EMRs and Physical Therapists

Healthcare facilities nationwide continue to take steps toward implementing electronic medical records (EMRs) in order to improve the quality of care they deliver to patients. In addition to providing an easily accessible storage and retrieval system for patient information, EMRs—which are featured prominently in President Obama’s healthcare reform—allow caregivers to spend less time charting and more time with their patients, and this includes the nearly 200,000 physical therapists working in the U.S.

Recently, physical therapist and international marketing expert Nitin Chhoda presented a list of the top ten benefits of EMRs for physical therapists. As quoted this month in a press release, Chhoda says, ““The value can’t be understated. Physical therapy software offers distinct advantages over paper records and computerized data. Patients receive better care and therapists are reimbursed quicker. Analytics and metrics allow practice owners to market their practice with greater success.” Below is Chhoda’s list.

Top 10 Benefits of an Electronic Medical Records System for Physical Therapists

1. Accessibility – Records are available instantly from virtually any locale, with a complete tally of treatments, prescriptions and procedures from other healthcare providers.
    
2. Patient care – Physical therapy scheduling software allows practice owners to treat more patients with better efficiency.
    
3. Documentation – Patient records can be updated on the go, providing evidence in the event of a lawsuit, while reducing or eliminating reimbursement paybacks.
    
4. Faster reimbursements – Physical therapy billing is fast, can often be ready for submission before clients leave the office, and can be submitted electronically
    
5. Integration – EMRs fit into a practice’s normal workflow and activities, including faxing and prescription call-ins
    
6. Minimize risk – Physical therapists can identify patients that need reminders, those with a history of no-shows, and those that self-terminate treatment.
    
7. Referrals – Therapists can determine where referrals are originating, the number of new patients coming into the practice, and how many individuals actually make an appointment.
    
8. Marketing – EMRs offer physical therapy management to ascertain the effectiveness of marketing endeavors and where to focus future efforts.
    
9. Scheduling – Practice owners can control labor costs more effectively and schedule staff when and where they’re most needed.
    
10. Productivity – An EMR system facilitates the use and deployment of resources, allowing therapists to treat more patients, save time in documentation, and learn where to expand services or even open a new facility.

While the initial response to EMRs among healthcare professionals was mixed, more and more caregivers are recognizing the myriad benefits they provide. Ultimately, an electronic record system may be the key to improving patient care and outcomes in the therapy arena and beyond.

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