Home > Resources > Articles > Virtual Reality in Healthcare: Transforming the Future of Healthcare

Virtual Reality in Healthcare: Transforming the Future of Healthcare

BINEESH MATHEW | December 29, 2020 | 2331 views

Virtual reality (VR), the new technological advancement, is set to transform practices in the healthcare industry. According to Statista, it is estimated that, by 2022, the second largest market share of VR will be from the healthcare industry. Virtual reality in healthcare operates in various divisions to offer a greater quality of patient care and performance of medical professionals. For the health and healthcare industry, from the clinical process to the user, VR has a multitude of applications such as tutoring future doctors, generating new life-saving routines, etc.

Virtual reality in healthcare can confront the challenges in the industry, including efficiently handling huge healthcare databases, training and development of medical professionals, patient engagement, disease awareness, medical marketing, patient treatment, etc. Virtual reality in the healthcare market, according to a report from Reports and Data, is expected to reach USD 8.03 billion by 2027 from USD 2.06 billion in 2019.

This article discusses how virtual reality in healthcare is going to transform the industry by applying it in various divisions such as medical training, patient treatment, patient engagement, disease awareness, and medical marketing.

 

Virtual Reality in Healthcare Training

VR in healthcare can transport you to areas, inside of the human body, that otherwise would be impossible to access and view. Medical students currently use cadavers to learn, but cadavers do not react the same way live patients do. Also, cadavers are very difficult to get hold of.  When VR is used in healthcare training, students can view even minute detail of all parts of the body. This view is possible in stunning 360° CGI reconstruction and creates training scenarios, which would replicate real surgical procedures.

Virtual Reality in healthcare can be used to deliver high-quality surgical training. Using virtual reality, 4K 360° video of real-life surgery is filmed from multiple angles. Then it is combined with CGI models of the anatomy, which is being operated. This advanced use of virtual reality in healthcare provides medical students with an interactive and immersive training experience.

 

Treatment

Patient Education

The ability of virtual reality in healthcare to see inside of the human body is useful for both doctors and patients. With the help of VR, doctors can take patients through their surgical plan. This is made possible by a virtual view of the anatomy and pathology of patients through a patient-specific 360° VR reconstruction. The result of this is an enhanced understanding of the treatment for patients and higher patient satisfaction.

 

Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is a recent innovation. A robotic device, such as a robotic arm, is used in a robotic surgery while being controlled by a human surgeon. This utilization of virtual reality in healthcare makes sure of fewer or no risk of complications in surgeries. This also makes the surgeon finish the surgery procedure faster with greater accuracy. The robotic devices are accurate with reduced blood loss, smaller incisions, and faster recovery.

 

Mental Health and Psychological Therapy

The unique ability of virtual reality technology to take you anywhere virtually can be utilized to create a powerful virtual reality simulation in healthcare of various scenarios in which psychological issues occur. This eliminates the necessity of a therapist accompanying patients to various scenarios such as a tall building or a crowded shopping center to provide proper counseling. These scenarios can be easily created with virtual reality technology in healthcare.  Virtual reality in healthcare market has also been used to help autistic children in the classroom, curb memory loss, and gather data for dementia research.

 

Pain Management and Physical Therapy

Apart from psychological issues, the healing capabilities of VR are also used in pain management and physical treatment. According to a study by the UW Harborview Burn Centre and the University of Washington Seattle, a full VR immersion acted as a distraction for patients, who were undergoing physical therapy after a skin graft. This distraction subsequently reduced their feeling of pain.

Virtual reality in healthcare is also found to be effective in reducing recovery time in physical therapy. Patients performing their daily exercises in a virtual environment, find the task to be more fun than usual.  It also keeps the patients focused and helps them keep their spirits up and recover sooner.

 

Patient Engagement

With the help of virtual reality in healthcare, patients can experience a virtual tour of the inside of their bodies before surgeries. This is a 360-degree, three-dimensional (3D) tour. This enables patients to know their body, anatomy, and pathology, before the surgical procedures. Virtual Reality Medical Visualization platform is developed for the tour.

These advancements with virtual reality in healthcare engage patients thoroughly, which reduces tension and lead to a speedy recovery.

 

Medical Marketing

The most popular and initial application of Virtual reality was marketing. Still, it continues to be one of the most effective and powerful marketing tools. The ability to use VR to project the future of healthcare is the most powerful tactic in healthcare marketing. With Virtual reality in healthcare, one of the most powerful tactics that you can have to market in the industry is to show people what changes they can expect when they start or stop exercising, lose or gain weight, the progress they make through cancer treatments, etc.

As the possibilities of virtual reality in healthcare are endless, healthcare professionals and providers can attract more patients, doctors with high caliber, and nursing staff to your facilities. When those are in short supply, virtual reality in healthcare can be used as an excellent healthcare marketing tool to ensure expected results.

 

Disease Awareness

AbbVie, a pharmaceutical research & development company, created an experience to educate medical professionals and raise awareness among them regarding the daily struggle Parkinson’s disease patients undergo. The experience was demonstrated at a pharmaceutical industry trade show. People put on a headset and experienced how Parkinson’s sufferers navigate a virtual supermarket, meeting with difficult moments when they come in contact with other people.

Such experiences with virtual reality in healthcare help raise awareness for various diseases among professionals and patients. Virtual reality presentations can be conducted to raise awareness of certain diseases.

 

The Future of Virtual Reality in Healthcare

A lot of applications of virtual reality in healthcare are in their nascent stage. In the coming years, virtual reality will be used more in healthcare, which will improve the effectiveness and accuracy of present procedures. It will also enhance the various human capabilities, for both patients and medical professionals. Virtual reality in healthcare has huge potential, but only limited by the ingenuity and creativity of people who create and apply the technology. VR will surely transform medical training, physical and psychological therapies, rehabilitation, mental health treatments, and patient engagement, among others.

Virtual reality in healthcare holds the power to transform the way doctors are trained and treatment is provided to patients. According to reports from various market research companies, especially research done by Grand View Research, predict that, by 2025, virtual reality in the healthcare market will grow to a whopping US$5.1 billion. The major driving forces behind this growth are Rapid technological advancements in the healthcare industry and driving demand for rehabilitation and simulation training.

 

Frequently asked questions

 

How is virtual reality used in healthcare?

In healthcare, virtual reality is used in treatment, training, and to raise awareness among medical professionals and patients regarding various diseases. Patients and doctors are made to view the inside of the human body using virtual reality.

 

Where is virtual reality used in healthcare?

Virtual reality is used in various sectors of healthcare to deliver high quality patient care. Treatment with the assistance of virtual reality also increases the efficiency of medical professionals. Virtual treating is applied in all aspects of medical treatment.

 

What are the benefits of virtual reality?

Virtual reality in healthcare saves both, the time and money of healthcare providers. It also makes the work of medical professionals more convenient. It eliminates unnecessary travel for treatments by making appropriate decisions.

 

How virtual reality is changing healthcare?

