EHR

3 MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN CHOOSING EHR SOFTWARE

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 17:00:00 GMT

NOT KNOWING WHAT YOU NEED IN EHR SOFTWARE

Take time to understand the solution you need before choosing any software. Determine if you need fully integrated EHR software or best-of-breed software. Usually, the decision will depend on the challenges you want to solve, the structure of your practice, and the opportunities you want to seize.

For example, small and medium sized practices should consider fully integrated EHR software because this type of system can enable you to streamline your processes and improve productivity without breaking the bank.

CHOOSING THE WRONG EHR SOFTWARE VENDOR

When in the market for EHR software, picking the right vendor can mean the difference between an effective implementation and getting one that falls short of your practice’s needs.

Managers often assume that “big name” vendors guarantee big returns on investment. But some giant healthcare software companies are too large to provide specialized industry knowledge for small and medium sized practices. Choosing a vendor with in-depth knowledge of the healthcare industry can help you achieve rapid deployment, cost effectiveness and increased efficiency.

NOT INVESTING IN EHR SOFTWARE FOR THE LONG-TERM

When choosing EHR software, have realistic expectations of the costs and remember you’re investing to improve your business. Keep in mind that low cost solutions usually result in massive long-term payments. As such, choose a software developer who can provide quick and effective implementation, high returns on investment, and low total cost of ownership after implementation.

Also, look for software that can help you achieve your practice’s goals. Most importantly, work within your budget, and ensure you understand what you’re receiving upfront and anticipate when to expect the first return on your investment.

Need help choosing the best EHR software for your practice? Contact iHealthOne to speak with one of our healthcare IT professionals today.

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HOW ARE EHR SYSTEMS BENEFICIAL TO BOTH PATIENTS AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS?

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 19:04:00 GMT

But how exactly is the EHR beneficial to both patients and healthcare providers?

EHR BENEFITS TO PATIENTS

The error margin in EHR is considerably lower compared to the traditional paper records.

The use of EHR significantly improves communication among doctors as they can easily access a patient’s medical history. Moreover, multiple doctors can access and follow up on a patient’s medical care wherever they are with ease.

Perhaps the main benefits of electronic health records are that they are fast, efficient and readily available to offer critical information during medical emergencies. In many cases, patients fail to articulate themselves making it difficult to access personal medical details and provide a timely and effective response. It is entirely reasonable to say that EHR systems simplify a doctor’s legwork so that he/she can provide medical attention straightaway, considering each second counts in critical cases.

EHR BENEFITS TO HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

Medical errors associated with patients’ medical files such as loss, misplacement and transcription errors are some of the last things doctors ever want to hear. Solving this particular problem is probably one of the biggest benefits of electronic health records that medical providers enjoy.

Keeping track of patient’s filed medical information such as past and current procedures, health conditions, medication, allergic reactions etc. can be a daunting task to a doctor if the patient is under the care of multiple doctors. EHR makes it easy for doctors to share and discuss a patient’s medical information at the touch of a button.

Medical experts agree that the benefits of electronic health records, especially in emergency cases, have resulted in a significant increase in patients’ health-related safety.

At EHR1, we have been working successfully with health care providers in providing Dental EHR Software, Electronic Health Record Funding, and so on. We have developed efficient, budget-friendly ways for our clients to enjoy the help they desire.

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4 FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE TOTAL COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING EHR

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 19:06:00 GMT

Acquiring a new EHR system means investing a significant amount in software and resources. Therefore, as a healthcare provider, you need to get an accurate estimate of the potential return on investment before setting up a new electronic health record system.

An EHR system offers numerous benefits to healthcare providers, including increased efficiency and government incentives for EHR payments. In addition, the system offers higher patient satisfaction and puts you ahead of your competition.

Whether you’re looking to install a new EHR system or upgrading what you already have, the shift can come with additional costs that you didn’t plan for. To accurately allocate a budget and predict the project’s ROI, you must ready yourself for additional costs.

Here are four factors that can affect the costs of implementing EHR:

HARDWARE AND ADDITIONAL IT INVESTMENTS

When shifting to EHRs, healthcare providers need to invest in tech equipment. This ranges from servers for holding the software and storing data to computer workstations for physicians and doctors.

You may also need to upgrade your networks so that doctors can access EHR data anytime with no downtime or performance challenges. And if you use a cloud-based EHR, you may have to upgrade your internet bandwidth for data to be transferable back and forth.

SECURITY TOOLS

When your facility starts holding patients’ health information electronically, you need to invest in state-of-the-art security systems to protect data and comply with HIPAA regulations. Some of the security measures include firewalls, encryption tools, network monitors and computer anti-theft tools.

EHR TRAINING

Doctors, nurses and your employees will require thorough training on how to use the newly installed EHR system and the best security practices. After all, your facility can’t make the most of the IT investment if employees don’t know how to use it optimally.

A NEW LEARNING CURVE

Switching to an EHR is a big change, and even with the best training, it will take time for people to get used to the new workflow and begin working efficiently. At first, efficiency could reduce and you may have to hire temporary staff until your current employees get accustomed to the new system.

Switching to an EHR system from paper records is a great move that requires both resources and time. For assistance with this, please contact EHR1 and speak to our professionals.

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US TODAY!

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ARE YOU DOING ALL YOU CAN TO PROTECT YOUR PATIENTS?

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 16:54:00 GMT

FOR DOCTORS AND THEIR BUSINESS ASSOCIATES

Late nights, early mornings, long hours – we do everything we can to preserve the health of our patients. With a focus completely on serving clients and promoting their needs, it can be easy to put HIPAA compliance on the back-burner. This is why, at EHR1, we offer solutions to handle HIPAA compliance for you so that your focus can stay where it needs to be: your patients. It’s not just doctors who need to be HIPAA compliant, though. According to the act, any entity that creates, transmits, or collects PHI must be compliant. However, all of their business associates must also be compliant too. That includes third-party consultants, email clients, and even attorneys.

WE HAVE CONSULTANTS WAITING TO HELP

We know that nothing sounds quite as boring to most people as regulatory compliance, electric health records software, regulations, or rules. We thrive on it, though. Our consultants know the ins and outs and can help with a specific HIPAA compliance solution for your practice no matter how big or small. EHR1 helps with all areas of HIPAA: Physical Safeguards, Technical Safeguards, Technical Policies, and Network & Transmission Security. If you are feeling overwhelmed, like you can’t keep up with Regulatory Compliance, or like you’re stuck with a system from years ago that isn’t offering you all the security your practice needs, we can help.

RISK PROTECTION AND COMPLIANCE AUDIT

We know you want to protect your clients, but you should be looking to protect yourself, too. Have you put your electronic health records through a Security Risk Analysis test? HIPAA actually requires this check-up procedure in order for you to diagnose any problem areas in your system before issues arise. By collecting information, we can assess your risk for you and create a custom solution to manage any potential risk. Through our HIPAA hosting solutions, HITECH security expertise, and audit-able HIPAA compliant infrastructure, our consultants can tailor a solution specifically for your practice. At iHealthOne, we pride ourselves in keeping you secure and HIPAA compliant so that you can focus on what you actually want to focus on. Contact us for a consultation today and make the first step toward higher security and HIPAA compliance for both you and your patients.

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US TODAY!

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WHY YOUR PRACTICE NEEDS EHR SOFTWARE

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 17:07:00 GMT

Electronic health records, or EHR, allow physicians and medical offices to digitally store patient medical charts. There are many reasons why you should use EHR in your practice. EHR software simplifies patient records by reducing the need for paper files. Here are a few reasons why your practice needs EHR software.

ACCESS PATIENT RECORDS MORE EASILY

Electronic health records allow you to store all patient records in one place. Spend more time with patients and less time combing through paper records to find the correct file. EHR software takes up less physical space in an office, and patient files can contain more information than a limited paper chart.

VIEW MORE DATA

EHR software allows users to see much more than a patient’s medical chart. In addition to the patient’s medical history, electronic health records can show everything from medications and treatment plans to laboratory results. EHR software allows doctors to share information with other health providers too.

STREAMLINED SERVICES

Since electronic health records allow for secure communication between different physicians and offices, appointments can go much more smoothly. Streamlining services reduces the chance of excessive medical testing and unnecessary questions. Patients can go from provider to provider without having to repeat their entire medical history.

BETTER CARE

EHR software will also result in better care for the patient. Electronic health records have more detailed information than paper charts, so the provider can better prepare for an appointment. This cuts out time spent during appointments updating records.

PATIENT PORTALS

Patient portals are another function of EHR software. A patient portal allows patients to access their own medical records online. Patients can access their laboratory results, schedule appointments and send secure messages. This new form of communication allows patients to be more proactive about their health and their care.

LEARN MORE

EHR software is the future of medicine. It allows you to communicate with patients and other medical providers. Streamline patient record keeping and appointments with electronic health records. Make sure your practice is up to date and schedule a consultation with EHR1 for more information.

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US TODAY!

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CYBER-SECURITY IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUR DENTAL PRACTICE

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 17:58:00 GMT

If you run a dental practice, keeping your computer systems secure at all times is essential. Due to the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber-threats, it’s more important than ever to keep your computer systems secure. However, if you’re unsure how to protect your data, you certainly aren’t alone.

The data that you store on your computer systems contains highly sensitive information about your patients, which can make it a target of hackers. Not only do these records contain important identifying information of your patients that could be targeted by identity thieves, but they also contain protected medical records that are protected by HIPAA.

PROTECTING YOUR DATA REQUIRES MORE THAN JUST AN ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE

An effective antivirus program can play a major role in protecting your data and improving dental practice security, but it’s not the whole story. You need to make sure that your employees are trained on how to avoid malware on the web, avoid falling prey to phishing, and are well-educated on the importance of cyber-security. In addition, it’s essential to make sure that your employees are familiar with how to identify suspicious emails and ensure that they avoid clicking on links from an unknown sender.

WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED IN THE FUTURE?

While cyber-security threats are likely to become more advanced as time goes on, health IT security systems are likely to advance as well, which means that there will be new ways to protect your computer system from hackers. For instance, antivirus programs are becoming increasingly effective at detecting new forms of malware, and many antivirus programs now make it possible to flag websites that could be dangerous.

These programs are likely to become far more sophisticated, which is likely to thwart a large portion of cyber-attacks. Furthermore, IT technology is being increasingly utilized for a wide range of dental devices, such as dental cameras, CNC machines, and 3D printers used in the dental industry. As a result, the list of dental devices that you’ll need to keep secure is likely to increase considerably in the future. Luckily, you’ll have the opportunity to protect these smart devices with cybersecurity technologies that are more sophisticated and effective than ever.

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TOP 4 BENEFITS EHR SOFTWARE FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED PRACTICES

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 18:21:00 GMT

From the very first day you implement EHR software, you’ll let out a sigh of relief once you realize its amazing potential and how it can transform your practice. You may experience some minor drawbacks along the way, but these are nothing compared to the many benefits you’ll achieve.

Below are some of the benefits healthcare facilities acquire from the use of EHR Software:

1. LESS CLUTTER

With EHR software, you no longer have to worry about dealing with heaps of paperwork. EHR software takes care of all the paperwork for you in real-time. Eventually, all the clutter that was consuming your space becomes a thing of the past.

2. FEWER ERRORS

Maybe you’ve heard of a particular incident where the doctor had a mistype, misunderstood, or otherwise forgot a crucial piece of health data. EHR software is specifically tailored to help you avoid these mistakes. EHR systems support artificial intelligence, which sifts through and analyzes massive patient care data to ensure there’s no sign of errors and every information is accurate.

Some of the data analyzed include laboratory and diagnoses tests, current and past prescriptions, medical procedures, and foods a patient should avoid when taking certain medications. As a consequence, healthcare providers find it easier to access a patient’s complete health information and have their health problems addressed in less time.

