Gone are the days of manual record-keeping, where providers would spend valuable time maintaining patient records on paper. With paper records, providers had to sift through many files when searching for a patient’s history. This contributed to the stress and burnout of the provider. Electronic health records revolutionized patient information management in healthcare.
With EHRs, providers could store, share, and access patient data on a safe and secure platform. Owning to their massive benefits, EHRs have started becoming widely popular among all practices. In this article, we will discuss EHRs in therapy practices and what features to look for when looking for an EHR for your therapy practice.
What is talkEHR for Therapy?
talkEHR for Therapy is an electronic health record system that CareCloud designed specifically for therapists and counselors to record, manage, and access patient data through a single platform. EHRs allow providers to coordinate seamlessly, improve patient outcomes, and increase patient engagement. Unlike manual records, electronic health records help practices achieve streamlined workflows, accurate documentation, and efficient communication. EHRs also allow providers to create personalized patient treatment plans, track patient progress, and improve clinical decision-making. This is why EHRs have become one of healthcare’s most widely adopted digital health technologies.
Features To Look for in a Therapy EHR
Physical therapists have many options when choosing EHRs for their practice. There are some generalized, cookie-cutter solutions, while some of them are specifically made for therapy workflows. It can be quite an overwhelming decision to choose the right EHR for your practice. To help you, we have done a roundup of the most important features you must look for when selecting an EHR for therapy practice. These include:
Therapy-Specific Workflow
Most EHRs available on the market are not specific to practices. They are cookie-cutter solutions that end up costing more than helping providers. When choosing an EHR for your therapy practice, choose one that caters specifically to therapy practices. It should offer tailored workflows for physical, occupational, and speech therapy to ensure seamless documentation.
Customizable Templates
An EHR made specifically for therapy practices must include the option of customizing templates. This helps providers save time on documentation by using a pre-existing template for every patient visit. These templates have customization options for assessment, treatment plans, progress notes, and other therapy-specific documentation. With the help of templates, providers can focus on providing exceptional care.
Interface
Software that is easy to use is well-liked by providers. A user-friendly and intuitive interface is essential for seamless integration into a practice’s workflow. If the software is easy to use, then providers do not have to waste much time navigating around its features or on training.
Data Security
Data security is vital in an industry filled with vulnerable data, such as healthcare. As a therapist, you must look for HIPAA-compliant EHRs that offer robust protection, ensuring patient data is secure. This builds trust among your patients and will likely increase the chances of your patient base growing.
Patient Management Portal
An EHR with an integrated patient management portal enables patients to schedule appointments, access treatment plans, view progress, and communicate effectively with their therapists. This helps increase patient engagement and, ultimately, improving patient outcomes.
Reporting and Analytics
If your EHR has comprehensive reporting and analytics tools, you can track patient outcomes, assess treatment progress, and monitor practice performance. With the help of this insight, you can not only improve clinical decisions but also elevate practice efficiency.
Cloud-based Solution
Cloud-based solutions offer the flexibility of accessing data from any location or device. Look for a solution that is HIPAA-compliant and helps secure patient data. A cloud-based EHR will help you access relevant data from any device if you are connected to the internet. It is also cost-effective, as you do not need to worry about storing the data in a physical location.
Medical billing
Proper medical billing is the foundation of a healthy practice. Thus, you must look for an EHR with an integrated medical billing and medical coding system. This helps streamline the billing process by automating claim submissions, tracking reimbursements, and maintaining regulatory compliance.
Mobile App
A mobile app for your EHR is an additional feature you need to look for. Not only does it allow you to access data from your phone, but it can also help you prepare in advance and save time. Update notes, manage appointments, and streamline care all from your phone.
Referral Management
Referrals transfer the care of patients from a referring provider to a secondary provider. It is a challenging aspect of care as it can involve a lot of errors. An EHR that contains a referral management system will help you efficiently manage referrals. Choose an EHR that lets you receive, index, and manage referrals seamlessly.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect EHR for your practice does not have to be a myth. If an EHR has the above features, it can seamlessly integrate into your practice and elevate your therapy workflow.
CareCloud offers an intuitive ICD-10 enabled and MU3 certified therapy EHR solution called talkEHR for Therapy. It is an end-to-end solution for therapy, rehab, and home healthcare made to meet the needs of therapists and improve their workflows, containing all the features mentioned above and more. Not just that, but it also has a dashboard that gives a view of total records, allowing you to manage records more efficiently.
