WinScribe has announced the release of its anticipated version 4.0.  This is a major release with exciting new functionality for WinScribe customers.  A new secretary client is designed to make identification of dictations easier, enhance team working and improve job filtering capabilities.  Additionally, the new version will improve a customer's ability to balance their workload by utilizing enhanced reporting tools.  Support for new devices and the ability to upload from new hardware will also improve the customers experience.

WinScribe has also improved its mobile solution by allowing a Blackberry client to be tethered, thus giving customers more options for dictation upload.  This means users will no longer have to rely on wireless as the sole method for dictation upload to the server.  The new platform will be available soon for deployment.  To view the WinScribe Press Release, follow the link provided below.

http://www.winscribe.com/about_winscribe/news/2009/18Aug09.asp

• Staplers are being returned to office supply closets in record numbers...
• Hospitals report fewer emergency room visits due to "paper cut episodes"...
• One office in Chicago voted to replace their copier with a Starbucks machine.
• Office bulletin boards cluttered with pictures of lawn mowers for sale instead of policy memorandums.

Some concerns have also been noted...

• Snack foods replacing file folders in worker's desk drawers.
• Job boards are filling with fax machine repairmen that are out of work.
• Instead of the average paper document being photo-copied 19 times, the average email is likely forwarded to 19 different people.
• In Santa Fe, an office worker was traumatized and went home because she feared being "shocked by electronic signatures".

Read how healthcare IT is extending EHR capabilities by linking to documents from disparate systems like transcription and document scanning solutions.

http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/product-spotlight-document-management

Challenge:  The cost of payment and collections processing, for physician and healthcare systems, is an incredible 30% of revenue.

This is even more staggering when you consider that, in comparison, the banking and financial services industry is able to run with automated billing systems that cost a mere 3% of revenue.  It’s no wonder healthcare systems are eager to solve the revenue cycle dilemma as fast as possible.

Why the discrepancy?  Much of the blame can be attributed to the fact that medical billing is a very tedious process.  After discharge, clerks work to pull together medical documentation for the episode.  From this point, an analyst reviews the documents and extracts the information that is relevant to the billing process.  A coder then scours the record and selects the proper diagnosis and procedure codes from reference books.  A data entry operator then enters the codes into the billing system.  This workflow is very time consuming and the potential for human error is great.  In addition to the FTE expense, statistics prove an even more alarming concern.  The likelihood that too many or too few codes are used is quite frequent.  Too many codes means the patient is overcharged and may lead to stiff penalties.  Missed codes means the patient is not charged enough and represents a loss of important revenue.  Added to this the HHS is focused on reducing overpayments attributed to claims that do not meet medical necessity requirements (RAC).  Healthcare systems are required to bolt on additional audit procedures and reprocess claims rejected due to errors.

Enter CAC, which stands for Computer Assisted Coding.  CAC utilizes complex computer algorithms called Natural Language Processing (NLP) to evaluate the un-structured medical record.  CAC structures the text that comes from transcribed reports and typed notes.  This allows doctors to work as they are accustomed to.  Codes are applied automatically and the information is sent to the billing system or an analyst for review.

Solutions such as Dolbey’s Fusion CAC will add both ICD-9 and CPT4 codes to process both inpatient and outpatient charts. This solution is the first and the only proven solution to provide computer assisted coding to both inpatient and outpatient charts.  This unique and exclusive capability gives hospitals the advantage of implementing one solution to meet the needs of your entire healthcare facility.

In many cases, manual coders, enhanced with the results of CAC, potentially approve or amend the automatic results to reduce effort by as much as 80%.  This reduced effort translates directly to a reduction in the time between discharge and revenue capture.  This time savings can have a direct impact on a hospital’s revenue cycle by decreasing the discharged but not final billed backlog and has other potential savings by eliminating dependency on outsourcing, reducing human coding errors and automating Present On Admission (POA) reporting.

Analysts estimate the worldwide market for automated coding will grow to $2.3 billion by 2013. This growth will be focused in the U.S. because of the primary role that insurance plays in the health care delivery system here.

Hyland Software has announced that development and testing of OnBase 9.0 has been completed and the latest version of its award-winning software is ready to be introduced to end users. OnBase 9.0 includes support for the latest Microsoft platforms, integrations with market-leading applications, new modules and notable enhancements. The thousands of software changes completed since the last release include...