Virtual reality is changing the healthcare by providing different advanced ways of treatments, especially for physical and psychological therapy, surgeries, pain management, and stress management and by assisting the rehabilitation process effectively.

Spotlight

Robotics Care AB

Robotics Care AB was founded in 2013 by innovator Thomas Ryberg with the aim of developing and commercializing Poseidon. In a short period of time, Robotics Care AB has built up important collaborations in relevant sectors, and strengthened the position as an innovation company focusing on quality assurance solutions.

OTHER ARTICLES
HEALTHTECH SECURITY, HEALTHCARE ANALYTICS

Top 15 EMR Conferences to Look Out for in 2023

Article | April 3, 2023

Electronic medical records (EMR) conferences are vital for professionals who wish to stay updated on latest healthcare innovations. Join industry experts to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. Contents 1. Significance of Global EMR Events 2. Best Electronic Medical Records Conferences in Healthcare 2.1 MedInfo 2023 2.2 e-Health 2023 Conference and Tradeshow 2.3 Digital Healthcare World Congress 2023 2.4 11th International Conference on Internal Medicine & Patient Care 2.5 openEHR Conference 2.6 Oracle Health Conference 2.7 Electronic Medical Records Boot Camp 2.8 The Healthcare Innovation Congress 2.9 Digital Health Transformation Summit 2023 2.10 World Medical Innovation Forum 2.11 Bits & Pretzels Healthtech 2.12 IHI Patient Safety Congress 2.13 Intelligent Health Conference 2023 2.14 HealthTech Innovation Days 2.15 Digital Health Innovation Summit 3. Wrapping Up 1. Significance of Global EMR Events Electronic medical records (EMR) are digital versions of patients’ medical information. These can be managed, accessed, and shared by authorized healthcare providers within a single healthcare organization. Staying informed with the latest updates on EMR conferences is crucial for healthcare providers, administrators, and IT professionals responsible for implementing and maintaining these systems. Attending these conferences offers the opportunity to keep up with the latest trends and technologies, network with experts, earn continuing education credits, and enhance professional development in the rapidly-evolving healthcare landscape. 2. Best Electronic Medical Records Conferences in Healthcare Explore the EMR conference schedule and highlights for the healthcare industry, featuring the best EMR conferences for medical professionals with a focus on digital health, electronic patient records, and other notable advancements. Attend these top events to stay informed and connect with industry experts: 2.1MedInfo 2023 July 8 to 12 | Sydney MedInfo, a health informatics event with the theme ‘The Future is Accessible’, will take place at the International Convention Centre (ICC). The conference aims to explore digital healthcare beyond borders and will feature 700 keynote speakers addressing over 3,000 delegates from more than 50 countries. The event will cover a diverse range of topics, with particular emphasis on nursing and digital health. 2.2e-Health 2023 Conference and Tradeshow May 28 to 30 | Toronto e-Health, a premier event for Canadian digital health professionals, will be held at Beanfield Centre. Committed to making a difference in health and healthcare delivery, this annual conference & tradeshow has remained a vital epicenter of digital health discussion and debate since 2000, attracting a diverse line-up of in-demand speakers, expert panelists, presenters, and leading-edge exhibitors. Attendees can expect a wonderful platform to learn, connect, and engage with peers both nationally and globally, along with networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities. 2.3 Digital Healthcare World Congress 2023 May 23-24 | London Digital Health World Congress 2023, slated to take place at Kensington Conference & Event Centre, will feature discussions on various medical and mobile technologies such as e-health, m-health, telehealth, telemedicine, genomics, biotech, life sciences, healthtech, genetics, pharma, and healthcare IT. This event will be crucial for healthcare professionals looking to gain insights into the latest developments in electronic medical records. 2.4 11th International Conference on Internal Medicine & Patient Care July 20-21 | Florida The conference aims to explore the latest developments and advancements in the field of internal medicine through the theme of ‘Current Research and Advances in Internal Medicine’. It will cover topics such as dermatology, cosmeceuticals, and laser treatments, with a significant scientific session on ‘Electronic Medical Record and Disease Management’. Attendees can take advantage of opportunities to present their research, learn about career development, and gain insights into the latest tools & technologies. The conference promotes collaboration among young researchers and offers a chance to interact with peers and established leaders globally. 2.5 openEHR Conference June 6 | Barcelona openEHR aims to bring together healthcare professionals, medical informatics experts, care providers, researchers, authorities, regulators, and service providers. The event's theme 'No time to waste: building the lifelong, patient-centric EHR,' emphasizes raising awareness about the current state of semantic interoperability in healthcare. The objective is to enable different healthcare systems and applications to share and utilize patient data seamlessly and accurately, irrespective of the technology used, to create patient-centric electronic records that can be accessed and used throughout a patient's lifetime. 2.6 Oracle Health Conference September 18-20 | Las Vegas Attend the Oracle Health Conference to discover how Oracle Health is revolutionizing healthcare technology. Formerly known as the Oracle Cerner Health Conference, this event features innovative product demos, education sessions on industry challenges, and networking opportunities with like-minded peers. Gain insights into how technology can improve patient outcomes, enhance clinical efficiency, and drive innovation in healthcare organizations. 2.7 Electronic Medical Records Boot Camp August 21-22 | Virtual The upcoming Electronic Medical Records Boot Camp invites attendees to gain valuable insights into biostatistical methods for analyzing EMR data. This intensive two-day program features seminars and hands-on analytical sessions, providing attendees with an overview of electronic health data opportunities, statistical challenges, and the latest techniques related to electronic medical records. The program aims to help attendees leverage electronic medical records for better healthcare outcomes. 2.8 The Healthcare Innovation Congress June 20 – 22, 2023 | Washington, DC The Healthcare Innovation Congress (thINc360), formerly known as The World Health Congress, aims to bring together executives from a wide range of healthcare sectors. Over the course of three days, the conference will offer tailored educational experiences specifically designed for executives representing healthcare professionals, health plans, and hospitals. 2.9 Digital Health Transformation Summit 2023 May 22-24 | Chicago This event aims to highlight how innovation is driving change across the healthcare industry, leading to gains in quality, affordability, accessibility, and sustainability. The panel of Modern Healthcare's Top 25 Innovators will discuss the latest innovative projects, products, and developments in healthcare, including the use of AI to leverage the abundance of patient data from EHRs and digital tools for improved diagnoses, treatments, and disease prevention. 2.10 World Medical Innovation Forum June 12-14 | Boston World Medical Innovation Forum (WMIF) is a global event that brings together leaders in healthcare investment, technology, manufacturing, and regulation at Westin Boston Seaport District. The forum, presented by Mass General Brigham and Bank of America, aims to advance patient-benefitting technologies by exploring the promise of new patient care and addressing the challenges to their development and investment. The ultimate goal is to find solutions to medical, operational, and economic challenges to benefit patients, providers, and healthcare organizations at the earliest feasible time. 2.11 Bits & Pretzels Healthtech June 20-21 | Munich he conference will focus on technology-driven healthcare innovation and its potential to enhance patient outcomes. The conference will explore the patient journey from prevention to aftercare, with a focus on technology's role in driving innovation. Attendees will examine how new technologies such as AI, bio 2.0, and IoT ingestible can improve healthcare delivery. 2.12 IHI Patient Safety Congress May 22-24 | Maryland Organized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the event, which will take place at National Harbor, aims to bring individuals together who are passionate about ensuring safe and equitable care for patients in all settings, including hospitals, outpatient facilities, and homes. It will feature engaging speakers who will share their vision for smarter, safer care, and attendees will have access to practical workshops, which will provide real-world insights that can be implemented within their organizations. This event is a must-attend for anyone interested in shaping the future of patient safety. 2.13 Intelligent Health Conference 2023 June 14 | Pilestredet The Intelligent Health Conference 2023 is an event organized by Intelligent Health Initiative at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University to provide an update on the latest developments & research in the field of digital health. The event will bring together experts & researchers in the field to discuss the use of digital technologies such as AI and wearable devices for improved health services. The conference will focus on various technologies that are becoming an integrated part of daily life, including mobile health and applications, electronic medical records, and telehealth as well as telemedicine. 2.14 HealthTech Innovation Days October 24-25 | Paris October 27 | Virtual The fifth edition of HealthTech Innovation Days (HTID) event, organized by the non-profit organization HealthTech Care and initiated by France Biotech, aims to facilitate faster delivery of innovative products to patients by providing a platform for European life sciences stakeholders. The HTID event provides various activities to facilitate the progress of innovation, such as the chance to engage with knowledgeable professionals, participate in panel discussions led by experts from around the world, and obtain valuable insights into critical subjects. 2.15 Digital Health Innovation Summit June 6-7, 2023 | California The 23rd rebranded edition of Digital Health Innovation Summit, organized by World BI, will take place at Hyatt Regency San Francisco Embarcadero Waterfront Hotel. The event aims to provide a unique opportunity for professionals in the pharma, healthcare, and medtech industries to connect with thought leaders, explore the latest trends in digital health technologies & advancements in electronic medical records, and gain valuable insights to enhance patient care. With the participation of clinicians, scientists, entrepreneurs, biomedical engineers, patient advocates, and top technology providers, this summit will serve as a crucial gathering for professionals driving innovation in healthcare. 3. Wrapping Up Participating in electronic medical records conferences can facilitate professional development, accrue continuing education credits, and help individuals stay abreast of the rapidly-evolving healthcare landscape. EMR conferences frequently offer focused conference tracks or sessions dedicated to various EMR-related topics such as implementation, data analytics, interoperability, privacy and security, and patient engagement. Participating in these specialized tracks can provide attendees with a more targeted and comprehensive learning experience, and can contribute significantly to improving the quality of healthcare delivery, enhancing patient outcomes, and driving innovation in the healthcare industry.

