by Daniel Kittell | Healthcare, Industry - Healthcare, News, Newsletter
The cyberattack on Ascension has highlighted the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures in the healthcare industry. This severe disruption, which led to widespread system outages across multiple states, underscores the vulnerabilities within our healthcare systems. To safeguard against such incidents, healthcare practices must adopt comprehensive cybersecurity strategies. Read on as we explore preventative measures and actionable steps for practices to enhance cybersecurity.
Routine Security Audits and Assessments
Healthcare practices must implement routine security audits and assessments to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities within healthcare systems. Conducting these audits helps ensure that security policies and protocols are up-to-date and effective against the latest cyber threats. It’s best to hire third-party cybersecurity experts to perform these audits. They’ll offer specialized knowledge and an unbiased perspective.
Cybersecurity Training for Employees
Human error remains one of the most significant cybersecurity risks, so educating employees is a necessary method of defense. Training should cover the basics of identifying phishing attempts, safe browsing habits, the importance of strong passwords, and protocols for handling sensitive information.
Comprehensive Incident Response Plans
An incident response plan is important for minimizing the impact of a cyberattack. The plan should outline the steps to be taken in the event of a breach, including roles and responsibilities, communication strategies, and recovery procedures. An effective response can contain the breach, prevent data loss, and restore normal operations more quickly.
Backup and Recovery Systems
Investing in reliable backup and recovery systems is essential to sustain operations in the event of a cyberattack. Practices should also test their recovery systems periodically to ensure data can be restored quickly and accurately. With strong backup protocols in place, healthcare organizations can minimize downtime and data loss.
Cybersecurity Improvements
It’s never too late to invest in cybersecurity improvements. Below are some recommendations for healthcare practices:
- Ensure all software and systems are updated with the latest security patches.
- Implement advanced firewall and antivirus solutions to defend against immediate threats.
- Restrict access to sensitive data to only those employees who require it based on roles and responsibilities.
- Shift to a zero-trust policy where verification is required from anyone attempting to access resources within the network.
- Establish a routine review process for cybersecurity policies and update them as needed to address evolving threats.
- Consider implementing AI-driven security systems that can detect and respond to threats in real-time.
The cyberattack on Ascension serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities within the healthcare industry as well as the importance of taking proactive measures to safeguard against threats. By prioritizing regular security audits, comprehensive employee training, incident response plans, and strong backup systems, healthcare practices can stay ahead of future attacks.
by Stephen Reed | Accounting News, Healthcare, Industry - Healthcare, News, Newsletter
Electronic Health Records (EHR) deliver enhanced efficiency, improved patient care, and streamlined workflows. However, the implementation of EHR systems is complex and challenging. In this article, we explore common challenges faced during EHR implementation and provide insights into overcoming these challenges to achieve a seamless transition.
Choosing the Right EHR System
The market is flooded with various options for EHR systems, so organizations need to carefully evaluate and select a system that aligns with their specific needs. This typically necessitates thorough research of vendors and systems, as well as having a grasp of the timeline needed for implementation. Additionally, you’ll want to establish a generous and flexible budget that allows for additional or emergency resources. Implementing a system that caters to the unique requirements of the practice with an expert vendor that is transparent and knowledgeable ensures a smoother transition.
Communication and Training
When implementing EHRs, effective communication and patience during the rollout are paramount. Here are some valuable tips for fostering smoother communication and ensuring successful training:
- Enable and Support the Launch Team: Healthcare providers should grant launch staff the authority to proactively manage unexpected challenges. A clearly defined escalation strategy helps to swiftly address emergencies and mitigate potential frustrations among both staff and patients.
- Develop resolution strategies: Go-live support teams should establish detailed protocols for identifying and resolving technical issues, including issues with both hardware and software. Designate individuals responsible for each type of problem and be share they share solutions for issues. Keeping everyone involved in all stages of identifying and solving issues will go a long way in making the transition as smooth as possible.
