In our white paper on transitions between post-acute care (PAC) providers, we stressed that finding and implementing the best technology solutions would help ensure that those transitions are successful – for both patient and provider. The optimal technologies should, at a minimum, enable you to improve communications and organizational management while also increasing interoperability. Let’s drill down to see what these ideal solutions should offer.
Everything Altogether in the Cloud
First, it’s important to have all your data in one place, preferably in a cloud-based solution. A workflow integrating physical and electronic documentation leads to better decision-making. Intra-PAC transitions will go more smoothly when you’re already managing and tracking outstanding orders, referrals, labs, and other documents on a single platform. You’ll be able to deliver better care, improve relationships with other providers, and also save time and money.
The right document management solution helps your overall business strategy, too. Look for one that allows you to configure your workflows to meet the specific needs of your facility or company. Once your inbound documents and referral sources have been centralized, and your document turnaround time reduced, you’ll soon see faster reimbursements…and better cash flow.
Mobile is the New Normal
Second, seek a HIPAA-compliant application for your mobile workforce. The best mobile app will enable home health care and hospice providers to build comprehensive patient records, by gathering real-time field data. Your clinical care team should be able to share messages, images, videos, and documents securely from their own devices. Ideally, the application also seamlessly integrates with your EHR. Imagine how all this readily available information will help you make better informed intra-PAC transitions! With features like document capture, digital forms management, video calling and wound measure, an easy-to-use mobile app will drive consistent communication and faster decision-making for your clinicians in the field.
Your employees should be able to work anywhere there’s a web connection, so your clinical care teams can connect with your back-office staff, too. A mobile solution with instant collaboration and communication can jump-start your referral process, and turn PDGM from a challenge into an opportunity.
Metrics to Keep You on Track
Third, keep an eye on the health of your operations. As you increase intra-PAC patient transitions, you need to know that they’re working for your patients and your business. The best analytics solution will give you insights into both your workflows and your staff performance. You should be able to quickly access reports that show you data and trends in areas such as:
- Referral volume
- Referral processing speed
- Orders pending signature
- Orders pending approval by location
- Orders pending signature by location
- Outstanding pending signatures by provider
- Number of referrals created by users
- Number of orders processed by users
With the right business intelligence, you’ll easily see what’s successful – and identify and address what’s not in a timely manner.
Doing Your Due Diligence
Finally, question technology vendors about the capabilities, interoperability and certification of their solutions. Expanding intra-PAC transitions may be new to your agency, but expediting them should not be difficult for the right solution provider. If you already have a technology vendor, evaluate their solution against some of the criteria we’ve outlined. If you’re starting from scratch, consult with your peers, review industry reports, and know your budget, timeline and other requirements. Then create a list of questions to help narrow down your prospects. The answers you receive will lead you to form the right technology partnership, for your patients and your business.
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As Forcura's Director of Communications and Brand Strategy, Kate brings a robust background and knowledge of the healthcare and post-acute industry to Forcura. She also represents Forcura as a social media ambassador at events around the country, is an on-camera reporter and interviewer, and host of our Innovate Jax podcast. |
