NextGen EPM/EHR Customization for Ophthalmology: What to Expect

Electronic health record (EHR) and enterprise practice management (EPM) systems are critical aspects of modern healthcare infrastructure. However, relying on non-specialized, off-the-shelf software can severely limit what you can and can’t do in terms of patient care, billing, and collaboration.

For ophthalmology specialists, having access to the right templates and workflows is essential. Speed and accuracy of treatment can mean the difference between repairing someone’s sight and permanent disability. Accurate records and accelerated treatment authorization can be facilitated by EPM and EHR customization, building systems with the unique requirements of ophthalmology in mind.

Benefits of EPM/EHR Customization

The American healthcare system is moving on from physical records, with 77.8% of office-based physicians now utilizing certified EHR systems. Including ambulatory practitioners may increase this statistic, particularly as these types of healthcare professionals need reliable digital services to ensure patient data can be recorded from any location.

While any electronic system is better than none, a customized EPM/EHR is significantly better than one that doesn’t provide specialism-based ways to store and handle data.

There are some features that all EHRs should include:

• SOAP note templates

• Security that meets HIPAA standards

• Accurate timelines of individual care and treatment plans

• Full medical history

• Ways to store and access test results and treatment outcomes

But each specialism requires different ways of doing this. In women’s health, for example, there may be a need to log menstrual cycles and obstetric scans. For oncologists, there will be multiple scans and treatment entries that wouldn’t be relevant on a more generic EHR system. And, for ophthalmologists, it should be easy and intuitive to record eye tests, scans, and the results of vision- and eye-specific treatments.

Similarly, the right EPM should quickly consolidate practice-critical data. If a practice manager can instantly see that eye tests are taking longer than average, for example, they can address that with the relevant personnel. From there, they can decide that the practice needs additional equipment, more staff, or simply additional training.

Why One-Size-Fits-All EHR Systems Aren’t Sufficient

Without this level of customization, ophthalmologists are left trying to find workarounds and loopholes to store and share patient data. If a test result template lacks fields for the relevant data, it may need to be entered in a freeform manner. This can lead to details being missed, either by the next medical professional or the relevant insurance parties.

When insurers lack the necessary data, they may incorrectly decline procedures or refuse payment. Ophthalmologists are reliant on insurance employees reading potentially huge blocks of text, rather than simply picking the relevant details from a customized, intuitive template.

Declined or late payments and unauthorized treatment can lead to:

• Healthcare settings falling into debt

• Delayed treatment and procedures

• Reputational damage to the clinic, hospital, or ambulatory healthcare professional

The widespread adoption of EHR technology offers benefits ranging from improved patient outcomes to reduced workplace stress for medical professionals. However, those benefits are reduced if every healthcare setting utilizes the same type of EHR with no customization toward specialism.

What to Expect from NextGen EHR/EPM Customization for Ophthalmology

NextGen offers numerous services that help healthcare settings better record patient and billing data. The company also offers specialist services, including Ambient Assist, an AI-powered listening tool that takes and records notes automatically during eye tests and consultations.

NextGen systems also offer secure ways for patients to schedule their own appointments. This helps address one of the largest challenges in ophthalmology today — access to care. At least 46% of ophthalmology specialists are concerned that patients aren’t accessing the right care for their eyes. Empowering individuals to be more proactive and book appointments at times convenient for them could reduce this statistic.

Other features of an ophthalmology-focused EHR/EPM should include:

• Eye-specific DICOM (digital imaging and communications in medicine)

• Lens inventory management

• Secure communication between relevant eye care providers

• Scheduling tailored to eye-specific appointments and treatments

• Automatic follow-up reminders tailored to eye treatment timescales

Understanding the financial benefits of investing in EHR/EPM customization for ophthalmology settings can help gain the buy-in from finance teams and other stakeholders. NextGen services like the Enterprise Financial Suite, combined with specialty-based support, help ophthalmology providers reduce lag in initial charges and increase the effectiveness of collections efforts.

Client results show that ophthalmology and retina specialists enjoyed a reduction of days in accounts receivable (A/R) of 28%, a figure which increased to 36% when excluding bad debt.

How TempDev Can Help You Optimize Your Ophthalmology EHR/EPM Systems

Getting the most out of your NextGen EHR and EPM systems is easier when you work with an expert consultant. TempDev’s experience with these systems enables us to advise you on which services and platforms work best for ophthalmologists and how to customize software to meet your specific needs.

We offer numerous templates to help increase the value of your NextGen systems. We can help you create custom dashboards and reports that highlight outstanding test results, tasks, appointments, and more. With the proper support, you can leverage EPM customization that focuses on supporting best practices and enhancing your revenue cycle management.

Globally, 2.2 billion people experience vision impairment. We understand the importance of your work in ophthalmology in reducing those numbers and improving the quality of life for your patients. Work with TempDev to leverage systems that help you manage costs, cut treatment timelines, and improve patient outcomes. Contact TempDev online or call 888.TEMP.DEV to find out more about EHR customization for ophthalmology.