Read More
DIGITAL HEALTHCARE

Boost Your Lab's Efficiency with LIMS Software

Article | March 29, 2023

Contents 1. Getting Started with LIMS Software 2. Benefits of Incorporating LIMS Software into Lab Management 3. LIMS Software Classification 4. Selecting the Right LIMS Software: A Comparison of Variants 5. How LIMS Software Revolutionized Laboratory Management 6. Future Scope 1. Getting Started with LIMS Software Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) software automates laboratory operations, improves productivity, and ensures the accuracy as well as reliability of laboratory data. It can be implemented in clinical laboratories, research & development labs, and environmental testing labs and tailored to meet specific needs. LIMS software seamlessly integrates with other laboratory systems, such as electronic lab notebooks and scientific data management systems. LIMS class software enables storing and managing all information in one place, improving day-to-day work. Yet, research reveals that still 40% of industry leaders 'had not embarked on applying digital to research and development or quality control labs'. (Source: Accenture) 2. Benefits of Incorporating LIMS Software into Lab Management By implementing LIMS software, laboratories can significantly reduce time spent locating samples and records, entering data, and generating reports. LIMS software also offers additional advantages when integrated into laboratory management, such as 1. Optimizing: LIMS automates laboratory processes, allowing for a paperless environment and increased productivity. It also ensures accurate test results by preventing the use of outdated instruments. 2. Automating: LIMS facilitates the input of essential sample information, including its source, date, time, and location of the collection as well as processing data. 3. Compliant: LIMS helps labs follow FDA regulations by creating an audit trail that tracks all activities, including record creation, modification, and deletion. It also enables electronic signatures to authenticate key activities and keep data secure and traceable. 4. Collaborative: LIMS streamlines inter-laboratory collaboration through the option to share data access. This allows lab technicians from disparate laboratories to be seamlessly assigned to different projects and obtain the required information without disruption. 5. Security: LIMS systems offer various mechanisms for managing user access, such as an in-built user management system with a unique username and password, integration with LDAP or Active Directory for user authentication, and access through an Identity Server. 3. LIMS Software Classification Laboratory Information Management System software can be classified based on several criteria, including functionality, deployment model, industry focus, and the laboratory's needs. Here is a list of critical features that can be considered while classifying LIMS software: 1. Functionality: Different LIMS software may have varying functionality, including sample tracking, data management, instrument integration, quality control, workflow management, and reporting. 2. Deployment Model: LIMS software can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud. On-premises deployment means that the software is installed and run on the laboratory's own servers, while cloud-based deployment means that the software is hosted and maintained by a third-party provider. 3. Industry Focus: LIMS software can be designed for specific industries or applications, such as pharmaceutical research, clinical laboratories, food and beverage testing, environmental testing, and more. 4. Open-Source vs. Proprietary: LIMS software can also be classified as either open-source or proprietary. Open-source software is freely available and can be modified by users, while a company owns proprietary software and requires a license to use it. 5. Scalability: The size of the laboratory and the number of users accessing the LIMS software can also be a factor in classification. Some LIMS software may be more scalable, allowing for easy expansion as the laboratory grows. 6. Integration Capabilities: LIMS software can also be classified based on its ability to integrate with other software or instruments. Some LIMS software may be more flexible and have better integration capabilities than others, allowing for seamless data exchange between different systems. 4. Selecting the Right LIMS Software: A Comparison of Variants While selecting the most appropriate LIMS variant, the wide range of available options can pose a challenge for laboratory decision-makers. To aid in this selection process, a comprehensive comparative analysis of LIMS variants is presented below: 1. Lab managers can adopt an objective approach for evaluating and comparing different LIMS solutions by creating a grading rubric. This involves designing a table with separate columns for each LIMS vendor and rows listing the desired features as well as functionalities. To provide a more comprehensive evaluation, advanced rubrics may include rating each functionality on a particular LIMS using a scale of 1 to 5. 2. Next, it is crucial to review how LIMS solutions are structured and stored. This includes determining whether the solution is on-premise or cloud-based, either as a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) or software-as-a-service (SaaS). For optimal flexibility in the laboratory's computing structure, choosing a vendor that offers LIMS as a comprehensive solution is advantageous. 3. Data access must be controlled by using unique user IDs and passwords. Furthermore, data security standards such as HIPAA compliance and SSL encryption will likely be mandatory across many laboratory industries. It is thus imperative to carefully consider and ensure the security features of any potential LIMS solution. 4. To assess the level of support that can be expected with a particular LIMS, one effective method is to directly inquire with the software vendor about outages, response time, and plans of action to address any glitches preemptively. Managing expectations around the LIMS requires asking about the frequency of LIMS updates, including how often the platform is updated, how updates are announced and deployed, and the expected duration of any update-related outages. 5. While selecting a LIMS solution, laboratories must establish a target go-live date, especially when implementing the system in response to, or preparation for, an audit. Software vendors should provide a deployment and implementation timeline, which can be used to compare with the laboratory's objectives and goals. This helps to ensure that the LIMS solution is implemented in a timely and efficient manner. 5. How LIMS Software Revolutionized Laboratory Management LIMS software has fundamentally revolutionized the laboratory management system in several ways. Before the advent of LIMS, laboratory operations were often paper-based and highly manual, leading to inefficiencies, errors, and inconsistencies. However, with the implementation of LIMS, laboratories have become more efficient, accurate, and compliant. LIMS has also improved laboratory productivity, allowing scientists to focus on higher-value tasks like data analysis and interpretation. It has enabled collaboration between different laboratories, facilitating communication and knowledge sharing between scientists, researchers, and analysts, and is also leading to more significant innovation and progress in the field of science and research. 6. Future Scope The future scope of Laboratory Information Management System software is promising as it continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of laboratory management. Potential developments include integrating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics, cloud-based solutions for scalability and accessibility, IoT integration for automation and safety, enhanced data analytics for improved decision-making, and mobile applications for on-the-go access. Moreover, with SaaS LIMS, there are no license costs, minimal installation fees, and no need for in-house servers or databanks, resulting in reduced IT maintenance costs for hardware and software.