New modules, including a new DoD 5015-certified records management solution, that delivers even more value to customers
 
New features that make it faster and easier to implement, upgrade and maintain OnBase solutions
 
Improved performance, particularly in the Web Server and Web Client, and a more consistent user experience across the OnBase user interfaces
  
There are more than 3,300 Software Change Requests completed and tested in OnBase 9.0.  Cantact Van Ausdall & Farrar at 800 467-7474 for more information.

An ASP, or Application Service Provider, is a business that provides software or computer based functionality over a network.  Also referred to as On-demand or SaaS, (Software as a Service), it is normal for the provider to issue specific application functionality, for a re-occurring fee, in place of software licensing.

So why have ASP’s gained popularity?  One reason is they rely on a foundational infrastructure that companies are already investing heavily in.  Today a company’s intranet and network infrastructure is among its most important IT priorities.  ASP’s rely on internet connectivity and today most companies view internet as a central business function, which means it is not included as a system cost.  Since servers, data storage and other associated costs are not needed with ASP's, customers have a very predictable expense model.

We know the associated costs of premise based systems can escalate.  In addition to Server and OS costs, a company will likely have database costs.  In addition, along with the server comes business continuity costs like malware protection and backups.  Other expenses included are the cost of IT people, administration training, space for equipment, electricity and software upgrades.  Most, if not all of these costs, including maintenance and installation of updates, can likely be deferred with an ASP.

So how does a Dictation ASP work?  Concepts vary, but it’s pretty straight forward.  In most cases, the exact same functionality that is incorporated into a premise based system can be found in a Dictation ASP.  The individual creating the voice recording may use a variety of equipment including handhelds, phone dictation and Blackberrys.  Jobs are tracked and voice recognition can also be utilized.  Fees for this service are usually predictable and based on the number of users.  There are typically no software license costs or upgrade fees as upgrades are normally built into the user fee.  Since upgrades are performed by the provider, the customer experiences very little hassle. 

Sounds good, right?  Well there are other considerations.  For one, the customer usually has to accept the system as it is without much customization.  Additionally, the provider usually determines when the system will be upgraded for all customers.  Also, since the solution is internet based, if the customer’s connection to the internet is down, some or all of the functionality is likely lost until service is restored.

Is a Dictation ASP right for you, or does a premise based system make more sense?  You’ll need to evaluate the cost versus benefits.  Keep in mind that as the cost of data centers decreases and bandwidth quality of data improves, the viability of this strategy will come around.

Leadership, Reliability, Satisfaction...
You may know Van Ausdall & Farrar as the provider of your equipment and the company to call when you have a problem with it.  Were you aware that VAF is also a name you can trust for sophisticated business applications? Many organizations count on us for technical leadership and a personal relationship that delivers reliability and satisfaction.  We have a solution that meets your business strategy including hosted environments, outsourcing and ecommerce.  I’ve outlined our framework below.

Enterprise Software
Van Ausdall & Farrar continues to provide leading solutions to the healthcare industry, legal groups, government and the general market, with a portfolio of enterprise solutions that address voice and document challenges that all businesses have.

Outsourcing Services
We have the ability to provide scalable transcription services to large and small health systems that delivers fast and accurate data to your business systems.

Application Services
Van Ausdall & Farrar is an Application Service Provider with multiple hosted solutions that minimize IT and infrastructure and capital equipment costs for our customers.

Equipment & Peripherals
We’re still a leading provider of dictation, transcription and document scanner devices and accessories with low prices and quality consultation.

Core Systems
Van Ausdall & Farrar leverages its long standing partnerships with core system vendors like Microsoft, Cisco, Hewlett Packard and others to deliver important core components for premise based systems.  We deliver fully functional database servers, redundant storage systems, network infrastructure, wireless infrastructure, security and firewall solutions, data backup solutions, virtualized environments and application delivery systems.

Online Order Fulfillment
In 2009 we introduced GetDictation.com, our first online store for nationwide purchase of voice and text products.

Professional Services
Van Ausdall & Farrar customers have come to expect first class technical knowledge over the years.  Today our Professional Services Group delivers on the expectation with quality, trained technical resources that facilitate all phases of solution delivery including; consultation, project management, implementation, training, integration, programming, software assurance, support , maintenance and warranty administration.

I’m confident our portfolio of business strategies that focuses on voice, text and content management solutions can improve bottom line profit and customer satisfaction for your organization.  Contact us for a no cost consultation.