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IS YOUR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AUTOMATED? Many Emergency Departments (ED) today are operating at a critical capacity and are battling multiple problems that contribute to increased length of stay and decreased patient satisfaction. Automating your processes in the ED with an information system that is specific to the specialized demands of ED charting, forms and regulations can help to streamline patient flow and reduce overcrowding. In the world of Healthcare Information Systems (HIS), there are two main types of Emergency Department Information System (EDIS) vendors: Best of Breed and HIS. In selecting an EDIS, you must closely examine the advantages and disadvantages of both the HIS and the Best of Breed. The HIS vendor allows for hospital-wide information technology implementation and claims to be the "single source" solution. But in reality, it is merely a leveraged functionality of their current in-patient system in an attempt to make it fit in the ED. The Best of Breed's solution allows for need-specific implementation tailoring the ED processes which allows end-users to focus on treating patients. Best of Breed vendors focus on the ED...because we are the ED...it's our specialty. Searching for the "best" system for your ED is not simple. The "best" system is the one that meets all of your needs and works with your existing computer system to properly accomplish better patient care and improve staff productivity. Hospital and Emergency Department managers who take the time to evaluate EDIS vendors and ask the hard questions will be rewarded with an efficient system and a true partner that has stake in the success of the ED. If you need additional information about Emergency Department Information Systems, please give us a call. Our technology, as well as our clinical specialists, are always available at CMR and are happy to help you and your staff with any questions.
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT CROWDING A recent article published by the Institute of Medicine stated that Emergency Department (ED) crowding has become more severe in communities with higher numbers of uninsured residents. As that number continues to grow, EDs are seeing their usage grow exponentially and are becoming the principal portal of entry into healthcare systems. In many hospitals, EDs contribute 40-50% of all hospital admissions. With increasing operating costs, patient volume and an overall growth in complexities of the ED, hospitals cannot afford to have their EDs lose money. Automating your processes to include functionality, work flow and ease of use that truly meets the needs of the ED staff and end-users are essential in improving the financial health of today's EDs. An Emergency Department Information System (EDIS) provides a means of reducing or shortening revenue cycles and expedites patient turnaround times with high quality and efficiency. Implementing the right information system to meet the crucial needs of the ED is very challenging, but worth it!
TIP OF THE MONTH Coding Past Medical, Family and Social History (PFSHx): Documentation of some section(s) of the "PFSHx" is required for E&M Levels 4 and 5. Coding guidelines for a Level 4 chart require one of the three sections to be documented and Level 5 charts require two of the three sections be addressed. Remember that Medical and Surgical Hx items are considered both part of "Past Medical History" section.
USER TIPS An easy rule of thumb for the PFSHx is to always document pertinent Past Medical and/or Surgical History and add documentation from Social History. This ensures that two sections of the PFSHx have been addressed for those higher level charts. Of course Family History should be added when pertinent.
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FROM THE EDITOR Calling on his own experience as a Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician, Dr. Mandry tasked a team of professionals to build a tool that would not only benefit physicians, nurses and patient care, but also ensure that management and facility needs were also met. His vision for an ED Electronic Medical Record has matured into an Emergency Department Information System that integrates the view of a patient's encounter from the chart to the whiteboard which allows everyone involved in the patient's care to make informed, coordinated and timely decisions.
CMR, the Complete Medical Record, is designed for Emergency Departments by Emergency Physicians and Nurses. We offer the most up to date record to meet all regulatory compliance for the Emergency Department. Our record is complete with forms, core measures, Rx writer, reporting, etc. and offers the ability for all disciplines that interact with the Emergency Department to chart concurrently. User-Friendly, CMR helps to create a health care culture that is both connected and comprehensive. |