3. BETTER PATIENT CARE

Among the top benefits of using EHR software is its ability to provide optimum patient care. The easy and fast access to a patient’s complete records puts an end to the boring follow-ups of the same paperwork at the doctor’s office. Each staff can view which diagnostic tests a patient has had, along with the treatments they’re taking in real-time. As a result, you get improved patient outcomes and better patient care.

4. GET EVERYONE ON THE SAME PAGE

As your practice grows and as you employ more staff, it can be overwhelming to keep everyone on the same page and working towards a common goal. EHR software allows for effective coordination among providers, which results in more accurate diagnoses and better overall patient care. Eventually, everybody also finds it easy to keep up with the goals put in place by the practice.

As you can see, there are many ways your healthcare facility and its staff could benefit from the use of electronic health records software. The fun part about this is the fact that it would only take a few days to notice a striking difference. To learn more about how your medical practice could benefit from EHR software, contact EHR1 today!

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US TODAY!

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THE UNFORESEEN COSTS OF STARTING A NEW PRACTICE

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 18:00:00 GMT

If you’re planning to start a new dental practice, you will need new practice management software for increased efficiency in your business. Unfortunately, the cost of hardware for dental practices is not cheap, and many dentists fail to put this into consideration.

Many doctors rush to know how much software costs without factoring in all the additional costs associated with client-server software. A research performed by Gartner Group, a credible research company, established that management software represents less than 10% of the entire cost for most client-server installations.

Here is a breakdown of the cost associated with getting new practice management software.

• Implementation fees: This accounts for 43% fees and includes software purchases like Microsoft Office and data conversion costs.
• Hardware: This accounts for 26% of the total cost and can change due to constant upgrades of management software.
• Training: You may spend up to 1% on fees to train your employees on how to use new features. This can take at least half a day.
• IT services: This is an ongoing expense for any dental practice as they always need new software installations and configuration. It accounts for 14% of the total cost.
• Software license fees: This accounts for 9%, but may be higher depending on the software purchase. Always remember you don’t own the software but have a right to use it.
• Maintenance: This accounts for 7% fees and is the monthly fees that IT companies or dental software firms charge to ensure your software is running correctly.

However, this breakdown doesn’t include costs for patient communications, electronic statements, and e-claims. Many modern dental practices are investing in this for improved patient treatment quality; thus, you should consider factoring in their costs.

Price and practice management software

The prices of dental practice management software differ depending on the product and its ability to provide you with robust features. When shopping for software, look at its features as some may not be essential or necessary to your practice.

Additionally, before buying your software, look out for excellent customer support and a free demo to get a feel of how it will help your dental practice. Ultimately, ensure you consider all the costs you will incur over three years before beginning to compare prices of different software.

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3 TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE CHANGING DENTISTRY

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 17:57:00 GMT

Times have truly changed. There was a time when you had to physically go to a dentist’s office to book an appointment. Alternatively, you could call the office to book the appointment, but that method was time-consuming as waiting for the operator to connect you to the dentist was inefficient. Fast forward to 2019, nowadays, you can use your smartphone to connect with your dentist directly. Sometimes, you don’t even have to visit the office since your dentist can write you a prescription directly, and you can pay through your phone. Here are 3 more technologies that are transforming dentistry:

1. 3D PRINTERS

Instead of ordering custom veneers, crowns, tooth replacements, aligners from a manufacturer, dentists can make these items themselves using a 3D printer. This technology helps save time. Instead of waiting for ages for the dentist to get veneers or crowns delivered at a later date, they can be installed on the same day. The dentist only needs to get the measurements and specifications, write them in the 3D printer, and let the machine do its work.

2. INTRAORAL SCANNERS

Nowadays, dentists don’t have to make clay and wax molds of your teeth for reconstructive oral surgery. They can use 3D digital impressions. The procedure is not invasive as the dentist just needs to take a 3D scan of your mouth by placing the scanner above your open mouth. The 3D image is projected directly onto the computer, and the dentist can begin preparations for oral surgery.

3. LASER TREATMENT

It is common practice for dentists to use stitches to seal an oral wound after invasive surgery. However, there is another way that dentists can do oral surgery. Instead of using scalpels and other traditional surgery tools, they can use laser technology for reconstructive surgery. The laser can be used to reshape gums and get rid of tooth decay.

These technologies are improving dental practice by reducing the amount of time it takes to perform oral surgery. They are also preferred by patients because they are not invasive. If you don’t have any of the above technologies in your dental practice, you should consider investing in them because they can help you attract more clients.

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IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHCARE AUDITS AND HOW THEY CAN AFFECT YOUR DENTAL PRACTICE

Thu, 20 Feb 2020 18:13:00 GMT

WHY HEALTHCARE AUDITS ARE BECOMING A ROUTINE

Most medical practitioners and dentists are wondering why healthcare audits are being frequently conducted. In 2010 the FBI estimated that nearly 10 per cent of total money spent on healthcare arises due to fraud. Since then; healthcare audits have been conducted more frequently to identify fraud, recoup overpayments and stop fraud. Therefore, it is likely that your dental practice will have to be audited.

WHY MY DENTAL PRACTICE?

You will probably be alarmed after receiving a notice of an imminent audit. So, why your practice? First, take the audit as a good thing, since it provides an opportunity to demonstrate to state regulators that your patients are getting high-quality services. Second, acknowledge that the audit aims at checking the dental plan, and they don’t focus on a specific dental practice.

TRIGGERS OF AN AUDIT

The most significant trigger for any dental claim audit will be data mining. The process of checking large databases to come up with new information. Another trigger is when an insurance or state insurance company files a patient’s complaint.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN AUDIT

Start by assuming your dental practice will have to undergo an audit at one point. Thus, improve your documentation. Also, conduct regular internal checks done by an independent hired party. A third-party auditor is less likely to be biased; hence will offer better feedback than an internal auditor would.

WHAT AUDIT RESULTS MEAN FOR YOUR PRACTICE

During an audit, about 75 patient files will be evaluated. If everything is in place, there is no further action. On the contrary, if auditors discover incorrect billing, your practice will be owing to insurance providers some money.

If the worst happens and the auditors reveal consistent errors in your billing practices; they might report your practice with fraud. A fraud report will warrant a criminal investigation which could ruin your business and reputation.

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WHAT IS HIPAA AND HOW TO COMPLY WITH THE HIPAA SECURITY RULE

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 18:02:00 GMT

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a US legalization that requires healthcare professionals and institutions to secure health information from deletions and data breaches. This law has become relevant in today’s dental practice due to increased data breaches caused by ransomware and cyber attacks.

The law’s requirements on HIPAA can be demanding and challenging to understand, but we’ve made it easy for you below. There are three areas you need to be compliant with HIPAA.

• PHYSICAL – these are measures that prevent loss of devices and physical theft on medical information e.g. keeping workstations away from the public eye and limiting physical access to computers.

• ADMINISTRATIVE – measures that make sure patient data is accessible to authorized personnel and is correct. For example, identifying which employees have access to medical information.

• TECHNICAL – these are measures that protect your devices and networks from unauthorized access and data breaches e.g. encrypting files that you upload to a cloud or send via email.

The components above represent every aspect of your dental practice from your record-keeping and policies to your building safety and technology. HIPAA also requires all your staff members to work together to protect patient data and be on the same page.

HIPAA COMPLIANCE

The administrative, physical, and technical requirements for HIPAA security may be a lot of information for you to take in. Additionally, it can be overwhelming for you to handle its compliance in your dental practice solely.

To make it easier, HIPAA compliance is an organization-wide issue. This means all your employees will have to understand and know their role in securing dental information. Alternatively, you can outsource your HIPAA compliance to consultants, web services, and IT contractors.

This ensures your dental practice meets the required standards and makes your life easier. However, outsourcing your HIPAA responsibilities doesn’t mean you ignore your legal obligations. Your company should always stay on top of any HIPAA changes in recommendations and adopt advanced practices to improve medical information security.

Ultimately, ensure your dental practice upgrades all its old technology for better and efficient systems that contribute to medical information security.

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3 WAYS TO PRIORITIZE COMPLIANCE IN YOUR DENTAL PRACTICE

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 18:18:00 GMT

Dental Practice compliance has become increasingly important as more and more practices embrace different administrative roles. Every team needs to understand the importance of maintaining compliance from staying up-to-date with HIPAA, labor, and OSHA regulations to documentation standards and other compliance-related issues.

However, it can be hard to keep up with all the dental practice compliance issues, especially if you are using a personal approach instead of an organizational one. Here are three ways you can create a culture of compliance without losing clients or money in your dental practice.

1. ASSIGN A COMPLIANCE OFFICER

One person can’t be an expert in all areas of dental practice compliance. Thus, it’s essential to dedicate a team member that is responsible for maintaining compliance in an assigned area. For example, you can have a compliance officer that is in charge of HIPAA and another in charge of OSHA.

Breaking down roles like this ensures your practice is in line with all the laws, and in case of any issues, they can be addressed before its’ too late. Additionally, your compliance officer should have documentation and organization skills to maintain documentation effectively.

Compliance officers are also responsible for training new team members and annual team retraining.

2. PURCHASE COMPLIANCE SOFTWARE

Due to advancements in technology, there are various resources and products that you can use for compliance in multiple areas. For example;

• OperaDDS, DDS Rescue and OperaDDS can be helpful in HIPAA compliance
• AutoSDS is essential for OSHA compliance
• DentalPost can assist you in hiring and recruiting team members

Unfortunately, many organizations forgo buying these resources to save on costs. However, not having appropriate software and resources can cost you more than the prices of these products if an issue arises in the future.

3. ENCOURAGE PATIENT COMPLIANCE

It’s common to find patients giving a false acceptance of services to avoid voicing their concerns about your treatment or services. To prevent such patients from leaving your practice, ensure you use patient-friendly terminology and a friendly, approachable manner when conversing and clearly explain the importance of recommended treatment and care.

Not keeping up with dental practice compliance is a multifaceted problem that practices need to stay on top of to avoid future issues.

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CHOOSING THE RIGHT PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE IS ESSENTIAL

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 18:03:00 GMT

You need to make sure that you manage your improving dental practice as effectively as possible, and having the latest software is an essential part of that. Modern dental practice management software programs can help you keep track of your patients’ appointments, manage your practice’s finances, store patients’ records, update your patients’ files, and more! In addition to making sure that the software is HIPAA-compliant, it’s important to make sure that the software’s other features are right for your practice.

MAKE SURE THAT THE SOFTWARE HAS RECEIVED GOOD REVIEWS

Not only do you need to make sure that the program is reliable, but you also need to ensure that it has all of the capabilities that your practice will need. Also, read reviews on both the company’s website and on secure third party sites.

PICK A SOFTWARE THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO GO PAPERLESS

Going paperless can reduce the amount of storage space that your practice requires, which could save you money. In addition, going paperless helps to ensure that patient files will not be lost or damaged, especially if you use cloud storage. Not only that, but switching over to paperless data storage helps to protect the environment as well.

ENSURE IT WILL SAFELY STORE PATIENT DATA

It’s important to make sure that you choose a dental practice management software program that will keep your patients’ data secure. However, it’s also important to use an effective antivirus program. Therefore, ensure that you’ll be able to use cyber-security software along with your dental practice management software.

WE HAVE EXACTLY WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR

Dental practice management software programs vary significantly in price and quality. Luckily, you can be sure that our software offers a combination of affordability and quality that’s exactly what you’re looking for. Not only do we offer affordable dental practice management software, but we also help to improve your practice’s security, allow you to go paperless and offer software that can be used along with an antivirus program. We have also received excellent reviews from our customers!

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US TODAY!

