Tips for a Successful Meaningful Use Attestation

http://www.tedeytan.com/2010/08/03/5927 

YUMA District Hospital and Clinic has successfully attested for Meaningful Use; Congratulations YUMA! To share a different perspective, TSI Healthcare asked Jason at YUMA for some tips for MU success. We also asked Jason his thoughts about having TSI Healthcare as a partner in MU. Here is what he said:

Tips for other clients:

1.       Make sure that you have the full support of your Executive Leadership. From an Administrator to CEO/CFO/VP’s etc.

2.       Meaningful Use means change. Change in workflow and thought processes. Change is hard. Be compassionate to those that cannot handle change. Embrace and utilize those that thrive on it.

3.       Elect a physician champion. Usually someone that embraces change and will be the driving force to encourage other physicians. Usually the younger physicians find they cannot live without technology. Use them…

4.       Meet often. Create a Meaningful Use Task Force or Committee. Meet weekly to review current report levels and identify areas of improvement. Make the meetings brief and assign action items for members to follow up on.

5.       Give the committee structure. Elect a project manager and make sure to have someone take notes. Make sure each person realizes their role.

6.       Celebrate accomplishments. Go out to lunch or throw a party. This process is grueling, frustrating at times, but rewarding when you are helping transition health care into what it needs to be.

7.       Most of all, keep your family close. This process can take you away from those you love. When that happens, celebrate with them also…

TSI Healthcare as a partner:

                "TSI Healthcare has been a HUGE asset and leader in Health Care Reform for Yuma. Through numerous meetings, trainings, support sessions, webinars, phone calls, upgrades and implementations, etc. TSI has been there every step of the way. They have been the constant in this process. From day one, I felt reassured that everyone had our back. If we ever had a question, they were there. If we ever had an issue, they were there. Reliable is a good word to describe everyone at TSI. With reliability comes respect. With respect comes integrity. TSI embodies all of these. From the Front Desk to the President’s office, everyone at TSI has played a role in us reaching Meaningful Use. We could not of achieved this without their support and dedication to our success. Special thanks to Christian, Amanda, Jeff, Natalie, Jason, Donnie, David for all your support and everything you have done for Yuma District Hospital and Clinics. Here’s to many more years of valued support…"

Thank you for the tips and encouraging words YUMA! Congrats and keep up the good work!

How to Increase Patient Portal Registration

After touting the merits of patient portal, it’s only fair to share some tips about how to increase registration and utilization of your patient portal. TSI Healthcare has noted portals take a few months to really get up and running as patients need time to make an office visit and then register online. Patient portal is worth the investment as it better links providers with their patients. We’ve gathered tips and tricks from our clients who’ve already successfully introduced NextGen Patient Portal to their patients!

Here are some of TSI Healthcare’s tips to increase utilization:

1. Place brochures at check-in, check-out, and in the waiting room advertising the perks of patient portal—such as a faster way to get lab results or refill prescriptions!

2. Use appointment reminder cards with information about patient portal and, if applicable, the online scheduling feature.

3. When patients call in to refill an Rx, remind them of their ability to refill their Rx at their own convenience online.

4. Place a computer in the waiting room so patients can use their wait time to register with the support of office staff or even complete new patient paperwork.

Here are some of TSI Healthcare’s tips on how to leverage patient portal to benefit your practice:

1.    Email patients applicable awareness information. For example, use your patient portal to email all female patients over 40 years some Breast Cancer awareness information or a reminder to make a mammogram appointment during February, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This website features a comprehensive list of health observances: http://healthfinder.gov/nho/nho.asp

2. Encourage patients with chronic diseases to track important self-test measures such as glucose levels to be routinely monitored by a health professional in between office visits.

3. Email patients pertinent practice information like closings and holiday hours.

The key to utilizing patient portal is getting your patients online and interacting with their portal. Having an office staff—including physicians and nurses—talking about the key features of your patient portal will help increase your patients’ interest in their patient portal.  TSI Healthcare is dedicated to your adoption success!