Read More
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, MEDICAL DEVICES

The Top Wellness Programs Most Employees Prefer: Weight Management, Smoking Cessation, and Mental Health

Article | May 22, 2023

It’s no secret that the working world has changed these past few years, but employees have also undergone a lot of personal transformation due to these shifts. Struggles with health, home life, or personal issues can make it hard for them to work. Burnout is increasing worldwide, with 40% of desk-job workers feeling mentally distanced from work, depleted of energy, and increased negativity. Younger workers are already becoming drained by work life, which could spell trouble for future generations of employees. Despite these challenges, the workplace is the best place to help staff improve their wellness, especially since they spend most of their time working or in the office. Wellness programs can be implemented to help employees feel rejuvenated and respected, which will boost their performance at work. Here are some examples of programs your workers might enjoy Weight Management Programs The idea of a weight management program at work may seem like something employees could be offended by, but it can help workers build healthy habits and assess their lifestyle to help them achieve better health. Employees can learn to manage their diet better, leading to weight loss and a lowered risk of certain health conditions. These programs can also identify the need for medical weight loss strategies. For employees struggling with pre-obesity—a complex disease influenced by several factors often out of an individual’s control—personalized lifestyle changes and FDA-approved medications can be recommended. With chronic weight issues, doctors can prescribe medications that can help produce an average of 15% weight loss, especially when individual biology makes doing so harder. Employees can look for the help they need for wellness and weight loss, which can help them feel cared for by the company. When workers are at their peak physically, they can enjoy a healthier lifestyle and will be more efficient at work. Quit Smoking Programs Smoking is usually a means for employees to reduce stress, but it can greatly impact their personal and professional lives. Smokers tend to be more absent or disengaged at work than non-smokers. Presenteeism at work is also associated with heavy smoking. Employees coming to work despite health issues can lead to subpar performances. This can cost workplaces a lot of money in lost productivity, and workers will also suffer from health consequences. Smoking cessation programs can help employees reduce their tobacco consumption and quit smoking for better health and productivity. These programs can include counseling, suggesting smoking cessation products or nicotine replacement therapy, or other initiatives tailored to individuals. Your staff may need more motivation when trying to quit, so having more support and a community to confide in can help. Mental Health Programs Mental health in the workplace was largely ignored for many years, as many saw it as a personal issue. However, work can contribute significantly to employees’ mental health problems or exacerbate mental illnesses like anxiety and depression. Improving these conditions is vital to improving many aspects of life for employees. Workers will better enjoy work and perform well when they know they’re being supported. Mental health is also paramount to sustainable development and plays a significant role in transforming the world as a whole. Treating and monitoring mental wellness should be prioritized at work and beyond. Though companies may not have the means to properly diagnose or treat workers’ mental illnesses, mental health programs can help give employees and managers the education and resources to help improve mental wellness. Education and training on mental health can aid people in spotting issues and having them addressed or equip people with the ability to provide proper support or encouragement. These programs can also help the business take the initiative and offer other resources to improve mental health. That can be through mental health sick leaves, adding napping or gaming areas to the office, or offering mental health apps or counseling in benefits packages. When your staff is appreciated and taken care of, it’ll improve their overall well-being and life at work and home.