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TIPS FOR UPGRADING FROM PAPER TO CLOUD STORAGE

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 17:52:00 GMT

One great way to reduce the number of paper files at your dental practice is by storing your data electronically. Scanning files will allow you to upload data to your computer system, which can reduce or eliminate your paper file storage. Not only that, but your practice can even take an additional step to ensure that these files can always be accessed by using cloud storage. Here are a few important things that you should know about storing your data digitally:

YOU CAN SCAN PAPER FILES YOU ALREADY HAVE

Even if you already have lots of paper files with patient information and other forms of data that are essential for running your practice, it isn’t too late to scan them and store them digitally instead. After you’re finished doing that, you can shred the paper files, which will mean that you’ll no longer need space to store hard copies of the information.

USING DIGITAL STORAGE REQUIRES CYBER-SECURITY

If you use a file scanning program instead of keeping paper files, it’s possible to keep the digital data just as or more secure than paper files. However, this will only be true if you take steps to protect your cyber-security, such as using a high-quality antivirus program and training your employees on how to avoid phishing and malware. Keep in mind that these types of cyber-security threats are likely to become more sophisticated as time goes on, which means that you need to stay informed about the latest cyber threats that could pose a risk to your practice.

CHOOSE YOUR STORAGE PROVIDER CAREFULLY

It’s essential to make sure that you choose a trustworthy cloud-based dental software program, which will be responsible for the safekeeping of your practice’s data. In order to know that a cloud storage program is right for your practice, it’s important to make sure that their data storage policies are HIPAA-compliant. You’ll also want to read some reviews of the cloud storage program, and it’s essential to make sure that you’ll have enough digital storage space for all of your practice’s files.

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HOW IMPROVEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY WILL IMPACT DENTAL PRACTICES

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 18:01:00 GMT

If you are a dentist, it’s important to be familiar with the ways that improvements in technology could impact your business. While many ways that technology will affect you are positive, there are also some concerns that you need to be aware of in the digital age. Luckily, having an improving dental practice in the modern era is very possible if you follow a few essential tips.

WHAT DO THESE TECHNOLOGICAL IMPROVEMENTS MEAN FOR YOUR DENTAL PRACTICE?

Improvements in technology can reduce or eliminate paper waste, and these changes can also make it possible to have a better-organized practice. In addition, the quality of dental procedures will improve as years go on, and the sky is the limit when it comes to the advances in the technology that’s used to treat your patients.

In fact, improved dental technology will make it possible to perform procedures faster and more effectively, which will make going to the dentist far more convenient for patients. Technological advances could even improve public dental health since people with dental phobia often avoid essential dental care due to anxiety, which could be greatly reduced by improvements in technology.

It’s estimated that around 20% of patients have some level of dental phobia, which makes them less likely to seek dental care. Luckily, improved technology can make it easier for these patients to seek treatment! Nanotechnology, improvements in sedation dentistry, laser dentistry, and more precise dental equipment will make going to the dentist less anxiety-inducing for patients who struggle with a dental phobia.

WHAT ARE SOME IMPORTANT CONCERNS TO BE AWARE OF?

While digital data storage makes it easier to have a well-organized, improving dental practice, improperly storing data electronically could result in sensitive information being compromised by hackers. Luckily, this scenario can often be prevented by using an effective antivirus program and training your employees on how to avoid malware and phishing. There also will be times when you’ll need to buy new software and/or technologies in order to keep up with the competition, but if you do, you can expect the costs to be well worth it for your practice!

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LOOKING TO IMPROVE YOUR PRACTICE? TRY USING CLOUD-BASED SOFTWARE

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 21:55:00 GMT

To stay ahead of the competition, businesses need to keep up-to-date with the latest technology. Server-based software systems will make life easy for you and your staff. However, these systems are dependent on other hardware and servers; which are based in the office.

Furthermore, they need constant upkeep and updating. That is why most industries are adopting cloud-based software. It is time for your dental practice to enjoy the benefits of cloud-based dental software.

ABOUT THE SOFTWARE

Cloud-based software, popularly referred to as ‘SaaS’, enables its user to access software applications which are on shared computing using the internet. Thus, the business owner has access to their enterprise applications from any location at any time.

HOW CLOUD-BASED SOFTWARE WILL IMPROVE YOUR DENTAL PRACTICE

• BETTER ACCESSIBILITY

Using a server-based software means a dentist will have to be present at the workstation to access any files and data he or she may need. On the other hand, with Cloud-based software, you can have access to any files you need at any time from anywhere. Convenient, right?

• BOOSTS CONFIDENTIALITY

In any medical practice, confidentiality is paramount. Cloud-based software helps protect records and patients’ information. You no longer have to worry about manually backing up any files. The programs of the software are compliant with the set HIPAA rules. Besides, backups are automatically done at specific intervals in the day.

• EASY TO USE

The first thing to check before adopting new technology is the ease of use. Server-based software needs a server to operate. Servers take up much space, and their maintenance could be expensive. Cloud-based dental software does not require the use of bulky equipment; hence it doesn’t take up space in your dental practice.

• ALLOWS FOR SCALE

With reliable and easy to use dental software, you get more free time, which you can use to find ways to grow your practice. Cloud-based software has numerous helpful features which enable you to reactivate past patients, acquire new ones, and retain existing ones. You can then focus on developing a robust marketing plan for your practice.

HOW TO EASE TRANSITION

Using Cloud-based dental software has more advantages than using server-based software. Its accessibility, flexibility and scalability remain unmatched. Thus, if you are considering making the transition, consider seeking expert advice. They will recommend which equipment you need and how to optimize your investment.

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NANOTECHNOLOGY COULD REVOLUTIONIZE THE FIELD OF DENTISTRY

Thu, 05 Dec 2019 18:49:00 GMT

As a dentist, it’s important to keep up with the latest technological advances in order to have an improving dental practice, and nanotechnology is truly on the cutting edge. While these technologies are in their infancy today, they could play an integral role in the dentistry of tomorrow. Not only that, but the field of nanotechnology is advancing rapidly, which means these technologies may become easily available to dentists within the relatively near future.

WHAT EXACTLY IS NANOTECHNOLOGY?

Nanotechnology refers to devices that are between one and a hundred nanometers in diameter. A nanometer is a measurement that’s equal to one billionth of a meter. Yes, you read that right. These devices are so tiny that you would actually need a microscope to see them!

HOW COULD NANOTECHNOLOGY IMPROVE DENTISTRY?

One way that it could improve dental care is by improving the effectiveness of dental cleanings. Nanobots could be used to scrape a collection of bacteria off of teeth, which is known as the biofilm. This could allow patients to have a much whiter smile and have far better dental health overall.

Not only that, but these microscopic robots could even be used to clean some exceptionally difficult to reach areas of the mouth, such as the isthmus. This technology is currently being studied by the University of Pennsylvania. Nanotechnology can also be used for tissue engineering, which could make oral surgeries more effective. That’s because nanotechnologies are currently being developed that could improve both healing times and patient outcomes!

In addition, nanotechnology has the potential to lead to improved composites. That’s because nanoparticles make it possible to simulate the cell structure of genuine teeth to a certain extent, which can allow for a much more natural-looking appearance. This technology can also allow the devices to appear far smoother than they would otherwise.

Nanotechnology even has the potential to improve the quality of dental imaging. That’s because nanodevices can be built to combine nanotechnology and radio technology, which can improve x-rays and other forms of dental imaging. This can allow you to get images of your patients’ teeth that are more precise than ever.

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WHAT FEATURES SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN EHR SOFTWARE?

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 16:56:00 GMT

The dental EHR market is an exciting area of study since dental providers have not adopted EHR at the same rate as other medical professionals. The main reason for the low adoption rates of dental EHR is the underdevelopment of the market, which is evidenced by the existence of very few EHR applications and modules appropriate for dentists.

What features should dental providers look for in dental EHR?

1. INTEROPERABILITY

Interoperability connotes the ability of a dental EHR to exchange and share information with other EHR platforms. Interoperability is a function of all EHRs and is not specific to dentistry. However, dental EHRs should consider interoperability to take advantage of incentive programs.

2. DECISION SUPPORT

Decision support is an important application of dental EHR that captures, displays, analyzes, and stores digital images and consequently proposes treatment options. Dentistry practices which utilize a mapping system can benefit from decision support applications by analyzing images such as an X-ray to generate a course of treatment that is evidence-based.

3. TREATMENT PLANNER

Planning of treatment in dentistry is vital in supporting care transitions, quality improvement, population health management, and coordination of care. Dental EHR can generate valuable data based on factors such as a patient’s fluoride exposure, intake of sugar, frequency of treatment, and most recent restorations to allow for planning of treatment.

4. E-PRESCRIBING

E-prescribing allows dentists to experience numerous benefits such as reduced prescription errors, and reduced amount of time spent prescribing, adjusting, and refilling medication orders. Incorporating an e-prescribing module in dental EHR is a way of coordinating care, enhancing the quality of care, and avoiding medical errors.

E-prescribing allows dental EHRs to alert dentists to the risks associated with the prescription of certain medications to their patients. Although the risk of adverse effects is minimal in dental practices, there is still a risk of adverse drug events from prescribing the two main types of drugs – painkillers and antibiotics.

The dental EHR market does not have the range of choice present in other markets in EHR. The features outlined above can offer benefits to dentists seeking to adopt dental EHR.

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WHY OFFERING LASER DENTISTRY CAN IMPROVE YOUR PRACTICE

Thu, 07 Nov 2019 18:34:00 GMT

If you wish to improve your dental practice, utilizing laser technology can be a great way to make that happen! That’s because laser dentistry can greatly improve the quality of the care that you offer patients, and it can be used to treat certain dental conditions, perform oral surgery, and whiten patients’ teeth.

LASER TECHNOLOGY MAKES ORAL SURGERY MORE PRECISE

In recent years, lasers have become commonly used by dentists and oral surgeons. Lasers produce intense heat that can be used to cut tissue. There are different types of surgical lasers available, which include products that are specifically designed for oral surgeries.

LASER TOOTH WHITENING IS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE

Lasers make it possible for teeth to be whitened more quickly than when chemical whitening is used alone. While laser whitening technology is typically used in conjunction with conventional methods of tooth whitening, the laser light will allow the chemicals used for the whitening of teeth to work much more quickly and effectively than they would otherwise. This can allow patients to get the perfect white smile they’re looking for much faster!

LASERS CAN BE USED TO TREAT GUM DISEASE AND TOOTH HYPERSENSITIVITY

Tooth hypersensitivity is a common condition, which can make it difficult to drink or eat anything that’s too hot or cold. Laser treatments have been effective for many people who suffer from this condition, and lasers also can be extremely useful in the treatment of gingivitis and other forms of gum disease.

HOW LONG HAVE LASERS BEEN USED BY DENTISTS?

Lasers have been used by dentists since 1989. However, while they have been approved for use in oral surgery, other uses of them have not yet been approved by the ADA. Despite this, lasers are now widely used in dentistry for many types of procedures.

Laser dentistry has become more sophisticated in recent years. In fact, modern surgical lasers that are used in dentistry allow for exceptionally fast healing times and can minimize patient discomfort. Additionally, some lasers that are currently used in oral surgery minimize patient discomfort to the point that local anesthesia is not needed for certain types of procedures!

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TOP 4 MYTHS ON EHR DEBUNKED

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 18:05:00 GMT

Electronic health records have gained popularity over the last few years as more practices use them to increase efficiency, reduce medical errors, and improve patient care. Regrettably, as with most new technology, numerous myths and misconceptions surround EHR and need to be debunked. If you are unsure about EHR systems and their functionality, do not fall prey to the myths, contact the experts at EHR1 and we will be happy to help you. Below are common myths about EHR software and its implementation.

1. EHR PRESENTS A SECURITY RISK

Some people believe that the digitization of patient documentation poses a security risk because it is vulnerable to unauthorized access. However, this is not the case because patient data is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). As compared to paper documents, EHRs are more secure and data cannot be lost. EHR software has login permissions that protect patient information from unauthorized access.

2. ALL EHR SYSTEMS ARE THE SAME

Although many EHR systems are more of a one-size-fits-all solution, you don’t have to go for them if they do not meet your practice’s needs. You can request your EHR vendor to design EHR software that meets your practice’s structure and needs.

