment verification, which increases efficiency and cuts costs. South Florida Cardiology continues to refine gMed. For example, the IT department expects to complete an interface to allow physicians to view echocardiograms, lab, CT and nuclear stress tests results in gMed. In addition, cardiologists will be able to generate reports within gMed, which represents an upgrade of the current scanning process. “We will be able to review and file reports with a single button. Currently, it takes two to three hours to review this paperwork with a nurse. That time should drop to about 10 minutes with this development,” states Krichmar. To optimize its investment, South Florida Cardiology invested in complementary hardware and IT resources, outfitting each exam room and echocardiography station with a workstation. “We decided against Tablet PCs because they aren’t as fast as hardwired systems, and access can be spotty,” says Krichmar. The upgrade also required an additional server. Finally, a full-time IT staffer manages the system and updates. “Outsourcing is an option,” indicates Krichmar, “but it can cost more.” the 0-to-60 approach In 2003, Cardiac Specialists, PC in Fairfield, Conn., was residing in the dark ages of IT. The 15-physician, three-office practice had very few computers and no network or central server. The decision to deploy SRS Clinical Manager electronic charting solution proved to be a springboard into the information age and propelled the practice into the leading edge of IT infrastructure. The first step on the journey was installing a high-speed CardiovascularBusiness.com Cardiovascular Business 1 http://CardiovascularBusiness.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Cardiovascular Business - January/February 2008

Cardiovascular Business - January/February 2008 Contents The Ticker: Quality Pays in Several Ways Cover Story: The Proof: Why Evidence-based Medicine Improves Cardiac Care Clinical Study Digest: Co-payments and Cath Labs Cardiac PET/CT Fills in Gaps Left by SPECT Tapping into IT to Improve the Office-Based Practice SPECT–Proving Its Value Cardiac Images in the EMR: Just a Click Away The Top 20 Ways to Market Your Cardiac CTA Practice The Big Picture: Medical Displays for Cardiac Images Statins Work But Pharmacoeconomic Caveats Abound Driving Data Protection: Opting for Storage On- or Offsite News & Views Calendar Reader’s Resource

Cardiovascular Business - January/February 2008

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