- Support from Leadership: Implementing EHRs can be disruptive to a working environment. Leaders who communicate effectively to staff and patients on successes at setbacks, who can acknowledge the benefits and the challenges of an EHR rollout, and who can make sure users are aware of available support staff if issues arise can ensure a smoother implementation experience.
Workflows
Emphasizing the significance of workflows is crucial for healthcare professionals as they strategize, document, and communicate information regarding EHR implementation. Recognize that healthcare workflows vary, with certain processes being more integral to the well-being of patients.
Consider these workflows that warrant special attention in your EHR implementation:
- Blood banks: Blood banks play a vital role where lives depend on efficient processes. Therefore, it is imperative to ensure that your EHR implementation thoroughly addresses the intricacies of this workflow.
- Medication Reconciliation: Before the EHR system goes live, organizations need to confirm that the system effectively tracks patients’ medications both pre- and post-admittance.
- Patient Movement: Tracking patients’ movements throughout their hospital stay is paramount for ensuring proper care. This aspect of the workflow is critical to maintaining a holistic view of patient care and facilitating effective communication among healthcare teams.
- Level of Care: Accurately documenting a patient’s stages, whether they are in the ER or ICU, significantly influences accurate medical billing and ensures appropriate levels of care.
- Careful Transport: The careful monitoring of how patients are physically transported within the facility deserves special consideration during EHR implementation so that patients are moved smoothly and securely.
by Stephen Reed | Healthcare, Industry - Healthcare, News
Healthcare practices rely on prompt payment for provided services to maintain financial health of their business. Point of service collections refer to the process of collecting credit card or cash payments at the time of service, rather than going through a billing cycle, which can take months. Below we’ll go over some of the ways that healthcare practices can use point of service collections efficiently in order to cut the billing cycle, improve cash flow, and get paid more quickly while providing a positive experience for patients.
Train Staff to Discuss Payment Options in a Way That is Polite and Professional
Staff members who interact with patients should be trained to discuss payment options and expectations in a polite and professional manner. They should be prepared to explain services as they relate to a patient’s bill and answer any questions the patient may have about the billing process. This helps the patient feel comfortable paying their bills without confusion, surprise, or frustration regarding the cost of care. Transparency and approachability also help to build positive relationships with patients.
Offer Multiple Payment Options
Accepting multiple forms of payment increases your chances of receiving payment more promptly. Offering flexibility with methods of payment, including credit cards, checks, debit cards, cash, and virtual payments like Apple and Google Pay makes payment more convenient for patients. You can also consider offering payment plans or financing options for patients who cannot afford to pay in full at the time of service. Offering payment options that fit a patient’s financial situation can help ensure timely payment and build trust with patients.
Be Proactive and Transparent About Payment Expectations
By providing pricing transparency and establishing financial responsibilities, you help to create a more successful patient/provider relationship. This information can be provided over the phone, during the appointment scheduling process, or through the practice’s website. Staff should be prepared to provide a price estimate upfront, discuss the various payment options available to patients, and emphasize that point-of-service payment is preferred.
Use Technology to Streamline Payments
Medical billing software with an integrated payment processing platform that allows for point of service payments is essential in collecting up-front payments from patients. Look for one that offers point of service collections as a default. You could also implement a patient portal where patients can view and pay their bills online. This will help streamline point of service collections, reduce administrative burdens, and improve collection rates.
by Daniel Kittell | Accounting News, Healthcare, Industry - Healthcare, News, Uncategorized
Medical debt in the United States outpaces student loans, auto loans, and credit card debt. And with more financial responsibility falling on the patient than ever before, healthcare practices are being forced to come up with new ways to collect money owed — for profitability, but also for patient flexibility in order to incentivize patients to seek the care they need without fear of how it will affect their pocketbooks. Below are some successful, reliable methods for improving payment processes while providing convenience and options for patients.