3. EHR INTERFERES WITH PATIENT INTERACTIONS

Some people assume that entering patient information in the computer during an appointment eliminates the time physicians spend with patients. However, the opposite is true. When medical providers have patient medical data readily available in the EHR software, they spend more time listening and talking to patients rather than sorting through paperwork.

4. ONLY HOSPITALS USE EHR

Although EHR systems are common in large medical facilities like hospitals, they can also be used outside hospitals. Small private practices can use EHR and reap its numerous benefits. Private practice physicians provide healthcare to many uninsured patients and using health technology can benefit them substantially.

EHR systems are extremely beneficial for practices and have positive outcomes for physicians and patients. Do not be fooled by these common myths, if you have any questions on EHR and its implementation, contact the experts at EHR1.

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ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS SOFTWARE FOR PATIENT PEACE OF MIND

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 17:07:00 GMT

Imagine traveling state or even nation wide and having a serious medical issue – many patients live with this concern. The problem of different hospitals and clinics as well as being able to reconcile the necessary health records can pose great health risks if each medical professional does not have access to the medical history of a patient.

There are drug allergies, interactions, previous surgeries and more to be considered by every medical professional the patient encounters. This is not only time consuming and stress inducing to the patient but it’s also dangerous. Catastrophic results can occur if a patient cannot inform a doctor of a new drug they have been prescribed and there is a reaction. The possibilities for harm are numerable, especially if the patient is non verbal for whatever reason at the time.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE

In cases where time is of the essence, correct medical history is a life saving necessity. Many illnesses such as diabetes and heart ailments can present themselves as other issues, and not every patient wears health alert bracelets or carries the medicine or medical papers they would need to show to their care provider.

Particularly susceptible to issues such as this are patients who are newly diagnosed and have no idea how to keep themselves on the right track because they are still learning about their illness and how to live with it.

QUICKER DIAGNOSIS AND RECOVERY

Now, imagine a world where at the touch of a computer, a patient’s medical history can be accessed within moments to provide instant details about their condition or medications. T

he man who just drove his car into a tree for seemingly no reason and is now unconscious, has no way to tell you he has a history of strokes or diabetic attacks, but quick access to his records can put him on the road to recovery so much faster than waiting on multiple test results.

Ultimately, quick access to electronic health records can save lives. This can also improve patient confidence by providing peace of mind, ensuring a speedy diagnosis and facilitating immediate healthcare. To find out more about EHR software for your practice, contact us today.

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SMART DEVICES AND 3D PRINTING ARE REVOLUTIONIZING DENTISTRY

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 16:49:00 GMT

Smart devices and 3D printing are likely to play an important role in improving dental practice, and they’re likely to become increasingly important in the future. Not only do these technologies play a role when it comes to dental care that’s used in offices, but they’re also beginning to play an important role in at-home dental devices, such as electric toothbrushes.

SMART TECHNOLOGY IS REVOLUTIONIZING THE DENTAL FIELD

Digitized dental x-rays make it possible to create three-dimensional images of a patient’s teeth, which can improve the overall standard of dental care that’s offered at many dental practices. Not only can digital dental x-rays provide an exceptional view of the patient’s teeth, but they can also allow dentists to examine the bone that’s underneath the teeth. Furthermore, smart x-ray machines can quickly upload data to devices that allow dentists to create exceptionally precise caps, crowns, and other dental devices, including various forms of orthodontia.

3D PRINTING IS BEING USED TO MAKE TOOLS IN DENTISTRY

These devices are able to quickly turn a digital rendition of a crown or cap into a physical product, which can make these products much more affordable for patients. In addition, 3D printers are being utilized to create dentures and orthodontic devices, which enables these products to be precisely fitted for a patient’s mouth. Not only that, but 3D printers make it possible for dental devices to be created more quickly.

3D PRINTERS CAN MAKE PRODUCTS OUT OF MULTIPLE KINDS OF MATERIAL

3D printers can be used to create products that are made out of composite resins and even metals that are commonly used in dentistry to create crowns, caps, and other dental products. Furthermore, 3D printers can be used to create dental tools with an exceptional level of precision as well, and the precise nature of 3D printing allows dentists to create thinner veneers for patients.

ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY WILL ONLY FURTHER IN DENTISTRY

High-tech dental products, such as smart x-ray machines and 3D printing, will become available to dentists for lower prices and become far more sophisticated. Some of the advances in smart dental equipment that will happen in the future could be beyond anything that could be anticipated today, which means that you will have an improving dental practice over time.

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WHY YOU SHOULD FOLLOW HIPAA COMPLIANCE FOR THE SUCCESS OF YOUR DENTAL PRACTICE

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 16:46:00 GMT

In 2018, ten companies had to pay $28.7 Million to HIPAA as fines. The United States law requires all covered entities to comply with HIPAA. Covered entities, in this case, refers to health care providers, such as hospitals, dental clinics, and pharmacies.

The American Dental Association conducted research which indicated a significant increase in dental practices, both in terms of size and number. Statistics show that US Citizens who had access to dental care rose to 248 Million in 2016, from 170 Million in 2006.

The increase in dental practices across the States makes them prone to cyber hacking. This is where HIPAA comes in. For dentists, the HIPAA rule is inclusive of;

• A Security Rule
• Privacy Rule
• Breach Notification Rule

WHAT IS HIPAA?

HIPAA compliance refers to the process through which covered entities and business associates adhere to set rules which seek to protect Protected Health Information.

In simple terms, it seeks to ensure a patient’s healthcare data remains private. Protected Health Information is anyone’s healthcare data. The privacy and security rule control what healthcare professionals such as dentists can, or cannot do with your PHI.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HIPAA

HIPAA was initially introduced in 1996 to address insurance coverage for people working two jobs. It also sought to avoid health care fraud, and protect patients’ health information.

FOR YOUR DENTAL PRACTICE, FOLLOWING HIPAA WILL;

• Immensely help you transition from manual to electronic health records.
• Streamline your administrative healthcare functions.
• Protect your client’s health information.
• Set boundaries regarding using and releasing health records.
• Boost the efficiency of your clinic.
• Hold violators answerable if they violate a patient’s rights, through both criminal and civil penalties.

FOR YOUR PATIENTS, FOLLOWING HIPAA WILL;

• Safeguard their personal and sensitive health information.
• Give them control over who gets access to their information.
• They get a right to obtain and go through their health records, and they get to request corrections when necessary.

CONCLUSION

While dentists rarely face penalties for violating set HIPAA rules, you probably don’t want to risk paying those hefty fines. To achieve HIPAA compliance for your dental practice, you need to employ a Compliance Officer.

The officer could be the dentist or any other employee in the clinic. Note that HIPAA compliance is not an on-and-off project. It should be maintained, and the concerned employees should undergo frequent training. The training will equip them in case any changes are made in the workplace or during the implementation of new technology.

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THE ROLE TECHNOLOGY PLAYS IN ORAL SURGERY

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 17:38:00 GMT

No one looks forward to oral surgery, but thanks to modern technology, it doesn’t have to be as dreadful as it used to be. There are several procedures that have been made easier thanks to it.

IMPLANTS

Dental implants are a fairly new reason for oral surgery, but technology has already helped make the process easier for dentists and patients. Patients must undergo a dental imaging procedure if they are seeking implants. Though this previously involved the use of an x-ray machine it can now be done with computer programs. As a result, dentists have a 3D image in color. They can look at the image from various angles, which makes it easier for them to plan an effective procedure. From a medical standpoint, this also cuts down on how much radiation patients are exposed to.

When it comes time to create the implants, technology allows them to be printed out. They use digital images to create perfect implants for any patient.

PREVENTING INFECTION

Previous methods of oral surgery put patients at risk of infection. If the materials used for the implant were contaminated, the dental procedure would have to be repeated. Thanks to Nano-materials, implants can be created that are resistant to become infected. These implants are also created to be more durable than implants were in the past.

Dental procedures are now more successful due to newer technology. Implants don’t have to be replaced nearly as often anymore, which is good news for those who have a need for them. With the invention of implant materials that can be attached directly to the bones, the future screws may no longer be needed to secure implants. It may even make them a viable option for patients that have experienced major damage to their face.

CONCLUSION

While technology has changed the way oral surgery is approached and performed, in the future it may also result in changes to general dentistry. There is no telling what technology will be able to do to help patients suffer less and make dentists’ jobs easier and more efficient. The future looks bright for the dental industry.

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WHY CYBER-SECURITY IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUR DENTAL PRACTICE

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 16:28:00 GMT

PROTECTING YOUR DATA REQUIRES MORE THAN AN ANTIVIRUS PROGRAM

WHAT CAN THREATS & ADVANCEMENTS BE EXPECTED IN THE FUTURE?

Using a certified EHR or Electronic Health Records system will help keep your patients’ information safe, certified EHRs are tested by the government to make sure it is of the highest security standards. These programs are likely to become far more sophisticated, which is likely to thwart a large portion of cyber-attacks. Furthermore, IT technology is being increasingly utilized for a wide range of dental devices, such as dental cameras, CNC machines, and 3D printers used in the dental industry. As a result, the list of dental devices that you’ll need to keep secure is likely to increase considerably in the future. Luckily, you’ll have the opportunity to protect these smart devices with cyber-security technologies that are more advanced and effective than ever.

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2019’S DENTAL TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 16:46:00 GMT

In 2019, technology is changing how the dental industry operates. Many of the year’s trends are dictated by advances in technology that benefit patients as well as dentists. Improving dental practice in this way helps streamline the day-to-day office experience and allows the dentist and their assistants to work more efficiently.

AUTOMATED TASKS

Most dental offices already use automated technology to schedule patient appointments and later, send them their bill. Many people are now more aware of how important oral hygiene is and are scheduling regular appointments with dentists like never before. Technology is making it easier for dental offices to bill each patient, using preset rates and customized payment plans made possible by some of today’s most advanced technology.

Yet automation is taking over other office tasks as well. In 2019 and beyond, automated data mining and even artificial intelligence will be used on a daily basis. This will not only speed up the process of treating patients but it will also aid dentists in making more precise diagnoses.

OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE

Dental offices now have access to updated open-source software used to construct devices that many patients need. Customized devices can be created using the software, which allows dentists to produce exactly what their patients need. In addition, the quality of these devices is greatly improved. They make more durable prosthetics such as dentures and implants.

DIGITAL IMAGING

Measuring patients for dentures used to be a time consuming and uncomfortable process. Digital imaging has made the process easier and pain-free. Scanners are used to almost instantly acquire the information needed to successfully treat a patient. The highest quality images are quickly rendered using digital imaging. As a result, patients have the prosthetics they need much sooner than they would have before today’s technology.

DENTAL TOOLS

Even the tools that dentists use are now more advanced. Digital tools will enable dentists to perform certain procedures without causing pain to the patient. Much of this can be credited to laser technology, which eliminates the need to use anesthesia. For many patients, this gives them a whole new outlook on visiting the dentist and helps ease their fears.

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3 THINGS YOUR PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE SHOULD DO

Thu, 03 Oct 2019 17:06:00 GMT

When shopping around for dental office software, there are a lot of factors to consider. You want to buy a dental software program with a wide range of options, cool features, and lots of benefits to ensure your practice runs smoothly and efficiently. Here are a few ways your cloud-based dental software should impact your office every day.

STREAMLINE PROCESSES

Some of the important things include processing new patients, educating patients on treatment options, communicating with patients and so on. A good piece of software should streamline these processes, making it easy for you and your staff to file them and avoid errors. The more your dental software can handle multiple tasks, the better, and the more your staff will be impressed. So, make sure you purchase the right tool to streamline processes and keep your staff motivated.

