Physician office Practices: The future Can Be Now
Posted by Lin Dworshak on Thu, Jun 30, 2011 @ 09:39 AM
Recently I had to visit a specialist (no worries). I was impressed at the level of automation and sophistication at a 1 doc practice. I was called the day before to remind me of my appointment. When I arrived, I checked in via a computer, that was very patient and age friendly . I was called back to exam room and noticed immediately that each exam room was equipped with a lap top computer and a printer. The nurse that called me to the room, sat down at lap top and pulled up my record and promptly input my vitals. After a brief wait, the physician entered. After a few amenities (hi, how are you?) The physician then picked up a voice activated recorder and began to record my visit. I had had recent blood work and x-rays. The results were electronically posted in the chart and we discussed them Looking at the screen occasionally and deleting a word and repeating the word, he made his way through a template of the visit. He spoke to me and the computer at the same time.......Pt denies blah, blah, blah, looking at me and me nodding my head. I naturally had some questions. The physician listened, went to a web site and printed off some material for me to read....22 pages of material. I needed additional blood work, and he asked me to just wait in the exam room. In about 10 minutes, a phlebotomist was there to draw my blood. After drawing my blood, the person, while labeling my tubes, told me that results would be sent to physician within 24 hours and the doctor would call me with any results.
The physician was very efficient and professional while maintaining good eye contact and listening. At the end of the session, he printed the "progress" notes, signed them and placed them in the chart. He also told me that my scripts would be filled at the pharmacy I had given them in my original paper-work, and the Rx was transmitted electronically to the pharmacy. Before I walked out the door, my EHR was updated, printed and signed by the physician. A charge ticket was printed out for the visit.
At check-out, I gave the charge ticket to the receptionist and paid the required amount. My next appointment was printed out and given to me. Scripts were awaiting me at the pharmacy as was told.
I remember the first time I saw 2001: A Space Odyssey.....but a few days ago I met Hal.....he was working in my physicians office. They seemed to do everything right and automated many of the normally time consuming and tedious office procedures. And by the way, within 24 hours, the office called me with lab results and indicated what I needed to do.
I had to laugh as I left the office. Was this really what just happened? Had someone really figured out how to use technology to become more efficient? Had the physician really worked with a voice activated recorder enough to recognize his voice and accent (yes, he was from the Philippines) Did the office make adjustments to work flow to accommodate the new technology? And did they really draw my blood in the physician's office instead of asking me to go to a lab, stand in line, give all the same information over again? Did I check in at a computer? Did the physician really know what web site contained the exact information that would answer my questions and give me the printed material? Did they collect the correct amount when I left the visit at check-out?
Amazing what can happen when people commit themselves to doing something differently...to take advantage of latest technology and then to actually have it work for them. And the staff was pleasant, unhurried and soft spoken.
Welcome to the future.