Read More
DIGITAL HEALTHCARE

Ways to Drive Practice Revenue and Reduce Your Accounts Receivable

Article | March 29, 2023

Managing accounts receivable (A/R) in private practice is a constant battle for physicians. Though most understand that lowering their A/R is critical for improving their practices’ efficiency and profitability, physicians often do not know how to address issues like lengthy collection periods and insurance claim denials. It can be complex to manage A/R, as doing so involves various parties, including insurance carriers, the patient, the front office and billing staff, and the provider. All must work together to achieve a clean claims rate and avoid denials. The best way to improve medical billing A/R is to reduce claim denials and speed up the patient collections process. In addition, you’ll need to ensure that patients and staff are filling out paperwork correctly and submitting claims on time. Other areas to manage are the follow-ups to correct errors and past-due accounts. Accounts receivable is a collaborative effort Each member of the practice staff plays an integral role in reducing claims denial rates. Take an all-hands-on-deck approach in order to identify issues and develop solutions. Start by making every team member privy to the A/R management process. This will ensure everyone is on the same page and involved. It will also help to increase efficiency, avoid redundancies, and eliminate mistakes that could waste time or profitability. The front office staff is the front line of A/R. They are the first to verify and update patients’ insurance and personal details like address and contact information. They must also ensure that patients sign certain documents, like financial policies. Providers are the next line of A/R. Providers select current procedural terminology (CPT) codes, and must be mindful of tedious details such as bundling correctly in order to ensure that claims are approved. A conscientious provider should not only select appropriate billing codes but also double-check the patient information that the front office staff provide. The billing office is a final line of defense and should triple check that the patient’s information and the CPT codes are correct. Billing office staff are also responsible for ensuring the claims are submitted on time and that duplicates are not submitted. Establish financial policies Every practice needs clearly defined financial policies around patients or clients. Having these policies in place helps to clarify financial details and creates workflows and processes for staff to follow. Here are a few elements to consider: State whether the practice will accept personal checks and, if so, what charges or actions are in place for bounced checks. Consider implementing technologies that convert paper checks to electronic transactions and verify them before patients leave the office. Include a financial responsibilities section with information about who is responsible for the claim(s) if a patient’s insurance carrier partially or fully denies their claim. Define the debt collection process. Patients should quickly know how long they have to pay their bills and at what point you may sell their debt to a third-party debt collectors agency. Medical records can be copious, and practices often need to make physical copies of them. Consider implementing a policy that covers a pay-per-page cost associated with medical records. Automate patient statements and payments Offer different payment options for patients by implementing technologies and creative solutions that make it easier for them to pay their bills. Look for solutions that reduce manual work and provide reporting that tracks efficacy across delivery modes. Here are a few approaches to consider: Automate sending statements via text message or email to help improve the rate of online payments. Add QR codes to online and paper statements to help patients quickly access payment portals. Offer payment plans, especially with low to no interest, to make it easier for patients to pay down balances. Establish a written collections process Not collecting patient payments at the time of service is the biggest challenge to patient collections. Establishing a written collections process can help to alleviate that pain point and clarify the practice’s policies and procedures so that patients can understand them more clearly and easily. Here are some guidelines to follow when creating your policies: Include when, how, and how often bills are sent. Provide information on payment plans and assistance programs, if available. Explain the different available payment options and whether patients can pay over the phone, online through a payment portal, etc. Clarify which extraordinary collection actions may be used, including selling the debt or taking legal action. One of the most important processes to develop with collections is to respond to patients’ behavior. Communication should not be a one-size-fits-all approach. Patients expect personalization, and reaching out to them based on their preferred means of communication leads to optimal results. Perseverance is vital when it comes to collections. By establishing clear policies and implementing integrated technology throughout your processes, you can improve the patient experience by eliminating confusion while streamlining workflow to reduce the administrative burden on billing and administrative staff. Although implementing these steps can help your practice lower your accounts receivables, sometimes choosing to outsource to a medical billing company can help you save time, money, and resources. Medical billing companies can provide medical practices with specialized expertise, technology, and infrastructure to efficiently manage the revenue cycle and ensure timely payments. Outsourcing medical billing can also free up staff time and resources, allowing healthcare providers to focus on patient care and other essential aspects of running their practice. Whether you choose to outsource or to keep your medical billing in-house, these tips will help you to reduce your costs and increase your revenue.

Read More
HEALTHTECH SECURITY, HEALTHCARE ANALYTICS

The Top Wellness Programs Most Employees Prefer: Weight Management, Smoking Cessation, and Mental Health

