We need to recognize that any change implemented by a practice will create a risk. The “old” way of doing things, i.e. writing letters on paper, will no longer be available or we won’t have stamps to post the letter. Automate every office function and process you can. Interconnect the functions you automate so one piece of data is entered manually only once. When data comes from a machine or device of some kind, an automated interface will eliminate manual data entry and with it every opportunity for human error. Depend on the defined process, tools and your people.

Whether the processes and procedures deliver efficiency at a level which produces a satisfactory profit depends on a number of variables. One of which is the process itself. For the purpose of this discussion, the process is the general category of automation, specifically Electronic Health Record software and Billing software with all their appendages and inter-connections. Create user friendly interfaces between automation and people. Give your people tasks that require thinking, experience and knowledge, supported to the fullest by automation and training.

Training can release you from unprofitable and therefore undesirable dependency. Better trained people not only do better work and more of it in less time, but they are happier and make the workplace for others enjoyable. Training is the most often overlooked and underused tool to increase efficiency and therefore profitability. Becoming dependent upon well trained staff, using any reasonably good software and other automated tools, is a good thing for business.

Take out the emotional attachment to changing EMR and billing systems. Remove yourself from the glitter of the newest and the best. Instead, rely on running a good office, with all its shortcomings, in the best way you can. A new EMR system, expensive or cheap, will not fix an office whose procedures are lacking and whose people are not fully trained.

Training alone will increase the value and functionality of your software. Whether you have great software, average or marginal software, your office will gain significant advantage by investing in your staff through training. In most cases it will cost less and deliver more than buying new software. Not one or two training sessions but routinely established training for updates and as a refresher for less frequently used functions. Learn more about training in my full length article devoted to training.

If you precede training with a thorough review of office processes and functionality of your existing software, you can implement new functionality and appropriately modified office processes before beginning training. Now you are in position to dramatically increase efficiency and profitability. If after this effort you still find the software inadequate, you are in an excellent position to select the best software for your office.

It is sometimes difficult to run a business without emotion but it is essential for a well run clinic. Businesses can’t afford to make “buy” versus “training” decisions based on frustration or complaints. Efficiency and therefore profits, come from doing the same thing well over time. Using the same tools, working with the same people (good people and well trained), elevating people to tasks that require their best skills and diligent thought process. These are the elements of profitable companies. Repetitive change becomes a business into itself, is often poorly planned, only partially executed, costs more than expected and delivers less than expected. Change puts off the favorable dependency of doing the same thing well over time, for its own cycle of “change again” in five years or so.

I do not sell training (except to a very small client base, maybe 2% of revenue) but I do sell lots of data conversions. Offices that skimp on training, then buy new software to make up for it, are my bread and butter. I recommend training and all that goes with it but personally prefer they keep changing software. As for dependency, if you are committed to using it, you are dependent upon it. Take advantage of it, automate everything, and become dependent on well planned and fully integrated automation. Make it work for you. Don’t fight with it.

KW Norris is an IT professional, consultant and Sales Executive. KW works with medical clinics and medical software vendors to provide the best technology solutions available to improve quality and efficiency in the medical office. If you need a technology solution, KW can help you find it.

KW Norris
Technology Consultants, Inc.
4125 SW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006
503-356-4105 ext 11, 503-939-9223 cell phone, 503-356-4109 fax
kw@tech-consultants.com, http://www.tech-consultants.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/kwnorris

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=KW_Norris

Background
Malaria and other infectious diseases are rampant in developing countries, and medical facilities are unable to keep up with the growing need for immediate and accurate diagnostic testing. Diamed Rapid Tests were developed to reach this critical market providing quick on-site diagnosis to replace, or act as a preliminary step to, costly laboratory testing.

Problem
Although rapid malaria tests are 90% accurate, the results are difficult to read and there is a high instance of user error, resulting in misdiagnosis and improper treatment. A solution was needed to help field technicians properly diagnose patients and begin treatment on time.

Solution
Diamed, a leading provider of diagnostic products, sought to create a cost effective, handheld, easy to use, highly accurate and durable device to overcome the inherent inaccuracies of the rapid malaria test. They turned to Imaging Diagnostics to develop an embedded vision solution that can process test results using image analysis, thereby eliminating the potential for human error and preventing misdiagnosis.
In order to satisfy Diamed’s power and size constraints of a hand held portable device, Imaging Diagnostics needed to provide a camera that possessed the requisite imaging sensitivity along with the processing ability to enable quantitative determination of the level of infection.

With 15 years experience in machine building, specializing in embedded machine vision solutions for small mass produced devices, Imaging Diagnostics has developed the first line of Professional USB 2.0 cameras for high powered applications. By providing on-camera memory and processing, Professional USB 2.0 cameras overcome the traditional drawbacks of USB cameras, eliminating the need for expensive higher bandwidth connections.

By utilizing a professional USB 2.0 camera Imaging Diagnostics was able to maximize sensor performance, while collecting and processing all the necessary information in a compact and self-contained unit, and even added extra features such as advanced data management.

Working on a tight time and monetary budget, Imaging Diagnostics assembled a prototype based on their Camelot series, a line of professional USB 2.0 cameras with embedded Blackfin DSP’s. The prototype transmitted images to an independent PC as a proof of concept, accelerating development time considerably. Once the camera and associated software were proven effective, the system was sent for clinical tests and evaluation. The final product is a totally independent embedded system with integrated keypad and display.

The use of a smart camera in this device eliminated the need for any other type of PC, further reducing production costs. Additionally, the custom software developed specifically for the application ensured ease of use, and seamless integration into the final product.

Utilizing a professional USB 2.0 camera enabled fast implementation of the vision solution. Imaging Diagnostics delivered a fully working product in only six months, enabling Diamed to fill the demand for an accurate, easy to use and cost-effective testing device.

About the Author

Ayelet Mofar