EMPOWER OFFICE STAFF

The dental office software you implement should allow your staff to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently. Everyone should feel happy and confident in working with the software and also be satisfied with the accurate results they get. If the system is slow, cumbersome and hard to learn, your staff will not want to use it to its full potential. A good dental software program keeps your staff productive.

BUILD PATIENT RELATIONSHIPS

Many healthcare providers aim to build and improve patient relationships within their healthcare facilities. Having the right software in place to do this particular job is much easier and more profitable than solely doing it in person. From smooth billing to frequent follow-up and easy scheduling, implementing new dental software into your practice can make a big difference. But if the software is buggy, slow, or causes errors, it can have a negative impact and destroy those precious relationships. Make sure the software you choose helps build strong bonds with patients.

Cloud-based dental office software is an important purchase for every practice that wants to shine and stand out from the crowd. Your healthcare facility can benefit from improved communication, efficiency, and productivity in real-time. For inquiries or more information about cloud-based dental software programs, go to https://ehr1.com/contact/.

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PICKING A PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR YOUR DENTAL PRACTICE

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 17:07:00 GMT

So you’ve decided to start your own dental practice. Or maybe you’re looking to revamp your current practice. You’ve got your office space already set, and everything else is in place except for one thing, your practice management system. It is a crucial piece to your practice so you must ensure you pick the right one.

WHAT IS A PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM?

First, let’s define what a practice management system is, it is a software system designed to manage the workflow of a dental practice. There are two ways that practitioners will go about acquiring one, to have it custom built by working with a software development firm or buy a pre-designed solution. For pre-designed solutions, there are two kinds, operating system-dependent software or cloud-based dental software.

WHY DO I NEED ONE? HOW DOES IT HELP MY DAY TO DAY PRACTICE?

Practice management systems are used for tasks like appointment scheduling, billing, coding, importing and organizing X-rays, tooth and gum graphics. They also typically provide templates for you to use for common procedures. Patient portals are another major component of these systems that allow patients to update their contact information, send X-rays and other files from home and provide you with other pertinent information. Additionally, most systems provide graphical tooth charting.

All these features help to make your practice run smoother day-to-day by streamlining common procedures. Having most of your standard office procedures integrated into a centralized system helps you run at peak efficiency. This will help you and your practice save time and money in the long run.

WHAT ARE SOME CONSIDERATIONS IN CHOOSING THE BEST OPTION?

When selecting the right system there are a few things to consider. First would be whether you want to have a customized or pre-built solution. A customized solution will allow you to be in control of everything that your system does, while a pre-built solution may allow little to no customization outside of the base software package. If you absolutely want to dictate what your software does or doesn’t do, then a custom solution would be best. Otherwise, you’re better off picking the best pre-built solution you can.

Another consideration is ensuring that whatever solution you choose is HIPAA compliant. If you go with a customized solution, then you’ll need to consider how you are going to secure your network and system. Ditto if you go with a pre-built system that is operating system dependent since chances are you will be hosting and storing your own data in-house. Cloud-based dental software solutions will generally host your data on their servers, so you won’t need to worry about doing it in-house. However, you will still want to make sure that their network and application security meets HIPAA compliance guidelines.

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4 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR DATA & KEEP YOUR DENTAL PRACTICE SECURE

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 17:18:00 GMT

Security is a big issue nowadays, and you need to make sure your staff, patients’ data, and practice are protected. Ensuring that your healthcare facility is secure helps minimize the likelihood of a potential cyber-attack in your practice, which will more than likely result in data loss. Here are some handy tips you can try to keep your practice protected every day.

CHECK WHETHER YOUR HEALTH OPERATING SYSTEM IS HIPAA COMPLIANT

Most dental practice management software programs support a wide range of Windows programs such as Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 for workstations. Many also support Windows 2012, 2012 R2, and 2016 for servers. Windows XP and Vista stopped being HIPAA compliant, and therefore, shouldn’t be used to run any dental software. It’s also important to ensure that your Windows updates are always up-to-date to enhance the security of your software.

USE STRONG PASSWORDS TO LOG INTO YOUR CLOUD-BASED SOFTWARE

You should use a strong password to log in to your dental office software. A strong password consists of a mix of numbers, letters, and symbols. Never use words, figures, or symbols that are easy to guess like birthdays, anniversaries, phone numbers, and street addresses. You shouldn’t use a password that’s within the reach of the public, either. Don’t share your password with staff or anybody else and make sure you renew your password every 60 to 90 days.

MAKE SURE YOUR WI-FI CONNECTION IS SECURE

Many routers come with a generic password, and this should be changed to something only you and some few trusted staff members know. If you’d like your patients to use your Wi-Fi, make sure you create a guest account with restricted access.

ALWAYS BACK UP YOUR DATA AND ALL IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

No matter what kind of server you use, it’s always a good idea to back up your files to some external device like a flash drive or external hard drive. At least this will protect you from losing substantial information in case a potential data breach or computer failure occurs. Some sophisticated cloud-based dental software programs usually back-up data automatically, so no further action is required from you.

Following strong data protection policies and procedures can make a big difference for your practice. Use these tips to keep your data secure around the clock and enjoy doing more work with greater peace of mind.

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BENEFITS OF ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 19:05:00 GMT

The benefits of Electronic Health Records (EHR) for both patients and healthcare providers make them an excellent option for medical data management. Electronic Health Records are digital copies of patients’ paper charts, making information instantly available. Healthcare providers want to keep patient information safe and also easily accessible in order to provide proper care to their patients. An EHR system contains patient information including medical history, treatment plans, medications, allergies, immunization records, radiology images, and lab and test results.

BENEFITS TO PATIENTS

The benefits for the patients include improved care with better diagnosis and outcomes. It also helps to improve communication between the patient and the provider through care coordination. Patients also receive safer prescriptions from their health providers. It enhances their privacy and the security of their medical data while improving the interaction and communications between themselves and the healthcare providers. With easier access to records, patients will experience fewer medical errors and testing with improvements in their overall health. Patients build better relationships with their doctors and they know they can depend on their doctors because the EHR system allows open communication with healthcare providers, even in an emergency.

ADVANTAGES FOR PROVIDERS

Advantages include providing accurate information about the patients at the time of medical care and sharing the electronic data with patients and other clinicians safely. Costs are reduced because there is less paperwork, better safety, and fewer duplicates. It helps to meet business goals and improve efficiency, productivity, and work-life balance. Scheduling systems with automated coding and the ability to track electronic messages improve productivity and communication. Centralized charts management and specific search queries save time and reduce stress, improving work-life balance – especially if the money saved is used as incentives in the form of bonuses and paid vacation.

Implementing an EHR system allows access to tools used to aid in decision making concerning patient care. It automates and streamlines the provider’s workflow by creating an effective flow of information while protecting patients’ medical information. EHR systems improve the way care is given to patients.

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MAKING THE MOST OUT OF HIPAA/HITECH COMPLIANCE CONSULTING

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 17:42:00 GMT

Times are changing, and as new laws affect the health care sector, you can’t afford any future issues due to non-compliance. Planning is essential to avoid unnecessary costs and save time. Though a federal mandate, at iHealthOne we believe this proactive measure will enhance the privacy and security of your electronic health records.

If customers establish you are HIPAA/HITECH non-compliant, you risk affecting their willingness to disclose essential health information to you. Thanks to HIPAA/HITECH compliance consultancy, you have no reason for any concerns. In this article, we’ll walk you through this essential regulatory process.

IS HIPAA/HITECH COMPLIANCE CONSULTANCY ESSENTIAL?

Whether a seasoned or new practice, it helps to accept guidance from a consultancy on all phases of compliance. A consultancy does extra research on the necessary and up-to-date information your staff require for implementation. It can provide further training for stress-free self-administration and subsequent compliance.

Consultant professionals conduct a risk analysis and advise on setting up safeguards to avoid HIPAA/HITECH violations. They provide detailed reports on risk exposure, as well as checklists and customized forms that suit your company. This includes breach notifications, disaster recovery, and risk management solutions. Consequently, this can play an important role in improving your health strategy plans for smooth operation.

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER HIPAA/HITECH COMPLIANCE CONSULTING?

If you’re an entity that covers or provides healthcare payments and treatments, and you have access to patient information, HIPAA/HITECH compliance consultancy is vital. This also includes subcontractors and healthcare business associates.

EXTRA TIPS ON COMPLIANCE

Ensure you always comply on time. This will pave the way for effective management of patient data security and assessment services. Also, it will save you unneeded lawsuits or hefty fines for non-compliance.

EHR1 has a compliance department that can help you recognize potential gaps while guaranteeing 100 percent client data security and confidentiality. You gain the most out of our quality technical safeguards. With the EHR1 certified cloud-based dental software, we counsel you on corrective measures to adopt before a compliance review or OCR audit. You also have access to our:

• Vulnerability scans
• Network penetration testing
• Electronic health records software upgrades
• Effective incident response planning
• Implementation of an information security program
• Improved customer trust and organizational reputation services, among others.

Would you like HIPAA/HITECH compliance consulting services? Contact iHealthOne today. We will respond to any of your inquiries and help your entity run smoothly.

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US TODAY!

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THE INTERSECTION OF HIPAA & THE HITECH ACT

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 17:15:00 GMT

Since it passed in 2009, the HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health) Act was meant to enforce certain rules within the HIPAA Omnibus Rule. It’s important that those in healthcare IT understand the relationship between the two.

THE IMPACT OF THE HITECH ACT

The HITECH Act’s stated aim was to improve the on-boarding and meaningful use of HIT. In doing so, the HITECH Act also affected the standards Health and Human Services (HHS) used to evaluate hospitals and expanded the scope of jurisdiction. It also bolstered the HHS OCR’s (Office for Civil Rights) tools of enforcement. Georgina Verdugo, director of the OCR, said that added vigilance would help convince consumers of the privacy and security of their health information and protected personal information (PPI).

WHERE HIPAA AND HITECH MEET

By broadening the scope of HIPAA, the HITECH Act increased the number of participating stakeholders or business associates. Previously, HIPAA described a business associate as a person performing functions or activities for or on the behalf of a covered entity.

HITECH changed HIPAA’s definition of business associates to include:

*Health Information Organizations (HIO)
*Patient Safety Organizations (PSO)
*Gateways, portals, and e-prescribers
*Certain people providing PPI on behalf of another covered entity
*People involved in data transmission including subcontractors and delegates

HITECH also created new categories of HIPAA penalties. This was meant to distinguish violations based on nature, extent, and the harm caused to patients. Currently, there are three categories which correspond with three civil penalties outlined in the HITECH Interim Final Rule.

HIPAA-HITECH FURTHER CONNECTED

There are, of course, other areas where HIPAA and HITECH overlap. They are both sweeping and exhaustive legislation that often cover similar areas, especially where electronic medical records, are concerned. This includes meaningful use and PHI. HITECH incentivizes the meaningful use of electronic medical records in order to improve health care and outcomes. Other areas covered in both HIPAA and HITECH are breech reporting requirements, patient access to PHI, and facilitation of medical research.

If your practice wishes to learn more about HIPAA, HITECH, meaningful use, healthcare reform, and regulatory compliance, visit us at https://ehr1.com/.

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HOW SMALL PRACTICES CAN USE EHR SOFTWARE

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 17:08:00 GMT

Dental practices are using EHR systems to organize patient records digitally and improve patient visits. However, smaller dental practices may have a harder time taking advantage of EHR systems, but they can still benefit from EHR by understanding the best systems for their practice. Smaller practices can still transform their health care by leveraging systems that improve key areas.

WHAT IS EHR?

Before a small practice can utilize an EHR system, they must first understand what EHRs are and how they can improve patient care. Basically, EHRs are digital copies of patient records that can be shared easily with other certified healthcare professionals to provide quick and accurate care to patients. These systems provide up to date information which is easily accessible at the point of care to ensure other doctors and practices have the necessary information to diagnose and treat patients effectively.