Article | April 3, 2023

Electronic medical records (EMR) conferences are vital for professionals who wish to stay updated on latest healthcare innovations. Join industry experts to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. Contents 1. Significance of Global EMR Events 2. Best Electronic Medical Records Conferences in Healthcare 2.1 MedInfo 2023 2.2 e-Health 2023 Conference and Tradeshow 2.3 Digital Healthcare World Congress 2023 2.4 11th International Conference on Internal Medicine & Patient Care 2.5 openEHR Conference 2.6 Oracle Health Conference 2.7 Electronic Medical Records Boot Camp 2.8 The Healthcare Innovation Congress 2.9 Digital Health Transformation Summit 2023 2.10 World Medical Innovation Forum 2.11 Bits & Pretzels Healthtech 2.12 IHI Patient Safety Congress 2.13 Intelligent Health Conference 2023 2.14 HealthTech Innovation Days 2.15 Digital Health Innovation Summit 3. Wrapping Up 1. Significance of Global EMR Events Electronic medical records (EMR) are digital versions of patients’ medical information. These can be managed, accessed, and shared by authorized healthcare providers within a single healthcare organization. Staying informed with the latest updates on EMR conferences is crucial for healthcare providers, administrators, and IT professionals responsible for implementing and maintaining these systems. Attending these conferences offers the opportunity to keep up with the latest trends and technologies, network with experts, earn continuing education credits, and enhance professional development in the rapidly-evolving healthcare landscape. 2. Best Electronic Medical Records Conferences in Healthcare Explore the EMR conference schedule and highlights for the healthcare industry, featuring the best EMR conferences for medical professionals with a focus on digital health, electronic patient records, and other notable advancements. Attend these top events to stay informed and connect with industry experts: 2.1MedInfo 2023 July 8 to 12 | Sydney MedInfo, a health informatics event with the theme ‘The Future is Accessible’, will take place at the International Convention Centre (ICC). The conference aims to explore digital healthcare beyond borders and will feature 700 keynote speakers addressing over 3,000 delegates from more than 50 countries. The event will cover a diverse range of topics, with particular emphasis on nursing and digital health. 2.2e-Health 2023 Conference and Tradeshow May 28 to 30 | Toronto e-Health, a premier event for Canadian digital health professionals, will be held at Beanfield Centre. Committed to making a difference in health and healthcare delivery, this annual conference & tradeshow has remained a vital epicenter of digital health discussion and debate since 2000, attracting a diverse line-up of in-demand speakers, expert panelists, presenters, and leading-edge exhibitors. Attendees can expect a wonderful platform to learn, connect, and engage with peers both nationally and globally, along with networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities. 2.3 Digital Healthcare World Congress 2023 May 23-24 | London Digital Health World Congress 2023, slated to take place at Kensington Conference & Event Centre, will feature discussions on various medical and mobile technologies such as e-health, m-health, telehealth, telemedicine, genomics, biotech, life sciences, healthtech, genetics, pharma, and healthcare IT. This event will be crucial for healthcare professionals looking to gain insights into the latest developments in electronic medical records. 2.4 11th International Conference on Internal Medicine & Patient Care July 20-21 | Florida The conference aims to explore the latest developments and advancements in the field of internal medicine through the theme of ‘Current Research and Advances in Internal Medicine’. It will cover topics such as dermatology, cosmeceuticals, and laser treatments, with a significant scientific session on ‘Electronic Medical Record and Disease Management’. Attendees can take advantage of opportunities to present their research, learn about career development, and gain insights into the latest tools & technologies. The conference promotes collaboration among young researchers and offers a chance to interact with peers and established leaders globally. 2.5 openEHR Conference June 6 | Barcelona openEHR aims to bring together healthcare professionals, medical informatics experts, care providers, researchers, authorities, regulators, and service providers. The event's theme 'No time to waste: building the lifelong, patient-centric EHR,' emphasizes raising awareness about the current state of semantic interoperability in healthcare. The objective is to enable different healthcare systems and applications to share and utilize patient data seamlessly and accurately, irrespective of the technology used, to create patient-centric electronic records that can be accessed and used throughout a patient's lifetime. 2.6 Oracle Health Conference September 18-20 | Las Vegas Attend the Oracle Health Conference to discover how Oracle Health is revolutionizing healthcare technology. Formerly known as the Oracle Cerner Health Conference, this event features innovative product demos, education sessions on industry challenges, and networking opportunities with like-minded peers. Gain insights into how technology can improve patient outcomes, enhance clinical efficiency, and drive innovation in healthcare organizations. 2.7 Electronic Medical Records Boot Camp August 21-22 | Virtual The upcoming Electronic Medical Records Boot Camp invites attendees to gain valuable insights into biostatistical methods for analyzing EMR data. This intensive two-day program features seminars and hands-on analytical sessions, providing attendees with an overview of electronic health data opportunities, statistical challenges, and the latest techniques related to electronic medical records. The program aims to help attendees leverage electronic medical records for better healthcare outcomes. 2.8 The Healthcare Innovation Congress June 20 – 22, 2023 | Washington, DC The Healthcare Innovation Congress (thINc360), formerly known as The World Health Congress, aims to bring together executives from a wide range of healthcare sectors. Over the course of three days, the conference will offer tailored educational experiences specifically designed for executives representing healthcare professionals, health plans, and hospitals. 2.9 Digital Health Transformation Summit 2023 May 22-24 | Chicago This event aims to highlight how innovation is driving change across the healthcare industry, leading to gains in quality, affordability, accessibility, and sustainability. The panel of Modern Healthcare's Top 25 Innovators will discuss the latest innovative projects, products, and developments in healthcare, including the use of AI to leverage the abundance of patient data from EHRs and digital tools for improved diagnoses, treatments, and disease prevention. 2.10 World Medical Innovation Forum June 12-14 | Boston World Medical Innovation Forum (WMIF) is a global event that brings together leaders in healthcare investment, technology, manufacturing, and regulation at Westin Boston Seaport District. The forum, presented by Mass General Brigham and Bank of America, aims to advance patient-benefitting technologies by exploring the promise of new patient care and addressing the challenges to their development and investment. The ultimate goal is to find solutions to medical, operational, and economic challenges to benefit patients, providers, and healthcare organizations at the earliest feasible time. 2.11 Bits & Pretzels Healthtech June 20-21 | Munich he conference will focus on technology-driven healthcare innovation and its potential to enhance patient outcomes. The conference will explore the patient journey from prevention to aftercare, with a focus on technology's role in driving innovation. Attendees will examine how new technologies such as AI, bio 2.0, and IoT ingestible can improve healthcare delivery. 2.12 IHI Patient Safety Congress May 22-24 | Maryland Organized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the event, which will take place at National Harbor, aims to bring individuals together who are passionate about ensuring safe and equitable care for patients in all settings, including hospitals, outpatient facilities, and homes. It will feature engaging speakers who will share their vision for smarter, safer care, and attendees will have access to practical workshops, which will provide real-world insights that can be implemented within their organizations. This event is a must-attend for anyone interested in shaping the future of patient safety. 2.13 Intelligent Health Conference 2023 June 14 | Pilestredet The Intelligent Health Conference 2023 is an event organized by Intelligent Health Initiative at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University to provide an update on the latest developments & research in the field of digital health. The event will bring together experts & researchers in the field to discuss the use of digital technologies such as AI and wearable devices for improved health services. The conference will focus on various technologies that are becoming an integrated part of daily life, including mobile health and applications, electronic medical records, and telehealth as well as telemedicine. 2.14 HealthTech Innovation Days October 24-25 | Paris October 27 | Virtual The fifth edition of HealthTech Innovation Days (HTID) event, organized by the non-profit organization HealthTech Care and initiated by France Biotech, aims to facilitate faster delivery of innovative products to patients by providing a platform for European life sciences stakeholders. The HTID event provides various activities to facilitate the progress of innovation, such as the chance to engage with knowledgeable professionals, participate in panel discussions led by experts from around the world, and obtain valuable insights into critical subjects. 2.15 Digital Health Innovation Summit June 6-7, 2023 | California The 23rd rebranded edition of Digital Health Innovation Summit, organized by World BI, will take place at Hyatt Regency San Francisco Embarcadero Waterfront Hotel. The event aims to provide a unique opportunity for professionals in the pharma, healthcare, and medtech industries to connect with thought leaders, explore the latest trends in digital health technologies & advancements in electronic medical records, and gain valuable insights to enhance patient care. With the participation of clinicians, scientists, entrepreneurs, biomedical engineers, patient advocates, and top technology providers, this summit will serve as a crucial gathering for professionals driving innovation in healthcare. 3. Wrapping Up Participating in electronic medical records conferences can facilitate professional development, accrue continuing education credits, and help individuals stay abreast of the rapidly-evolving healthcare landscape. EMR conferences frequently offer focused conference tracks or sessions dedicated to various EMR-related topics such as implementation, data analytics, interoperability, privacy and security, and patient engagement. Participating in these specialized tracks can provide attendees with a more targeted and comprehensive learning experience, and can contribute significantly to improving the quality of healthcare delivery, enhancing patient outcomes, and driving innovation in the healthcare industry.

