A reliable radiology information system (RIS) offers the electronic means to efficiently manage a radiology practice in all aspects that offer the best in patient care and practice management.

If you're a physician, nurse, or another type of healthcare provider, you know what a huge burden prior authorization can be as it's extremely time-consuming. In fact, almost 90 percent of doctors have reported that prior authorization has become worse over the last five years. Here's what you need to know about prior authorization, along with the importance of choosing the best electronic prior authorization software.

It takes a lot of time and dedication to run a successful radiology practice. Many practices rely on obsolete systems based on paper to maintain files on patients and organize their work. These practices are at a severe disadvantage compared to practices which use a radiology information system.

Do you own or manage a large radiology business and are noticing a decline in your patient population? Or maybe your problem is not being able to maintain a competent workforce. If these issues describe you, your dilemma could be linked to using outdated ways of keeping records. More and more healthcare professionals are becoming aware of the need to modernize how records are kept by using a state-of-the-art radiology information system (RIS). Here are some of the pros and cons of a radiology information system and its software, along with a few considerations and warnings. What Is a Radiology Information System? Even though radiology information systems were first introduced in the 1980s, many people are still unfamiliar with them. Basically, a radiology information system is a software system used to manage medical data and imagery. It's used to track radiology, imaging orders, and billing information. The system allows you to combine several functions into a single comprehensive system.

Savvy physicians and medical practice managers alike know how important it is to take full advantage of the software and computer technology supporting their daily work in examining, diagnosing, and treating patients. This means that while you may have installed a radiology information system on the premises, you aren’t necessarily getting everything out of it.

Healthcare professionals tend to use a great deal of jargon when speaking amongst themselves, and this should be no surprise. It’s a natural part of how people in different industries can communicate more effectively with one another. Acronyms in particular prove to be beneficial because they offer a shorthand way to describe situations, processes, concepts, and other specific items that would otherwise take longer to discuss.

It can be extremely difficult to get by with an outdated, paper-based system to manage all the patients you treat in your radiology practice. Owners and managers of radiology-focused practices who fail to computerize their operations run the risk of losing patients as well as staff because most people dislike putting up with inefficiencies when more suitable alternatives are now available. So, if you have been seeing a decline in your patient population or are having difficulty attracting and holding onto a competent work force, part of the problem might be your antiquated methods for record keeping.

Radiology practices considering implementing a Radiology Information System (RIS) or upgrading an existing system to improve internal efficiency and productivity may not have the time to invest in comparing new products on the market. From protecting your revenue stream to managing legal challenges, the system you choose will have a large impact on your practice and your clients.

Running a successful radiology practice requires a great deal of time and attention, with so many moving parts to keep track of. Practices that rely on antiquated paper-based systems to organize their work and maintain files on patients are at a distinct disadvantage when compared to competitive radiology practices that have embraced modern technology in the form of a Radiology Information System.

When tax dollars are fed into the healthcare system, taxpayers will naturally have a vested interest in seeing costs lowered and efficiency improved. From family doctors to specialists of all types, there is a move toward promoting quality of care over quantity of care.