Posted by Stephanie Jones on Mon, May 24, 2010 @ 05:58 PM
I write today from BEAUTIFUL (but windy) Colorado Springs, Colorado. The site of the 2010 Radiology Summit. When I haven't been hiding in my room trying to stay warm, I've been exhibiting, lunching and speaking with radiology practice managers and the medical billing professionals who support them. One thing is certain, there are plenty of options available to radiology pros when it comes to storing their paper files.
1. They can store documents in files and file folders in their offices.
2. They can store documents they don't access often or merely need to retain for seven years off-site in a storage facility.
3. They can add documents to their electronic health record (EHR) system, if there is a document management module.
4. They can scan and store all of their paper documents in an online document management system (like eBridge Solutions).
After speaking with several folks here, most people agree with me that option FOUR is the best. Why?
Storing paper files anywhere (home, office or off-site) can come at a tremendous cost. The price for lost office space (the files keep growing), running back and forth to find the file you need and putting paper at risk for theft or disaster are ALL real concerns for business owners.
Adding documents to an EHR system can 'trap' a physician in an EHR system they aren't happy with or cannot afford. And, what if that EHR system goes out of business? Then what? Or what if the documents are stored in a proprietary format that doesn't work in other systems? Well, they have a real problem.
Adding paper (and electronic documents) to a document management system like eBridge Solutions makes the most sense for so many reasons. Not only are clients free to work with any EHR or billing system, they can also integrate their documents with accounting, HR and other systems with a hot-key. In addition, they can store more than just medical records in a document management system. Contracts. Invoices. Resumes. Anything can be stored and kept separate from other documents -- but for one low cost.
Make sense? I think so. Now I'm going to grab my windbreaker and see who else I can get to agree with me...