Read More
DIGITAL HEALTHCARE

Ways to Drive Practice Revenue and Reduce Your Accounts Receivable

Article | March 29, 2023

Contents 1. Getting Started with LIMS Software 2. Benefits of Incorporating LIMS Software into Lab Management 3. LIMS Software Classification 4. Selecting the Right LIMS Software: A Comparison of Variants 5. How LIMS Software Revolutionized Laboratory Management 6. Future Scope 1. Getting Started with LIMS Software Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) software automates laboratory operations, improves productivity, and ensures the accuracy as well as reliability of laboratory data. It can be implemented in clinical laboratories, research & development labs, and environmental testing labs and tailored to meet specific needs. LIMS software seamlessly integrates with other laboratory systems, such as electronic lab notebooks and scientific data management systems. LIMS class software enables storing and managing all information in one place, improving day-to-day work. Yet, research reveals that still 40% of industry leaders 'had not embarked on applying digital to research and development or quality control labs'. (Source: Accenture) 2. Benefits of Incorporating LIMS Software into Lab Management By implementing LIMS software, laboratories can significantly reduce time spent locating samples and records, entering data, and generating reports. LIMS software also offers additional advantages when integrated into laboratory management, such as 1. Optimizing: LIMS automates laboratory processes, allowing for a paperless environment and increased productivity. It also ensures accurate test results by preventing the use of outdated instruments. 2. Automating: LIMS facilitates the input of essential sample information, including its source, date, time, and location of the collection as well as processing data. 3. Compliant: LIMS helps labs follow FDA regulations by creating an audit trail that tracks all activities, including record creation, modification, and deletion. It also enables electronic signatures to authenticate key activities and keep data secure and traceable. 4. Collaborative: LIMS streamlines inter-laboratory collaboration through the option to share data access. This allows lab technicians from disparate laboratories to be seamlessly assigned to different projects and obtain the required information without disruption. 5. Security: LIMS systems offer various mechanisms for managing user access, such as an in-built user management system with a unique username and password, integration with LDAP or Active Directory for user authentication, and access through an Identity Server. 3. LIMS Software Classification Laboratory Information Management System software can be classified based on several criteria, including functionality, deployment model, industry focus, and the laboratory's needs. Here is a list of critical features that can be considered while classifying LIMS software: 1. Functionality: Different LIMS software may have varying functionality, including sample tracking, data management, instrument integration, quality control, workflow management, and reporting. 2. Deployment Model: LIMS software can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud. On-premises deployment means that the software is installed and run on the laboratory's own servers, while cloud-based deployment means that the software is hosted and maintained by a third-party provider. 3. Industry Focus: LIMS software can be designed for specific industries or applications, such as pharmaceutical research, clinical laboratories, food and beverage testing, environmental testing, and more. 4. Open-Source vs. Proprietary: LIMS software can also be classified as either open-source or proprietary. Open-source software is freely available and can be modified by users, while a company owns proprietary software and requires a license to use it. 5. Scalability: The size of the laboratory and the number of users accessing the LIMS software can also be a factor in classification. Some LIMS software may be more scalable, allowing for easy expansion as the laboratory grows. 6. Integration Capabilities: LIMS software can also be classified based on its ability to integrate with other software or instruments. Some LIMS software may be more flexible and have better integration capabilities than others, allowing for seamless data exchange between different systems. 4. Selecting the Right LIMS Software: A Comparison of Variants While selecting the most appropriate LIMS variant, the wide range of available options can pose a challenge for laboratory decision-makers. To aid in this selection process, a comprehensive comparative analysis of LIMS variants is presented below: 1. Lab managers can adopt an objective approach for evaluating and comparing different LIMS solutions by creating a grading rubric. This involves designing a table with separate columns for each LIMS vendor and rows listing the desired features as well as functionalities. To provide a more comprehensive evaluation, advanced rubrics may include rating each functionality on a particular LIMS using a scale of 1 to 5. 2. Next, it is crucial to review how LIMS solutions are structured and stored. This includes determining whether the solution is on-premise or cloud-based, either as a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) or software-as-a-service (SaaS). For optimal flexibility in the laboratory's computing structure, choosing a vendor that offers LIMS as a comprehensive solution is advantageous. 3. Data access must be controlled by using unique user IDs and passwords. Furthermore, data security standards such as HIPAA compliance and SSL encryption will likely be mandatory across many laboratory industries. It is thus imperative to carefully consider and ensure the security features of any potential LIMS solution. 4. To assess the level of support that can be expected with a particular LIMS, one effective method is to directly inquire with the software vendor about outages, response time, and plans of action to address any glitches preemptively. Managing expectations around the LIMS requires asking about the frequency of LIMS updates, including how often the platform is updated, how updates are announced and deployed, and the expected duration of any update-related outages. 5. While selecting a LIMS solution, laboratories must establish a target go-live date, especially when implementing the system in response to, or preparation for, an audit. Software vendors should provide a deployment and implementation timeline, which can be used to compare with the laboratory's objectives and goals. This helps to ensure that the LIMS solution is implemented in a timely and efficient manner. 5. How LIMS Software Revolutionized Laboratory Management LIMS software has fundamentally revolutionized the laboratory management system in several ways. Before the advent of LIMS, laboratory operations were often paper-based and highly manual, leading to inefficiencies, errors, and inconsistencies. However, with the implementation of LIMS, laboratories have become more efficient, accurate, and compliant. LIMS has also improved laboratory productivity, allowing scientists to focus on higher-value tasks like data analysis and interpretation. It has enabled collaboration between different laboratories, facilitating communication and knowledge sharing between scientists, researchers, and analysts, and is also leading to more significant innovation and progress in the field of science and research. 6. Future Scope The future scope of Laboratory Information Management System software is promising as it continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of laboratory management. Potential developments include integrating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics, cloud-based solutions for scalability and accessibility, IoT integration for automation and safety, enhanced data analytics for improved decision-making, and mobile applications for on-the-go access. Moreover, with SaaS LIMS, there are no license costs, minimal installation fees, and no need for in-house servers or databanks, resulting in reduced IT maintenance costs for hardware and software.

Read More
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY, MEDICAL DEVICES

Maximizing Efficiency in Hospital Management Systems with EMRs

Article | May 22, 2023

It’s no secret that the working world has changed these past few years, but employees have also undergone a lot of personal transformation due to these shifts. Struggles with health, home life, or personal issues can make it hard for them to work. Burnout is increasing worldwide, with 40% of desk-job workers feeling mentally distanced from work, depleted of energy, and increased negativity. Younger workers are already becoming drained by work life, which could spell trouble for future generations of employees. Despite these challenges, the workplace is the best place to help staff improve their wellness, especially since they spend most of their time working or in the office. Wellness programs can be implemented to help employees feel rejuvenated and respected, which will boost their performance at work. Here are some examples of programs your workers might enjoy Weight Management Programs The idea of a weight management program at work may seem like something employees could be offended by, but it can help workers build healthy habits and assess their lifestyle to help them achieve better health. Employees can learn to manage their diet better, leading to weight loss and a lowered risk of certain health conditions. These programs can also identify the need for medical weight loss strategies. For employees struggling with pre-obesity—a complex disease influenced by several factors often out of an individual’s control—personalized lifestyle changes and FDA-approved medications can be recommended. With chronic weight issues, doctors can prescribe medications that can help produce an average of 15% weight loss, especially when individual biology makes doing so harder. Employees can look for the help they need for wellness and weight loss, which can help them feel cared for by the company. When workers are at their peak physically, they can enjoy a healthier lifestyle and will be more efficient at work. Quit Smoking Programs Smoking is usually a means for employees to reduce stress, but it can greatly impact their personal and professional lives. Smokers tend to be more absent or disengaged at work than non-smokers. Presenteeism at work is also associated with heavy smoking. Employees coming to work despite health issues can lead to subpar performances. This can cost workplaces a lot of money in lost productivity, and workers will also suffer from health consequences. Smoking cessation programs can help employees reduce their tobacco consumption and quit smoking for better health and productivity. These programs can include counseling, suggesting smoking cessation products or nicotine replacement therapy, or other initiatives tailored to individuals. Your staff may need more motivation when trying to quit, so having more support and a community to confide in can help. Mental Health Programs Mental health in the workplace was largely ignored for many years, as many saw it as a personal issue. However, work can contribute significantly to employees’ mental health problems or exacerbate mental illnesses like anxiety and depression. Improving these conditions is vital to improving many aspects of life for employees. Workers will better enjoy work and perform well when they know they’re being supported. Mental health is also paramount to sustainable development and plays a significant role in transforming the world as a whole. Treating and monitoring mental wellness should be prioritized at work and beyond. Though companies may not have the means to properly diagnose or treat workers’ mental illnesses, mental health programs can help give employees and managers the education and resources to help improve mental wellness. Education and training on mental health can aid people in spotting issues and having them addressed or equip people with the ability to provide proper support or encouragement. These programs can also help the business take the initiative and offer other resources to improve mental health. That can be through mental health sick leaves, adding napping or gaming areas to the office, or offering mental health apps or counseling in benefits packages. When your staff is appreciated and taken care of, it’ll improve their overall well-being and life at work and home.

