Improve Interoffice Communications

ZipChart® EMR has addressed this issue a few ways. The first way is the "Task List" (see Task List for full details)

The Task List system notifies other medical personnel in the office what is next on their list of assigned procedures to complete. Communication within the office is improved dramatically.

Another method of communication is the "Alert System". The Alert System is designed to remind office staff of events for a patient. This is an excellent way of communicating information to the front office staff for information needed when a patient is checking in.

For example, if the billing department needs a copy of the patients new insurance card, The billing office would add an alert to let the front desk know that they will need to scan the patients insurance card the next time the patient is in to see the provider.

Another use for the alerts would be if you wanted to track a 90 day global period for a post op patient. The alert can be added with a start date as the day of surgery and the end date being 90 days later, along with a messages stating that the patient has a 90 day global post op period. By setting the alert to be displayed at both chick-in and check-out, all staff members will know exactly when or when not to collect a co-pay and the physician will know whether or not to charge for an office visit.

Alerts are also an excellent way to track referrals. If a patient has a referral that is good for 60 days, enter an Alert with the start date, select the 60 day option, and make a note stating, " Referral is good". Alternatively you can enter an Alert that starts at the end of the referral period that states, "Referral expired".

And a final example of a great way to use Alerts would be if a patient has a patient balance that heeds to be paid, you could enter a check-in alert for your front office staff. The Alert is displayed on the check in screen, as a call to action for your front desk staff.