There’s no doubt technology can significantly enhance your practice in numerous ways. One of the most important tools leading practices leverage is an electronic patient records system.

However, having the software isn’t enough. To reap the benefits, your records need to be organized in a way that enables you to access the information you need quickly, without being bogged down by entering a lot of manual information.  

Use these tips below to make your electronic records software work smart for you.

Automate as much as you can

Your practice management software should help you eliminate as many of the countless manual steps as possible to update and maintain your patient records.  

While each patient record includes key static information like patient name and date of birth, it should also contain several dynamic sections that help you create comprehensive patient files without a lot of extra work.  

This may take a little bit of preparation on the front end, especially if you’re converting old paper records, but it pays off later by creating unique, robust patient files that are easy to sort and manage in multiple ways.

Dynamic sections may vary, but most contain:

  • Detailed chronological medical histories
  • Forms and documents like referral letters or follow-up instructions
  • An uploaded documents section for better information sharing among multiple providers
  • Invoicing and billing documents
  • A patient communications tracker  

Use templates and smart options to make data entry a breeze

Take advantage of smart tools and built-in templates to save time, boost your efficiency and simplify your practice.

Using features like drop-down lists, yes/no switches, radio buttons, and automatic date/time stamps helps you maintain records easily by simplifying the data entry process. No more typing in multiple lines of text repeatedly – click a few buttons, select options from a drop-down list, and use automated smart tools to do the work for you!

Custom templates and tools enable you to:

  • Sort files quickly
  • Minimize manual data entry errors
  • Communicate easily with patients, partners, vendors and more
  • Capture notes faster than ever before
  • Reduce staff workload and boost your practice’s productivity

Integrate multiple information sources into one

While technology takes much of the manual work and effort out of organizing electronic files, it doesn’t help if your system is unable to access or share information with other sources.

With a fully integrated system, you can have everything you need for a specific patient right at your fingertips. Instead of waiting days or weeks for physical copies of X-rays, test results or other scans, you can log in and access data immediately with a few simple clicks.  

Customized to meet your needs

Since every practice operates differently, it makes sense to customize your software for your practice’s needs.

With the vast range of tools and features available, it may seem overwhelming. So, it helps to take a step back and identify your practice’s requirements. From there, you can tailor your system to fit your needs, saving hours of work, headaches and stress for your entire team.

For example, maybe you need a system that provides auto-fill suggestions when you enter specific information. Or, perhaps you need a system that can easily adapt across various devices, so you can use it anytime, anywhere. Customizing your system saves valuable time, letting you focus more on your patients, thus improving patient satisfaction.

Trust Greyfinch

Not all practice management platforms are the same. Many offer basics like scheduling or treatment cards but have limited or outdated features that slow you down. Greyfinch offers one simple, web-based platform that helps you manage and grow your practice. Schedule your free demo today!