It is often believed that medical offices are behind the times when it comes to technology. From storing patient files to providing prescriptions, almost all these processes use the traditional pen and paper method. Doctors would also need an outstanding memory to diagnose and treat their patients. Otherwise, extensive research with books is required.
However, those days are coming to an end. The healthcare industry is now adopting different forms of technology to make medical practice incalculably easier. Of all the systems used in today’s medical sector, this article lists down some of the best technologies that have improved the field of medicine.
Technology You Need in Medical Practice
If you practice medicine, have your own clinic, or work in a hospital, investing in technology plays a vital role in your progress. If you have no idea where to start, below are some of the technology you need in medical practice.
Electronic Health Record
Organizational skills are important in any industry, and
electronic health records or EHR makes that easier. Multiple metal filing cabinets and piles of paper on the front desk take too much time gathering the necessary data about a patient. With EHRs, medical staff can obtain this information with just a few clicks. Anything about a person’s history, diagnoses, treatment, or medication is included in an electronic health record. Since less time is involved in handling papers, doctors can spend longer one-on-one sessions with patients and conduct a more thorough examination.
Medical Billing Program
More often than not, patients use health insurance to cover their medical expenses. You need to claim the payment for your services from their providers. Using a
program for medical billing will make this easier. This allows you to submit and follow-up on health insurance claims from a patient to the company. Without a computer program for billing, it will be harder for you to keep track of your patient’s payment information, which can sometimes lead to unpaid services. Medical billing software will not just make storing or accessing these files more manageable. Still, it can also improve your cash flow by taking in more patients without being overwhelmed by the amount of data you need to monitor.
Patient Portal
As we progress towards the future, patients are also becoming more digitally intelligent. In fact, they often prefer upgraded services where communication and information can be made or accessed online. Having a patient portal in your medical office allows patients to see their test results and medical history online. Aside from this, they can also book their schedule online instead of having to go to your clinic or office and lining up for a few hours before they get consulted. Since patient portals have everything about a person’s medical history, physicians can also access this data and track their patient’s condition from a distance.
Card Scanner
Transferring information from a patient’s insurance card or driver’s license increases the risk of human error. That’s why you must invest in a card scanner. These devices are relatively cheap, and they can make copies of patient identification cards significantly faster and more accurately compared to writing them down. A card scanner can be connected to a computer through a USB port. You also don’t have to worry about missing information because all the card’s relevant data will be scanned.
Exam Room Laptop/Tablet
Gone are the days when medical records have to be on a clipboard by the foot of the hospital bed, and doctors must visit the patient’s room to read them. Nowadays, physicians use tablets to access patient information. One significant advantage of this is that doctors can read medical records wherever they are, even before visiting a patient. This saves doctors plenty of time to attend to more patients or do other important tasks. In addition to this, laptops or tablets can access the internet, allowing doctors to use the latest guidelines to fortify their medical opinion or prescription. This is especially important because information about the latest or unknown diseases are not readily available before. With laptops or tablets, diagnosis and treatment even of rare illnesses become easier.
Self-Service Kiosks
Another significant development in the healthcare industry is self-service kiosks. This is almost the same as a patient portal, but it can only be accessed inside the hospital. The primary purpose of self-service kiosks is to reduce social interaction and minimize the risk of transferring contagious diseases, among
other benefits. Hospitals or clinics should consider this an investment because they would definitely attract and accommodate more patients with self-service kiosks, leading to increased cash flow.
With all the technology available around us, it’s a mistake if we don’t utilize these developments to make treatment and diagnosis easier. Aside from the convenience that it provides our medical practitioners with, technology has also made it possible for underprivileged people to practice their right to a working healthcare system.
