FEATURE
Does the application/system provide reminders or tools for regulatory
requirements and timely reporting? With quality reporting, facilities that do not report during the cor-
rect interval stand to lose money. The technology selected should offer au- tomated reminders on what to capture and when to acquire and submit infor- mation to ensure reimbursements are received.
Does the application/system provide electronic discharge in-
structions? Look for a system that offers or, at the very least, suggests dis-
charge instructions and educational materials relevant to a patient’s proce- dure; a library-driven system is most ideal. The software should offer elec- tronic signature tracking to document that information was received and reviewed by the patient. In addition to the time savings associated with eliminating the need for someone to go through and select content and print from a Word document or comb through manila folders, the ability to quickly pull an electronic record of what a patient signed is helpful in the event of an audit or simply to provide the patient with another copy of the document in the future.
Does the application/system al- low for customization? In the ASC industry, one size does not fit all. This is especial-
ly true for multi-specialty facilities where the requirements and standards for various procedures are different. Therefore, it is important to deploy a system that will adapt to each special- ty within a facility. The ideal solution should provide a library of options (documentation and rules) specific to each specialty and allow for further customization to provide the best fit for a facility.
It is no longer a matter of whether providers can afford the move from paper to electronic documentation; the transition
must be made for providers to survive.” —Lindsay McQueeney Hanrahan, SourceMedical
Does the application/system offer a checking mechanism? Incomplete documentation can negatively impact reimburse-
ments and result in noncompliance in the event of an audit. The system se- lected should offer a checking mech- anism, such as a chart that ensures that all of the necessary information has been completed, and should re- quire sign-off from the appropriate provider(s), including the surgeon, an- esthesiologist and/or nursing staff. As new regulations roll out, more and more documentation elements will be required under various conditions. Those that are ill-prepared can expect
to see a spike in accounts receivable days and cash flow problems, mak- ing it increasingly difficult to keep the facility afloat while paying staff in a timely manner. It is no longer a mat- ter of whether providers can afford the move from paper to electronic docu- mentation; the transition must be made for providers to survive. The sooner fa- cilities adopt technology and start us- ing it, the sooner they will realize they cannot survive without it.
Lindsay McQueeney Hanrahan is the vice president of product management for the Surgery Division at SourceMedical, www.
sourcemed.net.
Registration opening in November! For more information, visit
www.ascassociation.org/ASCA2014 ASC FOCUS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 23
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