Flexible Payment Options Are a Post-Pandemic Reality
The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the move to more digital payment options for patients. Contactless payments were safe during the height of the pandemic, but they’re also convenient. Online portals, mobile apps, and mobile wallets allow patients to pay their medical bills quickly and safely without needing to stop by the office or wait on a phone call during specific business hours. Here’s how flexible payment options help greatly in retaining satisfied customers.
They Address Patient’s Financial Needs While Also Benefitting Providers
Flexible payment options include methods like splitting large balances into manageable monthly installments, and offering lump-sum discounts or automatic recurring payment plans. Not only does research back the success of these methods in collecting payment from customers, but flexible payment options also reduce bad debt and boost patient loyalty.
Digital Payment Options Translate to Quicker Payment Collection
Digital payment methods are fast and simple, and research backs that patients pay their medical bills more quickly when prompted via digital notification such as text, email, or automated phone call rather than through regular mail. When you send quick reminders through familiar digital platforms that patients already use, the result is typically quicker payment collections and fewer outstanding balances.
Reduce Paper Waste
The cost of healthcare billing can be cut drastically by moving from paper statements to digital reminders. Flexible payment options eliminate the need to over-send paper billing statements. For instance, implementing a card-on-file option can provide a way to process an outstanding balance with a patient’s stored credit card once insurance claims are determined. Additionally, many online payment solutions include email billing reminders, giving providers the opportunity to prompt collection of payments from one platform.
By leveraging technology to implement digital and automated payment methods, healthcare organizations can boost efficiency, cut billing expenses, and allow staff more breathing room to concentrate on improving patient experiences.
by Stephen Reed | Healthcare, Industry - Healthcare, News
The Covid-19 pandemic propelled the healthcare industry into telemedicine almost overnight. Now, more than two years later, doctors and health care practices and organizations are able to take a breath and consider how to optimize virtual visits for patients and physicians. One way to do this is by implementing a physician-led team-based care approach much like the systems used for in-office visits.
What is Team-Based Care?
Team-based care is an orchestrated office system that allows doctors and other in-office professionals to work together to take care of a patient. They accomplish this by each professional bringing their strengths to the task at hand, and performing at the highest level of their skill set and training. When the pandemic hit, the hard-won workflow of these office systems reverted to a routine rooted in the past, where physicians alone carried out most of the work.
Why is Team-Based Care Important?
For many physicians and practices, the pandemic forced health care providers to pivot to telehealth before a team-based approach could be established, but a physician-does-all system is not sustainable in a telemedicine environment any more than it’s sustainable in an in-office environment. The benefits of team-based care include increased accessibility, improved quality of patient care, increased patient access to care, improved team efficiency, improved satisfaction among patients and physicians, and reduced burnout among professionals.
Team-Based Care Provides an Advocate for the Patient
When a medical assistant or nurse accompanies a physician in an exam room, they are serving partly as an advocate for the patient, and this can be true for telemedicine environments as well. The nurse or medical assistant on the virtual call can be sure that the physician has provided all the care that was needed in the context of that visit.
Team-Based Care Strengthens Trust with Patients
Trust is a crucial component of the patient-physician relationship. Adding another clinical staff member to that dynamic during a telemedicine visit gives the patient a chance to establish a trusting relationship with an additional medical professional. This person can be an added ear for the patient — someone else they can turn to with questions or concerns. Additionally, when a member of the clinical staff can take care of electronic health records and documentation, the physician is free to focus solely on the patient, which further solidifies the trust built between them.
How to Implement Team-Based Care
Successful team-based care approaches center the patient and promote strong written and verbal communication. Each care team member must be appointed a clearly-defined role in which they use their skills at the highest capacity. Organization leaders should also develop procedures for communicating information about the patient, ensuring that each team member has access to the data needed to make informed care decisions. Finally, be sure the patient understands that they have the support of a team by emphasizing each team member’s role with the patient.
