When is the last time you saw an old television show or movie? Likely in some scene there was an office. Now, I'm not talking about from the 1950's, but rather from maybe the 1980's. Oh, that is not that long ago or is it? Look at the office, what do you see? Likely you see a typewriter, but usually not a computer. Ever heard of a typing pool? A transcriptionist? Do you know short hand? If you answered yes, you are likely at least in your 40's. Now turn on the TV.
The offices of today look quite different thanks to technology. Computers are seen on every desk. Typewriters not only are a thing of the past, they are actually no longer in production. Everyone has a phone, in their pocket. Tablets are everywhere, and I am not talking about legal pads. And what was a word processor anyway? What do you really need to keep up with the times? Why are computers necessary?
Let's start with Electronic medical records. EMR is such a vital part to a well-run practice. They can be internet-based or bought outright. The most important thing is that it is easily accessible from the home or office. EMR can help keep track of appointments, billing, and most importantly medical records and prescriptions, for those call weekends. What kind of beeper do you use? A what? Ok, for those 30 and under it was an irritating little box that let out a high pitched shrill, usually around 3am. Please get rid of the pager. No tech-savvy doctor has a beeper; a smart phone is a better choice.
Patient information can be texted from the call service, prescriptions can be called in and EMR accessed, all in the palm of your hand. Ok, so you still dictate. As long as it is going into your EMR, have at it. Voice recognition dictation systems can download directly into the EMR, no typing and no waiting for a transcriptionist. When is the last time you had a stack of imaging films to look through? If it was a MRI or CT, surely those slippery films ended up on the floor, then where did you store them when you were done. Were you able to find them again or are they in a dusty corner, somewhere?
Digital imaging in a word is awesome. It is very cost effective, no processor to manage, no films or chemicals to buy, and the images can be downloaded directly into the EMR! Tablets are the next new thing. They can easily be brought room to room, have a nice size for viewing and durable cases prevent damage when dropped. So trash the typewriters, toss the beeper, and help your transcriptionist get a new job. Although some of these new gadgets may be confusing at first, the time and space saving is huge!
Patient information can be texted from the call service, prescriptions can be called in and EMR accessed, all in the palm of your hand. Ok, so you still dictate. As long as it is going into your EMR, have at it. Voice recognition dictation systems can download directly into the EMR, no typing and no waiting for a transcriptionist. When is the last time you had a stack of imaging films to look through? If it was a MRI or CT, surely those slippery films ended up on the floor, then where did you store them when you were done. Were you able to find them again or are they in a dusty corner, somewhere?
Digital imaging in a word is awesome. It is very cost effective, no processor to manage, no films or chemicals to buy, and the images can be downloaded directly into the EMR! Tablets are the next new thing. They can easily be brought room to room, have a nice size for viewing and durable cases prevent damage when dropped. So trash the typewriters, toss the beeper, and help your transcriptionist get a new job. Although some of these new gadgets may be confusing at first, the time and space saving is huge!
