The days of filling out paper forms at healthcare facilities are gradually fading away as the demand for paperless transactions rises. The healthcare industry, known for its heavy paperwork, is now embracing technology to digitize and streamline processes like patient intake and registration. This transition is applauded by doctors who often struggle with patients missing their appointments causing problems like loss of revenue for the clinic and not enough time to help patients properly. Thankfully, technology can help! In this blog, we’ll show you five simple ways to use these online forms and improve patient attendance.
Convenient appointment scheduling
According to a Black Book Market Research study, 93% of patients expect healthcare providers to use digital tools in engagement. Digital tools offer patients the flexibility to access forms at any time, whether it’s during the evening, weekends, or even during their lunch breaks at work. This means patients are not restricted by the clinic’s working hours and can fill out the forms when it suits them best. Patients can access the forms from their preferred devices, such as smartphones or computers, allowing them to fill them out at their own convenience from anywhere with an internet connection.
Promotes patient dedication
When patients choose to book their visits online, they benefit from a better patient intake process and which shows an increase in commitment from the patients. Additionally, there is a lower risk of patients forgetting about their appointments, and a better chance that they have already checked their calendar before scheduling. Moreover, when patients complete their forms online, they become more involved in their own care and the appropriate processes, giving them the power and control over their healthcare. This also helps clinics reduce no-shows as a patient’s access to bookings puts the onus on the client and not the clinic.
Reduces waiting room time
A busy waiting room can be stressful and time-consuming for both healthcare providers and patients, often resulting in patients skipping their appointments altogether and clinic staff become overwhelmed. However, the implementation of digital patient intake forms offers an effective solution to reduce waiting times significantly. Patients can conveniently complete all necessary paperwork from the comfort of their homes, whether they have an in-person appointment or a virtual one. This approach eliminates the need for them to arrive early or check-in to fill out their medical history, thus streamlining the entire intake process.
Improves data accuracy
Digital forms offer a solution to the challenges posed by deciphering difficult handwriting, reducing the occurrence of clerical errors caused by misread information. Patients can accurately input their data into a secured system with built-in form validation systems like the Porton Suite, which automatically identifies incomplete entries, such as date of birth, HIN numbers, and addresses. Moreover, the flexibility of digital forms enables patients to easily go back and edit any missing information using their laptops or smartphones. This not only ensures the accuracy of the data but also faster and uninterrupted transactions.
Secures patient information
Patient privacy concerns are a prevalent issue in clinical settings, and as a medical professional, adhering to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations regarding the security and confidentiality of protected health information (PHI) is crucial. It is essential to ensure that the digitization system complies with healthcare regulations, including HIPAA, to safeguard patients’ privacy effectively. Adopting a suitable digital document management system offers a secure approach to oversee the access and utilization of PHI, unlike paper-based records that are susceptible to damage and theft. Moreover, storing digitized patient forms in a secure system enables authorized personnel to access them as needed for patient care, ensuring efficient and protected information management.
Take away
The Porton suite serves as a vital bridge, fostering seamless communication between healthcare providers and their patients. This powerful solution caters to practices of all sizes, ranging from single location providers to branch hospital systems, enabling them to achieve remarkable workflow efficiency and prioritize patient care.
Our software seamlessly integrates with any EMR, ensuring HIPAA-compliant appointment reminders, two-way secured messaging, and tele-consultation capabilities. With competitive pricing plans tailored to the number of providers, there’s no need to delay any further. Take the next step and schedule a demonstration today to experience the transformative potential of the Porton suite.
Additional resources:
https://www.portonhealth.com/3-ways-to-optimize-efficiency-and-cost-with-an-online-booking-system/
https://www.portonhealth.com/ensuring-data-security/
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