EHR FOR SMALL PRACTICES

Smaller practices can still take advantage of EHR systems by using them to improve certain areas of their operations. Mobile EHR systems are in high demand and can improve prescribing medicine, reviewing medical notes, communication between the doctor & patients, and customizing patients’ charts on mobile devices for quick access. They can use cloud-based EHRs for both long-term and short-term benefits by aligning it with management strategies. Portals enable patients to provide information from outside the clinic saving time and improving patient satisfaction.

BENEFITS OF ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS

Cloud-based EHR systems remove the burden of maintaining a personal data server and save costs. Software catches mistakes by flagging them, making digital systems less affected by human error. They also help with finding the right treatment plan for each patient, improving engagement with patients. To determine which EHR systems to implement, review the business data to determine which areas need improvement. Make a plan to help meet important goals such as improving patient satisfaction.

The bottom line is that small practices can still benefit from EHR systems by implementing mobile systems, cloud-based systems, and patient portals. With these simple systems, smaller practices benefit from improved communication, patient satisfaction, and better information sharing during emergencies.

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WHAT IS MEDICARE MEANINGFUL USE?

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 17:22:00 GMT

Medicare Meaningful Use is also known as the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program. This program is very important for healthcare providers to be familiar with. This program provides financial incentives to medical professionals who adopt ‘meaningful use’ of government certified EHR technology. This begs the question – what is EHR technology, and what is meaningful use?

EHR is short for electronic health record. In the healthcare industry, you’ll often see the terms EHR and EMR. EMR stands for electronic medical record. An EMR is a digital version of a physician’s chart and provides a basic medical history of the patient. An EHR, on the other hand, is a much more comprehensive digital record that gives a broader look at the patient’s overall health. While both are valuable in the medical world, EHRs are particularly useful because they offer such a wide range of important details about a patient’s health.

‘MEANINGFUL USE’ OF EHR SOFTWARE

Medicare and Medicaid want to encourage healthcare providers to use EHRs, because they make it much easier for future providers to treat a patient effectively. They also make it easier for doctors to run their practices efficiently and provide the best service possible for their patients. Therefore, they have started rewarding ‘meaningful use’ of EHRs.

Certain EHR programs are certified by the government and have met meaningful use standards. This means that if you use them, you may qualify for financial incentives from Medicare and Medicaid. Some EHR programs are expensive to install or maintain, but these financial incentives can offset the cost. There are also meaningful use standards for the way that healthcare providers share EHR data with each other, insurers, and patients. These standards are designed to encourage the ethical use of EHR technology and protect patient privacy.

SWITCHING TO EHR

If you run a medical practice, switching your records system to meaningful use EHR software can have huge financial benefits for your company. It can also help your practice run more efficiently. If you aren’t sure where to start with installing EHR systems, it may be helpful to work with a meaningful use consultant. These are professional services that can help you seamlessly integrate meaningful use EHR systems and practices into your business.

Contact the team at EHR1 today for more information on Medicare Meaningful Use.

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FOUR WAYS AN EHR SOFTWARE CAN HELP YOUR PRACTICE

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 17:42:00 GMT

If you don’t already use Electronic Health Records (EHR) for your practice, you’re missing out. EHR systems have a lot to offer. Learn about the four ways in which EHR systems can improve your practice below.

1. Increase patient engagement

When your patients are engaged, they’re happy. Using EHR systems makes it easier for your patients to stay engaged, as they can use their patient portal to take a more interactive approach to healthcare. With access to test results online, patients don’t need to wait for doctors to call them to get their results. They can be proactive and look for the results themselves.

2. Take a Joint Approach

Thanks to EHR implementation, you can take a collaborative approach towards a patient’s healthcare. Patients can view educational materials through the patient portal. Then, they can develop a better understanding of their health issue.

When they meet with their doctor, they have all the facts they need to discuss the situation. It’s much more productive than the alternative. Without this collaborative approach, a patient has little chance for discussion. He/she can’t judge whether or not a treatment is ideal for his/her situation.

3. Improve the data entry process

Data entry is a tedious process that is far from perfect. However, EHR implementation makes the process less painful. For example, consider the templates that come with EHR systems. Those templates make it quicker for a doctor to input information into their computer.

When you use a reliable software, you can also limit the time it takes for data input. Instead of having your data sitting on a pile on a desk, you can have it already organized on your network. As soon as someone types in the information, it stays in the software. There’s less waiting and less paperwork.

4. Achieve a Higher Level of Efficiency

If you want a successful practice, you need to be efficient. Efficiency keeps both your clients and your employees happy. By helping your practice stay organized, an EHR system can keep your office running smoothly.

EHR also improves communication in your office and among patients. Your staff won’t waste time completing duplicate tasks or waiting for data. Instead, all the information is in the system.

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3 THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE HITECH ACT

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 17:14:00 GMT

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed into law on February 17th, 2009. Included in this bill is a section titled the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, or HITECH for short. This law allocates $18 billion as incentives through Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement systems, providing grants and revolving loan funds to hospitals and physicians considered meaningful users of electronic health records.

These grants and loan funds may be used to purchase EHRs and new healthcare technology. If you’re a small to medium sized healthcare practice in need of a consultation regarding HITECH Act compliance, then look no further. EHR1 has a compliance department that will assist you with matters such as this. Listed are three things both eligible and ineligible providers should be aware of when demonstrating meaningful use of EHR systems, thereby improving health care throughout the country.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ISSUES “FINAL RULES”

The Department of Health and Human Services issued three final rules for the implementation of the requirements of the HITECH Act. The new rules stipulate that those who qualify for the incentive program can receive as much as $44,000 in grants and other incentives over a five-year term through Medicare. Furthermore, up to $63,750 over 6 years through Medicaid. Hospitals can earn millions of dollars in grants and revolving loans for implementing and becoming meaningful users of certified electronic health records. The third rule establishes objectives for what is considered ‘meaningful use,’ also providing metrics eligible applicants must meet in order to reap all of the benefits of the EHR incentive program.

EHR TECHNOLOGY STIPULATIONS

In order to be compliant with the HITECH Act, another stipulation addressed in The Department of Health and Human Services final rules was the Temporary Certification Program for Health Information Technology. This certification program establishes a process for businesses and professionals to test and certify for using EHR technology. If you want to take advantage of all the benefits this program has to offer, then you must certify first.

MEDICAID AND MEDICARE INCENTIVE PAYMENTS ESTIMATED TO RISE

Experts estimate that over the next ten years, the Federal government will spend over $26 billion in grants to medical professionals and hospitals implementing the standards set forth in the HITECH Act.

If you are a small to midsize healthcare practice looking to save money and benefit from the outstanding economic benefits the HITECH Act’s financial EHR implementation incentives provide, contact EHR1 today for a certified EHR and expert consulting.

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UNDERSTANDING MEANINGFUL USE QUALIFICATION AND CRITERIA

Thu, 29 Aug 2019 17:15:00 GMT

What does “meaningful use” mean and why is it important? When it comes to health information technology, Meaningful Use is the minimum government standards in the U.S. for the use of certified electronic health records (EHRs). It also defines how a patient’s clinical information gets shared and exchanged by providers, insurance companies, and patients.

INCENTIVES COME WITH IMPROVING HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCES

For qualification of incentives available for this initiative, eligible professionals and hospitals must show Meaningful Use in regard to their EHRs. When practices and professionals show Meaningful Use, they qualify to receive a monetary incentive from the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program which the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) run.

A provider or practice needs to adopt, implement, or upgrade to a certified EHR to receive payment from the state. Showing Meaningful Use was not expected the first year of EHR implementation. CMS sets it up so you have time to work up to Meaningful Use with the help of other resources and services available to healthcare providers.

THREE STAGES OVER FIVE YEARS

EHR technology must be certified and used in particular ways that help the eligible professionals and hospitals reach specific goals. Since meeting the Meaningful Use criteria is unnecessary to fulfil all at one time, over five years there are three stages designed for the providers to demonstrate and fulfill the requirements.

Stage 1: Rules necessary for electronic data capture established
Stage 2: Using certified EHR technology (CEHRT) so that point of care and transferring formatted information improves.
Stage 3: Utilizing CEHRT for better health results.

OBJECTIVES TO MEET FOR QUALIFICATION

There are some precise objectives that organizations and professionals need to meet to qualify for incentive payments. The requirements vary depending on if you are a practice, a professional, or an institution. Some criteria include meeting:

• 14 – 15 core objectives
• At least 5 of 10 set objectives
• 6 – 15 clinical quality measures

The ongoing goal of the entire healthcare system is to improve in the areas of quality, efficiency, and safety. Part of this continual process to reach those aims is getting health professionals and practices to meet the Meaningful Use requirements to practice the improved standards. With compliance, the whole healthcare experience becomes better and beneficial for everyone involved, with benefits for both patients and providers.

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3 WAYS EHR SYSTEMS HAVE CHANGED THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY

Tue, 27 Aug 2019 16:48:00 GMT

Hospitals have a mandate to use EHR systems to measure quantity and quality of healthcare. This results in meaningful use, which is great for dentists/dental practices, hospitals, doctors and nurses. But how have EHRs changed the healthcare industry, and what are the benefits of such systems?

1. IMPROVED PATIENT OUTCOMES

EHRs have taken center stage in recent years, and the majority of health care settings have seen improved patient outcomes. These systems do more than simply transmit data, they leverage information for the benefit of both hospital and practice patients.

Electronic health records also alert physicians to potential issues. For example, EHRs automatically assess new medications patients are prescribed against problems based on their listed allergies. This sort of information is also vital during emergency situations. For example, a primary care doctor will enter information about allergies into the EHR, and if the patient ends up in emergency care, the physician will then have access to this data and treat the patient correctly. This is very important if a patient is unresponsive.

2. CARE DELIVERY

EHR implementation has ensured workflows are less time-consuming than former paper methods. When records and treatment plans are electronically inputted into the system, errors are reduced, lowering the risk of issues and problems e.g. rejecting reimbursement claims.

Mundane and routine tasks are also less of a burden thanks to EHR due to the ability to view data on portable devices and increased automation. This further enhances productivity and speed, giving nurses and doctors more one-to-one time with their patients.

3. HEALTHCARE IS NOW MOBILE

Once paired with mobile technology, EHR systems allow medical providers to view patient data in real-time, but they also streamline appointment management processes and tasks such as reviewing test results. This functionality enhances the patient’s experience and allows doctors to improve on the outcomes they offer.

Ultimately, EHRs have played a huge role in the ability of the medical care industry to continue improving its quality of care. If you’d like to find out more about EHR implementation, contact us at EHR1 today.

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MAKING THE MOST OUT OF HIPAA/HITECH COMPLIANCE CONSULTING

Thu, 22 Aug 2019 17:33:00 GMT

Times are changing, and as new laws affect the health care sector, you can’t afford any future issues due to non-compliance. Planning is essential to avoid unnecessary costs and save time. Though a federal mandate, at EHR1 we believe this proactive measure will enhance the privacy and security of your electronic health records.

IS HIPAA/HITECH COMPLIANCE CONSULTANCY ESSENTIAL?

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER HIPAA/HITECH COMPLIANCE CONSULTING?

EXTRA TIPS ON COMPLIANCE.

EHR1 can help you recognize potential gaps while guaranteeing 100 per cent client data security and confidentiality. You gain the most out of our quality technical safeguards. With the EHR1 certified cloud-based dental software, we counsel you on corrective measures to adopt before a compliance review or OCR audit. You also have access to our:

Would you like HIPAA/HITECH compliance consulting services? Contact EHR1 today. We will respond to any of your inquiries and help your entity run smoothly.

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US TODAY!

The post MAKING THE MOST OUT OF HIPAA/HITECH COMPLIANCE CONSULTING appeared first on EHR .

WHAT IS THE HITECH ACT?

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 17:13:00 GMT

The world of healthcare is always changing to adapt with the times. As technology entered the medical world, it became important for the healthcare industry to embrace it and use it to better patient care. In 2009, the world did just that with the passing of the HITECH Act. Read on to find out more about the act and how the world of healthcare and patient care have a more promising future because of it.

