Running a healthcare practice is not easy. As a doctor, nurse, dentist, or other medical professional, your top concern is caring for patients. But you also have to run an organized business. This means handling tasks like:
- Scheduling patient appointments
- Sending bills to insurance companies
- Keeping track of patient records
- Ordering medical supplies
- Managing staff schedules
- And more day-to-day jobs
Doing all these business tasks takes up a lot of time. It can take focus away from patients. This is where new healthcare technologies come in. They help make practices more efficient.
This article will explain:
- Popular tech tools for healthcare businesses
- How they help save time and earn more money
- Tips for picking the right tools for your practice
- Steps for starting new systems smoothly
Read on to learn how healthcare technology improves operations!
The Benefits of Healthcare Practice Tech Tools
Healthcare tech tools help manage and improve practices. They allow you to:
- Let patients book their own appointments online
- Store patient records securely in one place
- Send billing claims electronically to insurance companies
- Offer virtual visits through video chat platforms
- Automate sending reminders and newsletters to patients
- Accept credit card payments for co-pays and services
- Track important metrics about your business performance
The right tools can save your staff hours per day on manual tasks. This frees up their time to focus on patient care. The tools also help attract new patients, get paid faster, and prevent chaos.
The right tools can save your staff hours per day on manual tasks. This frees up their time to focus on patient care. The tools also help attract new patients, get paid faster, and prevent chaos.
Here are some of the major benefits of using great healthcare practice technology:
- Time Savings – Automates manual tasks like scheduling and billing to free up staff time.
- Increased Revenue – Get paid quicker by sending digital insurance claims immediately. Reduce missed charges too.
- Lower Costs – No need for paper records storage and transcription expenses.
- Better Organization – Digital patient histories and coordinated schedules prevent chaos.
- Personalized Care – Fast access to patient data helps provide customized treatment.
- Patient Loyalty – Engagement features like text reminders build relationships.
- Improved Compliance – Tools ensure you follow evolving healthcare regulations to avoid penalties.
- Data Insights – Detailed analytics help you make smarter strategic decisions.
The right tools provide everything needed to deliver exceptional patient experiences and optimized operations. Therapy progress notes examples can be helpful for practitioners to reference best practices in session documentation. Maintaining clear, organized notes aids in the continuum of care between providers.
Key Features to Look for in Healthcare Practice Tech
When researching tech systems for your healthcare practice, look for these key features:
- Scheduling – Tools to easily book appointments and send reminders. This makes scheduling smooth and simple.
- Patient Records – Ability to store patient health conditions, treatment history, and session notes all in one secure place. This data informs care.
- Virtual Visits – Video chat platforms to conduct remote consultations without the patient coming into the office. Offering this option provides convenience.
- Patient Outreach – Ways to automatically send emails, texts, and newsletters to educate and engage patients. This builds loyalty.
- Online Booking – Letting patients self-schedule appointments 24/7 through your website drives new business.
- Billing & Payments – Submit insurance claims electronically and accept credit card co-pays for faster payment.
- Business Analytics – Tools to generate reports on key metrics like revenue, patient visits, referral sources, and more. This data guides good decisions.
- Appointment Reminders – Automated phone, email, and text reminders reduce no-shows and keep patients engaged.
Look for systems that offer all these features in one integrated platform to really transform and optimize your practice.
Comparing the Top Healthcare Practice Software Vendors
Many companies offer healthcare practice software tools. Here is a breakdown of some of the top options to consider:
athenahealth
- Very popular cloud-based system
- Good for specialty practices like orthopedics and pediatrics
- Includes mobile apps for on-the-go access
AdvancedMD
- Robust system with billing and virtual visit features
- Used by large multi-location practices
- Custom reporting tools
Kareo
- Designed for independent and small practices
- Very affordable and easy to use
- Free basic practice management plan offered
eClinicalWorks
- All-in-one solution for any practice
- More affordable pricing than competitors
- Built-in population health management tools
DrChrono
- Integrates with medical devices and lab equipment
- iPad EHR and patient portal access included
- Popular with medical and dental practices
Do your research to find the vendor that best fits your practice’s size, specialty, and budget.
6 Tips for Picking the Right Healthcare Practice Software
Follow these tips when evaluating healthcare practice software systems:
- Make a list of must-have features so you pick tools that fit your needs. Don’t pay for unnecessary bells and whistles.
- Compare pricing carefully – look at one-time fees vs ongoing monthly subscriptions. Factor in total costs.
- Confirm the system integrates with tools you already use like your billing system, EMR, and payment processor.
- Verify the software is HIPAA compliant to protect private patient data with encryption and permissions.
- Prioritize systems with intuitive design so your staff doesn’t struggle with a confusing interface.
- Request demos before purchasing and test the systems out yourself. Make sure they truly match your team’s needs.
Following a defined selection process will help you avoid getting overwhelmed and overpaying.
Setting Up New Healthcare Practice Software
Once you pick a system, thoughtful preparation helps ensure a smooth launch:
- Map out your workflows and define how the new system will be used to accomplish tasks. This guides setup.
- Input and transfer your patient data into the new system so all records are in one place. For large databases, import in batches instead of all at once.
- Train your staff extensively through demos and manuals so everyone knows how to use the new tools properly.
- Roll out the system in phases – start with core features like scheduling and billing, then add other components over time.
- Get implementation support from your software vendor’s team to assist with complex setup, data migration, and troubleshooting.
- Gather feedback from your staff during and after launch about ways to improve workflows.
- Track metrics before and after implementation to confirm the system is delivering measurable benefits.
With proactive planning and training, your new software has the smoothest integration into daily operations.
Infographic created by
SpecialDocs Consultants, a concierge patient marketing company
Switching Healthcare Practice Software with Minimum Disruptions
When transitioning software systems:
- Input patient data into the new system in small batches to prevent slow performance from large imports.
- Run the old and new systems side-by-side for a bit during the early implementation stages to ease the switch.
- Focus initial staff training on the features they will use daily like scheduling and billing. Cover additional tools in later training.
- Ask your team for feedback to improve workflows in the new system.
- Lean on your software vendor for technical support to resolve issues quickly.
- Expect a period of adjustment as your staff gets fully up to speed on the new system.
With patience and vendor support, the learning curve will pass and the benefits will come through.
Answers to Common Healthcare Practice Software Questions
How long does implementing new software take?
Plan for 1-2 months for system setup, data migration, training, and testing before fully launching.
Can we keep using our old system at the same time?
Yes, it’s recommended to run both systems in parallel for a short transition period to ease the switch.
Do we need new computers or can it run on our current hardware?
Most systems work on standard PCs but confirm technical requirements. Hardware upgrades may help.
Should all patient data be entered at one time?
For large databases, import records in batches to prevent slow performance. Prioritize current patients first.
What training and support do vendors offer?
Look for onsite workshops, webinars, phone support, online knowledgebases, chat support, and ticketed requests.
Get Your Practice Running Seamlessly with Healthcare Tech
Caring for patients takes more than just medicine – to operate efficiently you need tools. The right healthcare practice technology provides a foundation to deliver great patient experiences. It also enables sustainable growth and performance.
Do your research to find an experienced software vendor that prioritizes forming long-term, collaborative partnerships. Take advantage of their expertise in evaluating, selecting, and implementing solutions tailored for your unique needs. With the right technology guiding your practice, you are set up for current and future success.
