In a perfect world, your medical practice would routinely submit claims after seeing patients and then receive payment in a timely fashion, with nary a hiccup affecting your cash flow and bottom line. You would spend more time focusing on delivering high quality medical care and less time worrying about the financial aspects of the practice. Most managers of medical practices are aware of the need to automate processes as much as possible, and to that end, they will gladly implement electronic health record and practice management software for improved efficiency.

If your orthopedics practice has been getting by with generic software to manage operations or if you are still forcing the staff to contend with an old-fashioned, paper-based method to run the office, you should know that electronic health record software is now available to support your specialty.

A pediatrics practice has its own set of unique challenges that other specialties will not be so concerned with. This fact supports the notion that a pediatrics practice will benefit by using software designed with its unique patient demographics in mind, rather than trying to get by with more general software to manage things. If you are new to the idea of using specialized medical software to manage patients’ electronic health records, here are six characteristics your pediatric EHR software should have.

Electronic health record (EHR) adoption is increasing. Some surveys indicate four out of five United States physicians currently use systems for digital record keeping and peer-to-peer file sharing.

Implementing an electronic health record (EHR) has the potential to enhance healthcare delivery and expedite reimbursements. However, there are several significant risks for providers. Converting a manual system, or updating to a customized system, can be overwhelming for patients and staff members.

Increasing profitability and eliminating unnecessary administration burdens enable medical providers to focus on patient services and care delivery. Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) services allow practice administrators to nurture financial performance while medical staff nurtures healing and disease management.

Administrative burdens are taking the joy out of practicing medicine. Based on a RAND study that explored premature burnout, incoming AMA president Steven J. Stack, MD recently confirmed what many doctors have known for years. Overwhelming regulatory burdens are cutting into time formerly spent interacting with patients, reducing job satisfaction, straining tight budgets to near breaking points, and triggering earlier retirement. Stack said, “A healthier, happier nation (needs) a healthier, happier physician workforce.”

Now more than ever before, specialty practice administrators must think critically about balancing clinical and administrative skills with patient outcome goals and experiences.

It should go without saying that Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Services streamline claims processing and support financial stability. But, many specialty providers still don’t fully grasp the significant role that RCM plays in patient engagement and brand confidence building.

There are numerous benefits for providers and patients woven into Electronic Health Record (EHR) software. Not least among the advantages for physicians and ancillary organizations is improved coding for decision-making and financial resource management.