Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems have significantly transformed how the healthcare sector manages medical data. This technology has revolutionized the way healthcare professionals store, access, and share patient information, making it more efficient and accessible than ever before.
However, alongside EHR systems' remarkable benefits, there is another side to the coin. They have placed a considerable burden on the physician community. With the widespread adoption of EHRs, physicians now deal with a substantial increase in the volume of clinical information they must address daily.
A recent study revealed that, on average, physicians spent 16 minutes and 14 seconds per patient encounter using EHRs, dedicating time to tasks such as chart review (33%), documentation (24%), and ordering (17%). So, if a physician sees an average of 20 patients daily, that translates to about 5 hours of EHR-related work per day.
Furthermore, physicians who use EHRs spend nearly 2 hours daily on after-hours documentation. This is significantly more than those who don't use it.
Nevertheless, investing just five minutes to tweak your EMR setup can unlock an extra hour or two of daily productivity. Let's explore the steps to reclaim your valuable time.
Electronic Health Records play a substantial role in a physician's daily workload, often with tasks that do not necessarily require the expertise of an MD or DO. Moreover, some of these tasks do not directly enhance patient care and can be removed entirely.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has created a de-implementation checklist that highlights EHR processes and requirements that can be modified or removed to reduce administrative burden and promote more efficient, patient-centered care.
Here are 9 steps to alleviate physicians' burnout, allowing them to focus more on patient care and less on administrative tasks.
Physicians find themselves swamped with inbox notifications regarding test results ordered by other healthcare providers (especially for shared patients). These notifications place unnecessary burdens on physicians.
Take control of these notifications with these strategies:
Alert systems play a vital role in notifying healthcare providers of a wide range of events; some are directly related to clinical patient care, while others are more administrative or non-clinical. To ensure these alert systems serve their purpose efficiently and do not overwhelm healthcare professionals, retaining only those alerts with a proven favorable cost-benefit ratio is vital.
For example, medication alerts in EHR systems are crucial for patient safety. In contrast, non-clinical alerts related to hospital operations can lead to "alert fatigue" if not managed properly. To tackle this, prioritize alerts based on their significance. By retaining only the essential alerts, healthcare providers can concentrate on ensuring patient safety without being overwhelmed by less critical notifications, ultimately saving time and preventing alert fatigue.
Streamline the EHR login process. Enable features such as biometric recognition (fingerprint or facial) or single sign-on to reduce the time and effort to access patient records. This ultimately leads to less hassle and quicker access to the needed information.
Set your system’s auto-logout preferences to match your workflow. For example, if you're a physician who often spends 20-30 minutes in an exam room with a patient, you can set the system to keep you logged in for that time. This eliminates the need to log in repeatedly during your rounds.
Password reset requests can be frustrating. Reduce the frequency of mandatory password changes. Extending the time interval between password resets saves time. For added convenience and protection, consider implementing a trusted password manager.
Imagine a one-click ordering process rather than navigating numerous screens and forms when ordering tests. Reduce the need to input extensive clinical data before placing an order. If you've previously entered a patient's details, the system should automatically recall them for subsequent orders. By simplifying this process, you can improve efficiency and eliminate unnecessary steps.
Just as you don't need to repeatedly enter your login credentials when sending emails, the same convenience can be applied to specific prescription orders in your EHR. Customize your EHR to eliminate needing to re-enter your username and password while logged in. This simplification reduces redundancy and speeds up the workflow.
Streamline your patient notes by removing unnecessary links and data that may contribute to "note bloat." This practice ensures that your documentation remains concise and relevant for clinical purposes.
Make your life easier by embracing automation. Allow the system to automatically populate routine details, such as filling in standard information when the patient's data is already in the EHR. This streamlines the order-entry process and significantly reduces manual data entry, ultimately saving you valuable time.
Time is precious. Every minute spent wisely can make a significant difference in patient care and the overall well-being of physicians. But physicians often find themselves grappling with limited time, with EMR systems emerging as both a vital tool and a time-consuming adversary. Fortunately, a few strategic adjustments within your EMR system can significantly transform your healthcare practice's efficiency. These modifications yield precious hours, benefiting both healthcare providers and staff, ultimately enhancing the quality of patient care.
Glenwood's GlaceEMR, in particular, is designed to minimize the time spent reviewing and documenting patient data. Every feature is crafted to reduce time and clicks, while offering pertinent information for decision-making. Moreover, with GlaceScribe integrated into GlaceEMR, documentation becomes hands-free and effortless.
What sets GlaceEMR apart is its range of specialty-specific templates that can be further customized to suit your unique practice needs. Furthermore, it seamlessly integrates clinical data from various sources, including faxes, labs, medical devices, and other providers, providing a comprehensive view to facilitate informed decision-making.
Are you ready to transform your private practice? Book a demo today to discover how GlaceEMR and GlaceRCM can revolutionize your healthcare workflows and save you valuable daily hours.
Your journey toward enhanced efficiency and patient-centered care begins here.
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