IT PROTECTS ONLINE DOCUMENTATION

With the passage of the HITECH Act in 2009, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology finally had the authority to create standards for the stimulus program and manage them. Grants were also created for training centers so new personnel could understand and support the new IT infrastructures used by healthcare organizations. One important key feature of the HITECH Act was that it expanded notifications for data breaches and further protected electronic health data.

IT FURTHERS HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGY

Before the HITECH Act was passed, only 3.2% of hospitals in the US had the ability to adopt electronic health records and make them part of their system. The act then gave hospitals financial incentives to get this technology up and running on site until 2014. At the beginning of 2014, 14.2% of hospitals had electronic health records, and the financial incentives were switched to financial penalties for any hospital that was found without these health records.

IT KEEPS PATIENTS’ INFORMATION SAFE

While HIPAA laws were created before the HITECH Act and they remain unrelated, the new act did begin to reinforce HIPAA standards. As part of the act, HIPAA could not be broken for any electronic health records. It also requires that all physicians must pass a HIPAA exam and that healthcare providers are held responsible for any future data breaches.

After the passage of the HITECH Act, patient information was made more secure through electronic health records and penalties that were enforced if data was breached or confidentiality broken. It’s key to reinforcing HIPAA and maintaining the integrity of patient information, now and in the future.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MEANINGFUL USE PROGRAM

Thu, 15 Aug 2019 18:35:00 GMT

The meaningful use program defines the minimum standards for using electronic health records and exchanging patients’ clinical information between health care providers, insurance companies, and patients. The meaningful use program is voluntary and requires government certified technology; however, clinics using it are eligible for incentive payments. To receive the maximum reimbursement, clinics must meet the criteria of each stage.

WHAT IS THE MEANINGFUL USE PROGRAM FROM CMS?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) encourage the use of electronic health records by providing incentive payments. The Quality Payment Program allows health care providers to choose participation based on the clinic’s size, location, specialty, and the number of patients. It provides incentives by measuring the performance of clinicians using the certified technology.

WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF MEANINGFUL USE?

The meaningful use program is divided into three stages, each focuses on specific activities within the program. Stage one focuses on promoting the use of electronic health records and explains the requirements of the systems used by health care providers. Stage two increases the criteria thresholds for compliance and introduces rules for patient engagement, decision support, and care coordination requirements. Stage three focuses on the exchange of health information and other guidelines in the earlier stages. The HITECH Act outlines the plans for the adoption of electronic health records through the meaningful use program.

WHAT ARE THE MEASURES FOR MEANINGFUL USE?

The measurements for meaningful use start in Stage 1, which are required for a three month period, and they are added onto and increased in Stage 2 measurements. Eligible professionals and hospitals are measured separately for objectives and clinical quality. There are a lot of measures under each main category requiring a specific number of the measurements to be met; for example, eligible professionals must meet 20 out of 23 objectives and 9 out of 64 clinical quality metrics.

The goal of the meaningful use program is promoting the electronic health record systems to create a structure to improve the safety, quality, and efficiency of the health care system. Eligible professionals and hospitals progress through the three stages as they implement the electronic health records systems.

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HOW POLICY MANAGEMENT IMPROVES HEALTHCARE COMPLIANCE

Tue, 13 Aug 2019 17:03:00 GMT

Hospitals deal with countless requirements from national, state, and local bodies. Such requirements usually set the standards for what’s unacceptable and acceptable while at the same time affording hospitals valuable credentials. Additionally, they instill a sense of trust not only with patients but also with the wider community.

Here are some of the ways policy management can help your hospital improve its healthcare compliance:

TRACK STAFF COMPREHENSION OF CURRENT AND UPDATED POLICIES

Policy management systems help organizations achieve compliance by tracking the policies each staff member has passed, when they did it, and if they understood it. Being able to link a policy system with your learning management system makes the whole process much easier.

AVOID LITIGATION

In addition to helping hospitals avoid expensive litigation, policy management systems also help your organization avoid potential criminal action. The system achieves this by preventing risk as well as creating paper trails.

EFFECTIVELY PREPARE FOR AUDITS

Regulatory auditors normally come unannounced or with short notice. Moreover, they can stay on your premises for several days. Adequate preparation for an audit can be both time consuming and overwhelming.

To be on the safe side, it’s prudent for your hospital to maintain up-to-date documentation of all procedures and policies. With an efficient policy management system, preparing for an audit is a walk in the park. It’s very much manageable.

If your system is searchable and well organized, it enables you to effortlessly and quickly pull up specific policies.

REDUCE OPERATIONAL INEFFICIENCIES

Policy management systems eliminate excess costs related to supply, copying and organization, as well as the storage of policies. Policy administrators, IT staff, and nurses don’t have to spend so much time shuffling papers because efficient policy management systems automatically send notifications whenever your hospital’s policies no longer comply with regulatory requirements or are out of date.

Hospitals need to comply with standards set by CMS, HIPAA, and the Joint Commission. An excellently-managed set of policies aids a hospital in creating as well as maintaining policies that comply with relevant bodies.

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UNDERSTANDING ELECTRONIC HEALTH AND MEDICAL RECORDS: EMR VS. EHR

Thu, 08 Aug 2019 15:50:00 GMT

Despite the costs and the difficulties surrounding the implementation of EMR and EHR technology, more than eight percent of hospitals and doctors have employed electronic health records and electronic medical technology.

We are going to take a close look at the differences and similarities, as well as how EHR and EMR help improve healthcare delivery services and patient outcomes.

EMR – ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS

An EMR is essentially a digital version of a patient’s medical report. It is primarily used by medical service providers to aid with treatment and diagnosis. The services provided by EMRs include:

• Immunization dates
• Medical history/chart
• Diagnosis
• Visit record
• List of allergies
• Treatment plan

An effective electronic medical record system manages the charting process by simply obtaining the preferences and medical history of a patient over a period of time. It helps a doctor make smart medical suggestions about the diagnosis based on the data obtained. Electronic medical records trace patients’ medical information, allowing the doctor quick access to crucial information that may significantly affect the treatment. EMR also acts as a legal record in case of an office visit.

EMR technology has effectively eliminated the need for paper charts. The use of EMR is restricted to inter-office communication, though it’s shareable among medical practitioners in case the patient visits a different clinic or lab.

EHR – ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS

If an electronic medical record is just a snapshot of a patient’s medical history, then an electronic health record is the equivalent of a whole movie.

EHR services include:

• Demographic information
• Medication history
• List of allergies
• Blood type
• Immunization dates
• Laboratory results
• Radiology images
• Encounter notes
• Diagnoses
• Physician recommendations
• Past procedures
• Past medical history
• Progress notes

The patient’s medical records are fluid because they are repeatedly updated over time. Both the patients and medical practitioners increasingly enjoy the benefits of EHR.

THE ADVANTAGES OF EHR

EHR software systems offer far more advantages than disadvantages.

• Electronic health record software provides clinical reminder alerts. It connects the health care expert’s decision support by analyzing the aggregate data for both the research and care management.

• The Electronic Health Record system focuses on the complete patient’s health. EHR is designed to share crucial patient’s information electronically to other healthcare service providers.

• EHRs software is the heart and the future of medical systems because the information shared and provided can be used to make clinical decisions and help to coordinate the care between all medical service providers in the healthcare ecosystem.

• There is a continuous movement of information from patient to the specialist or even across the entire country since the EHR systems are set in a way that they are accessible by all individuals involved and also the patients themselves.

BENEFITS OF EHR TO PATIENTS

Patients are big winners when it comes to the benefits of the EHR systems.

Patients’ EHRs is a combined and comprehensive medical data. When a doctor gets access to the patient’s medical cache of information, he or she will be able to conclude on the right choice about treatment-either for short-term illness or long-term chronic disease.

Since a patient can have access to his or her medical records, he or she too can get access the cache information they require hence making a better healthcare decision. There will be no worry whenever the patient wants to transfer his or her treatment to another service provider as the transferring and accessing of the medical record is done electronically.

In some situations where a fast decision needs to be made, EHR gives the doctor the medical data needed to make the right medical choice as quickly as possible.

HOW EHR HAS AFFECTED THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE

For the most positive and effective future in healthcare, EHR will be the primary type of system. The healthcare industry must adapt with technological advancements to create the best results for patients.

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4 WAYS TO STAY AHEAD OF HIPAA SECURITY COMPLIANCE

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 17:27:00 GMT

Over the years cyber-crimes have been on the rise and the trend may not stop soon unless something happens that ultimately turns the table on hackers. Considering we are not there yet, there are security measures in place to help businesses and organizations stay safe.

With the use of Electronic Health Records to store patient’s medical data, the vulnerability of healthcare facilities to cyber-attacks is a real concern. The security and privacy requirements of HIPAA not only target medical providers but any other entity in charge of handling healthcare data. Below are four things you can implement to help your practice stay compliant to the security and privacy requirements of HIPAA:

SECURE IN-HOUSE DATA TRANSFERS

Having patient information electronically available to anyone in the facility can result in damages and lawsuits. The worst part is, it is almost impossible to keep track of data transfers especially data copied into personal devices. There are software programs that keep company endpoints secure; this ensures that only authorized people can access medical records.

IMPLEMENT FIREWALLS AND WEB FILTERING

As much as the internet can be convenient, especially to health facilities, it is also full of viruses and malware. A few minutes of careless browsing and downloading of files could result into considerable damage. A single infected file is enough to corrupt or wipe a facility’s system clean. To keep your facility safe, you can outsource IT services and install internet restrictions.

AUTOMATICALLY UPDATE SOFTWARE

Tech advancements are fast-paced. What seems necessary today might not be tomorrow. Software companies are always patching their services to stay up-to-date, which is precisely what your facility should stay on top of to avoid vulnerabilities. As a dental or medical practice, you may not keep track of critical security updates; to prevent this, it is crucial to ensure that your systems are configured to update automatically.

SET UP SECURITY GUIDELINES

One of the most effective methods of ensuring your facility’s security is to set up security guidelines that your staff easily understands and abides by. Educate your staff on safety measures when using the internet, for instance, using secure passwords and logging out every time they visit private pages and databases.

You can implement the above tips among others to help you keep your facility secure and pass HIPAA Security risk assessment.

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ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS FOR SOLO PRACTICES

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 16:55:00 GMT

Solo practices may think implementing an electronic health record system (EHR) is costly, confusing, and requires IT expertise; however, the best EHRs for solo practices are user-friendly and time-saving. Solo practices can benefit from EHR systems just as the larger practices do.

HOW EHR SYSTEMS WORK

EHR systems are basically digital copies of paper charts which contain patient medical information including medical history, diagnoses, medications, and test results to name a few. EHR systems are made to share information at the point of care with other health care providers by providing treatment plans, immunization records, and allergies. They allow access to tools to help make decisions about patients’ care while automating the health care providers workflow. EHR systems are intended to contain information from all health providers involved in the patient’s care.

BEST EHR FOR SOLO PRACTICES

The best EHR for solo practices are user-friendly and offer helpful tools/features that allow healthcare professionals get the job done with ease. EHR1 is an EHR system designed specifically for small and solo practices with an easy to use design it assists with scheduling, charting, and electronic prescribing. EHR1 is compatible with mobile devices with features such as document templates, patient portal, and a dashboard for appointments. EHR1 offers a free trial and is cloud-based making it a great option for solo practices.

BENEFITS OF EHR FOR SOLO PRACTICES

Benefits of EHR systems to solo practices include allowing doctors to spend more time with patients improving patient satisfaction. Solo practices have a smaller staff than their larger competitors and EHR systems mean health care providers do not spend as much time doing administrative work. Solo practices can provide a better experience for their patients, appointment management, and payment collection. The ability to share patient information with other health care providers means patients receive the best care, especially during an emergency.

