Friday, September 4, 2015
Are you still using paper records and charts? You know this is old school. Paper is error-prone and can easily be thrown out by accident or even stolen.
If switching to new technologies scares you, it’s probably because you aren’t sure how to get from where you are to your digital future. You know you should make the move. Today’s technologies allow you to be more efficient in the way you treat patients. Storing your patient information digitally alleviates the accidental trashing, and they don’t weather over time or exposure. Digital files can also be securely stored, meeting all HIPAA standards and requirements.
When making the transition to digital, I suggest you begin with an easy-to-use practice management system that incorporates a digital feature for clinical charting. With a clinical charting tool, you should be able to create patient treatment plans, color code your charts, store essential treatment dates and track performed procedures. You also want to look for tools—such as those available in Easy Dental—that simplify processes to give you more time to focus on your patients.
With a system like this, you’ll be able to create clinical charts and notes, periodontal charting, treatment plans and progress notes for each of your patients. This is especially important as your practice grows and your number of patients increases, because your notes and charts will increase as well. Recording and storing these records digitally is so much easier and safer. This also reduces the time you and your staff take to find information and cuts the clutter of paper files and filing cabinets.
You’ll want to engage your patients in the digital system as well. Your clinical charting and notes tools should let you enter existing, recommended or completed patient treatments with just a few clicks of the mouse. It should be just as easy to quickly access this information and show your patients while they’re in your office.
During a patient exam, you’ll need the ability to post clinical notes at any time. Your progress notes need to be centralized in one location so you can easily find and review a patient’s dental history. In a well designed system, any information you post in a patient’s chart is instantly added into the system.
Instantaneous digital records also are important. Make you’re your system allows you to record diagnostic and summary information as well as print off custom patient charts, reports and letters you need for an insurance consultant or a dental professional referral.
We live in a digitally driven world. Don’t put off making the switch any longer.