Monday, Mar 22, 2010

Going Green? Going Paperless? Going Digital?

By Sherry Hodge, CA

Monday, Mar 22, 2010 04:08

For the last few years I have been researching and visiting offices with paperless software in use. Everything from touch screen to internet-based programs. Just recently I visited an office here in Colorado that had purchased a highly recommended software program for the practice. He had the database in place but didn't have a staff who was willing to take the online training course and get things up and going. I visited another local office who had the same program in place and took his staff with me. We all were so impressed that we have all been taking the online training. I welcomed having the opportunity to see what the software can do and experience the online training first hand. For those of you who know me, I tend to get really enthusiastic about helping Chiropractic Practices reach more patients and experience the joy of being a part of healing and wellness. In most of the practices that I have visited, the ongoing challenge is documentation of care and diagnosis. Most of the Chiropractors I know just want to heal the world and bond with patients…not paperwork. But as we also know, taking care of the paperwork is part of taking care of the patients. Some practices choose to have the C.A. do the documentation by hand or on the computer. If simplified to the max, the Doctor may find it more efficient to do it himself/herself. A major part of each day in a typical Chiropractic office involves "pulling" patient files and filing them back…every day, day in and day out. The computer programs have been mainly used for billing purposes and some for scheduling purposes as well. As I am also visiting smaller cash practices, I am seeing that billing software is either more than is necessary or less than is required. There are programs created by Chiropractors that can be customized for any size practice starting for less than $2000. These programs take care of most of the procedures for day-to-day documentation and scheduling, along with a very good data base program with visit receipts. The doctor goes home each night with all documentation done and no "homework". The C.A. can see if the doctor has not completed the documentation so she can follow up. I am on a mission to continue to search for better ways to serve our patients. I want you all to be prepared for the future and to streamline and simplify your practice systems. If you are interested in more information about what I have seen so far, send me an e-mail!!! I'll keep you all up to date on the progress through this blog.

Sherry Hodge's website

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