For any doctor, their patients’ well-being is the most important aspect of their practice, and even solo practices can benefit from EHR systems. Remember, some EHR systems designed for solo practices are user-friendly and support the tools used in solo practices.

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5 WAYS GREAT PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE CAN BENEFIT YOUR BUSINESS

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 16:16:00 GMT

In today’s competitive world, everything revolves around the use of technology for various reasons. In the healthcare industry, practice management software allows dentists, doctors, therapists, chiropractors, nurses and other specialists to collect and record patient information, maintain electronic health records, create online billing and coding, and track information.

By optimizing financial and administrative activities, your business can save time and thousands of dollars. If you’ve not embraced technology, here are five ways a great practice management software keeps you ahead of the competition.

STREAMLINES WORKFLOWS AND PROCESSES

In a fast-paced care environment, streamlining workflows directly impacts on your ability to offer quality services to patients and increase profit margins. Practice management software offers the efficiency needed to achieve this.

Practice management software provides a standardized system for reducing errors and redundancies to assist your staff in operating seamlessly and reducing patient wait times. As a result, the system maintains your business at peak performance.

ALLOWS STAFF TO FOCUS ON QUALITY PATIENT CARE

The success of any healthcare facility depends on the quality of services offered. With great practice management software, your team focuses on quality care instead of burdensome administrative work.

You can realize this focus by automating processes like scheduling, patient tracking and billing. As the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) continue asking for more documentation, this system can make the process smooth.

QUICKENS REIMBURSEMENTS FOR SERVICE

Healthcare management systems improve billing, payment processes and facilitate quick reimbursement. This efficiency is realized thanks to the practice management software’s ability to verify insurance eligibility during the scheduling of appointments.

The software also allows billers to access patient medical records and reports to address critical gaps in the claims section. Such access accelerates the reimbursement process by reducing denials that often result in delays.

IMPROVES DOCUMENTATION AND REDUCES ERRORS

The shift to paperless record keeping, plus a growing emphasis on transparency and reliability, means documentation is a priority within all medical claims and billing processes.

Improved documentation is a critical benefit of practice management software, since the technology offers a standardized system that minimizes errors witnessed in handwritten notes.

OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE COMPLIANCE

Every practice management software is designed to meet healthcare mandates and regulatory requirements like HIPAA, HITECH Act and Patient Protection.

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

Maintaining compliance is mandatory for healthcare practices, and implementing a healthcare practice software can help your facility.

It’s undoubted that every business requires management software. There are thousands of such programs in the market, and choosing the best can be nerve-racking. If you need assistance or guidance, please contact EHR1 and schedule a free consultation at the link below.

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US TODAY!

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MAKE IMPLEMENTING YOUR EHR SYSTEM PAIN FREE ON THE CLOUD

Thu, 25 Jul 2019 17:34:00 GMT

Physicians who are planning their EHR conversion strategy are sometimes a bit overwhelmed by the variety of choices and the expense they entail. The good news is that the transition to electronic health records doesn’t have to be as costly and daunting as it first appears.

The perfect solution to the EHR dilemma for many smaller practices is a cloud-based EHR system. Some of the advantages of a cloud-based system include:

Simpler to implement.

Because these run on the web and not a local computer a practice can avoid cash flow interruption while having a faster return on investment.

Significantly reduces resources.

Rather than requiring a whole team of IT experts to recommend, install, test, configure, run, update hardware and software, and ensure security, a SaaS provider handles everything. With a cloud-based system, all updates are handled automatically, allowing the practice to always have the most recent version available.

A cloud-based system simplifies growth.

A small practice can avoid the usual IT growing pains expanding can cause. Thus it is much easier to add doctors, locations, and new users. Because a cloud-based system offers maximum flexibility, a small practice can plan big without web-based bankrupting itself.

A cloud-based system offers tremendous savings.

A traditional client-server system can cost up to $40,000 or more not counting licensing fees, updates and patches, and maintenance costs. The largest hurdle of many small practices is often the initial cost of EHR installation.

Because a cloud-based EHR system requires no software licenses or hardware installation, implementation costs a fraction of a client-server system.

A practice can budget its EHR like a monthly utility bill with a software as a service (SaaS) arrangement.

A cloud-based system is safe.

Cloud-based systems actually offer greater security than client-server systems and even paper records. Everything is within a secured cloud so that it’s never lost or stolen, and is protected by multiple methods including passwords and 2-step authentication.

Email us or give us a call today for your free consultations. We are in the business of helping practices navigate through all the cloud-based options that are available. As we have with many before you, we’ll get right back to you with real solutions.

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IS YOUR PRACTICE EQUIPPED TO IMPLEMENT EHR?

Tue, 23 Jul 2019 16:57:00 GMT

EHR stands for Electronic Health Records, a computerized method of safekeeping a patient’s medical data. EHR software has become a convenient and effective tool through which the health system has experienced a remarkable transformation. Small and medium-sized practices have been adopting EHR at a fast rate to boost the quality of their services. If you are an eligible Medicare professional, then there is no doubt that you are going to have to adopt the EHR systems sooner or later.

However, it may not be wise to make the transition directly to EHR without some adjustments. If you are looking to benefit from the convenience, safety, and efficacy of electronic health records software, your practice will need to make some changes in terms of knowledge, management, working relations and so on; this leads to seamless integration with the new system.

So how do you go about making your practice ready for EHR implementation?

1. FOSTER STAFF INTEREST IN EHR

For the new technology to run smoothly, the implementation must begin from the roots: your staff. You need to make sure that your team is interested or at least has no personal concerns with the initiative. You should take it upon yourself to foster the interest on EHRs and address these concerns before implementation.

2. IMPORTANCE OF THE CHANGE

Human beings are creatures of comfort – they like to settle into their comfort zones and unfortunately, any change means upsetting that balance, even if it’s for the best. It’s not always easy to settle back into a routine after a significant change, and that is why your staff need to understand that the change is necessary. Let them know how beneficial the EHR systems are to both their patients and themselves.

3. SET TEMPORARY GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS

During the transition phase, lots of things may happen that may cause a lag or inhibit the previous smooth flow of operation. It is essential to set up temporary goals and expectations for your staff to go by for the time being. Let your team know that it is common for productivity to be affected during the transition.

Implementing EHR software shouldn’t be a daunting task. Everything you need to set up and ready to go can be a headache without the right help, contact us today to talk about EHR1 for your practice.

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4 FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A DENTAL PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 17:40:00 GMT

A good dental practice management software is crucial to your practice’s success because it increases efficiency, reduces costs, and improves productivity, resulting in a practice that is above the rest. Choosing dental software can be overwhelming and daunting due to the numerous types of software on the market. By considering these four factors, you can choose the best dental management software that is tailor-made to meet your practice’s needs and enhance its performance.

1. FUNCTIONALITY

As a dentist, you want to provide your patients with the best possible experience. Therefore, you need dental software that helps you to accomplish this goal, meets your needs, and performs a wide range of tasks from scheduling to charting and billing. The software should match your practice’s workflow and structure.

2. COST

Purchasing dental software is a costly affair but a worthy investment. You have to consider the cost of the software and ensure you get value for money. Do not go for the cheapest option, it is not always the best. Don’t end up paying too much for software either, it may be years down the line before you discover you’ve payed countless dollars to fees that other suitable software wouldn’t have charged you. The best method would be to compare software that has the tools you need and see who charges less for the same features.

3. USER EXPERIENCE

Choose dental practice management software that is user-friendly and your team will learn and use it easily and quickly. When you purchase dental software that is complicated and difficult to use, your staff members will take longer to accomplish tasks and the likelihood of making mistakes increases. The best dental software improves your practice and does not increase workload and frustrate employees.

4. TRAINING AND SUPPORT

Purchasing dental practice management software is not a one-off thing. You need a vendor who will support you every step of the way from designing to implementing the system and training the employees. Ensure that the vendor you settle for has a detailed training and support system, you may find one that doesn’t charge at all for support (which is great considering that you or your staff will likely need support on an ongoing basis).

Choosing the right dental practice management software is among the most important decisions you will make for your practice. Regrettably, choosing the right system can be strenuous due to the many vendors in the market offering an array of dental software. Whether you are purchasing dental software for the first time or upgrading an existing one – it’s important to choose an option that is clear, concise, and provides the tools you need to dominate your space.

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4 REASONS YOUR PRACTICE NEEDS CLOUD-BASED DENTAL SOFTWARE

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 18:10:00 GMT

Believe it or not, in spite of the tremendous growth in technology, some dental practices continue to utilize a paper appointment book. Do you still rely on traditional ways of running operations? Running a dental practice efficiently and smoothly calls for the use of a dental management software.

In addition to being more affordable than maintaining hardware, cloud-based dental software brings with it the following benefits to your practice:

#1: DO AWAY WITH RELIANCE ON PHYSICAL STORAGE

According to research, human error accounts for 52 percent of data breaches. ‘General carelessness’ is the most common. Human error risk is particularly high when you’re dealing with physical patient data.

Most offices transfer files daily to a USB. Even the slightest of mistakes during this process can gravely harm your practice.

To be on the safe side, it’s prudent to employ the use of a secure cloud-based dental software.

#2: SIMPLIFY DAILY TASKS

With a dental management software, you can view and operate everything with the mere touch of a button. The system makes patient charting and tasks much less manual. What’s more is that you’re able to concentrate on patients rather than the software.

With an internet connection, you can access all your practice’s files from any location in the country or world. The simplification the software brings ensures the business runs smoothly and efficiently.

#3: INCREASED PROFITABILITY

Going digital affords your practice so much in terms of profitability. Dental practice management systems lower overhead expenditures. They cut back on staff and time needed for tasks like accounting and billing.

Because everything runs automatically on the background, you never have to worry about who is handling the tasks. Consequently, you’re able to keep your staff level down meaning your operational costs remain low.

Most importantly, a cloud-based management software works seamlessly alongside other systems all for the sole purpose of reducing overheads and increasing profitability.

#4: ENHANCE PATIENT EXPERIENCE

Dental software programs allow dentists and their staff to focus more on patient engagement and interaction. The easy nature of pulling up images, videos, X-rays etc., makes it effortless to address issues with patients and truly form a personal connection.

When patients can view images, video and X-rays of his/her tooth, the visual perspective makes their case acceptance a walk in the park.

Using a dental software affords your practice countless benefits. Are you looking for customized software solutions for your practice? Contact our experts at EHR1 today to learn more why dental software in the cloud is unquestionably superior.

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ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS SOFTWARE FOR DENTISTS

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 11:37:00 GMT

Working with several areas of the Electronic Health Records funding, consulting, and software process with medical providers gave us some great insights into all of the issues that you face. We’ve recently developed and passed certification for the first fully integrated cloud based electronic health record software specifically designed for dentists. While some similar options exist through using multiple providers for these services, we are the first to offer it all from one company. Working with some of the best engineers and developers in the industry we’re so certain you’ll love this software we are offering a free trial of our software to every new registration.

ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS SOFTWARE FOR DENTISTS – WHY OURS?

We’ve designed our software around a few key areas:

OUR CUSTOMER SUPPORT TEAM IS STANDING BY

With many options out there one area of focus we’ve developed is our customer support. You will never reach someone overseas or who does not know our software inside and out when you reach out to us. Whenever possible you will deal with your assigned representative who knows exactly what your goals and needs specifically are. While we work with many different styles of dental offices, each office is different. This is why we have developed customized segments and support that are tailored to exactly what you need.

Our goal is to improve patient care while making your life as a dentist easier at every occasion. We are so certain you will love your experience that every dentist who wants to try our software gets a free trial to make sure we’re a good fit to their practice. To date, no one has chosen to not use our software after giving it a chance.

Give us a call today at (888) 399-5507 to get started. We hope our solution to the need for an Electronic Health Records Software for Dentists meets with your approval the same as it has for thousands of dentists before you.

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