Read More
DIGITAL HEALTHCARE

Ways to Drive Practice Revenue and Reduce Your Accounts Receivable

Article | March 29, 2023

Managing accounts receivable (A/R) in private practice is a constant battle for physicians. Though most understand that lowering their A/R is critical for improving their practices’ efficiency and profitability, physicians often do not know how to address issues like lengthy collection periods and insurance claim denials. It can be complex to manage A/R, as doing so involves various parties, including insurance carriers, the patient, the front office and billing staff, and the provider. All must work together to achieve a clean claims rate and avoid denials. The best way to improve medical billing A/R is to reduce claim denials and speed up the patient collections process. In addition, you’ll need to ensure that patients and staff are filling out paperwork correctly and submitting claims on time. Other areas to manage are the follow-ups to correct errors and past-due accounts. Accounts receivable is a collaborative effort Each member of the practice staff plays an integral role in reducing claims denial rates. Take an all-hands-on-deck approach in order to identify issues and develop solutions. Start by making every team member privy to the A/R management process. This will ensure everyone is on the same page and involved. It will also help to increase efficiency, avoid redundancies, and eliminate mistakes that could waste time or profitability. The front office staff is the front line of A/R. They are the first to verify and update patients’ insurance and personal details like address and contact information. They must also ensure that patients sign certain documents, like financial policies. Providers are the next line of A/R. Providers select current procedural terminology (CPT) codes, and must be mindful of tedious details such as bundling correctly in order to ensure that claims are approved. A conscientious provider should not only select appropriate billing codes but also double-check the patient information that the front office staff provide. The billing office is a final line of defense and should triple check that the patient’s information and the CPT codes are correct. Billing office staff are also responsible for ensuring the claims are submitted on time and that duplicates are not submitted. Establish financial policies Every practice needs clearly defined financial policies around patients or clients. Having these policies in place helps to clarify financial details and creates workflows and processes for staff to follow. Here are a few elements to consider: State whether the practice will accept personal checks and, if so, what charges or actions are in place for bounced checks. Consider implementing technologies that convert paper checks to electronic transactions and verify them before patients leave the office. Include a financial responsibilities section with information about who is responsible for the claim(s) if a patient’s insurance carrier partially or fully denies their claim. Define the debt collection process. Patients should quickly know how long they have to pay their bills and at what point you may sell their debt to a third-party debt collectors agency. Medical records can be copious, and practices often need to make physical copies of them. Consider implementing a policy that covers a pay-per-page cost associated with medical records. Automate patient statements and payments Offer different payment options for patients by implementing technologies and creative solutions that make it easier for them to pay their bills. Look for solutions that reduce manual work and provide reporting that tracks efficacy across delivery modes. Here are a few approaches to consider: Automate sending statements via text message or email to help improve the rate of online payments. Add QR codes to online and paper statements to help patients quickly access payment portals. Offer payment plans, especially with low to no interest, to make it easier for patients to pay down balances. Establish a written collections process Not collecting patient payments at the time of service is the biggest challenge to patient collections. Establishing a written collections process can help to alleviate that pain point and clarify the practice’s policies and procedures so that patients can understand them more clearly and easily. Here are some guidelines to follow when creating your policies: Include when, how, and how often bills are sent. Provide information on payment plans and assistance programs, if available. Explain the different available payment options and whether patients can pay over the phone, online through a payment portal, etc. Clarify which extraordinary collection actions may be used, including selling the debt or taking legal action. One of the most important processes to develop with collections is to respond to patients’ behavior. Communication should not be a one-size-fits-all approach. Patients expect personalization, and reaching out to them based on their preferred means of communication leads to optimal results. Perseverance is vital when it comes to collections. By establishing clear policies and implementing integrated technology throughout your processes, you can improve the patient experience by eliminating confusion while streamlining workflow to reduce the administrative burden on billing and administrative staff. Although implementing these steps can help your practice lower your accounts receivables, sometimes choosing to outsource to a medical billing company can help you save time, money, and resources. Medical billing companies can provide medical practices with specialized expertise, technology, and infrastructure to efficiently manage the revenue cycle and ensure timely payments. Outsourcing medical billing can also free up staff time and resources, allowing healthcare providers to focus on patient care and other essential aspects of running their practice. Whether you choose to outsource or to keep your medical billing in-house, these tips will help you to reduce your costs and increase your revenue.

Read More
MORE ARTICLES

Spotlight

Robotics Care AB

Robotics Care AB was founded in 2013 by innovator Thomas Ryberg with the aim of developing and commercializing Poseidon. In a short period of time, Robotics Care AB has built up important collaborations in relevant sectors, and strengthened the position as an innovation company focusing on quality assurance solutions.

Related News

DIGITAL HEALTHCARE

Cognizant Collaborates with Microsoft to Offer New Virtual Healthcare Solution for Remote Patient Monitoring and Improved Care

Cognizant | March 02, 2022

Cognizant today announced it is collaboratingwith Microsoft to delivera new digital health solution to enhance remote patient monitoring for improved medical care. Cognizant's new solution, leveraging components of the Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, is the first of several planned offerings that combine remote patient monitoring and virtual health, utilizing products like smart watches, blood pressure monitors, and glucose meters to collect and communicate patient health data to providers. Built-in analytics allow providers to cross-reference historical health information to gain patient insights and potentially identify early warning signs of chronic conditions so preventative measures can be taken. Additionally, the solution's remote capabilities enable telehealth visits, which continue to be a valuable option to mitigate barriers of care for patients with accessibility constraints, as well as implement time-sensitive interventions and improve personalized care. With chronic diseases expected to account for 70% of global deaths by 2030, advancements in digital integration are quickly becoming recognized as an optimal approach to preventing, managing, and treating disease.* As an early Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare partner, Cognizant has designed a solution that leverages Microsoft Azure services including FHIR, API Services, and Teams integration to improve scalability and reliability. This digital healthcare endeavor is backed by Cognizant's dedicated Microsoft Business Group, bringing together Cognizant's digital modernization expertise with Microsoft's focus on building Industry Clouds to deliver a commercially available, comprehensive, healthcare solution. This new offering is the first in a series of digital healthcare solutions from Cognizant as the company accelerates its client offerings aimed at implementing advanced healthcare technology to increase patient engagement, enhance personalized care, provide remote patient monitoring, and facilitate improved patient outcomes. Future offerings will build upon existing solution capabilities to help clients expedite implementation. "The bridging of technology and healthcare is creating new opportunities to improve how providers monitor the health of their patients and engage with them for time-sensitive interventions. Utilizing data analytics, secure cloud technology and interoperability products, our collaboration with Microsoft offers a unique, scalable solution that aims to connect providers and patients, and enhances the quality, timeliness, and personalization of healthcare." Surya Gummadi, Head of Cognizant Healthcare "Cognizant's new virtual healthcare solution utilizes differentiated capabilities, built on the secure and compliant Microsoft Cloud, that make it easy for people to collect and share health data using their own devices, while ensuring that providers have the data and insights they need to diagnose and treat patients," saidTom McGuinness, Corporate Vice President, Global Healthcare and Life Sciences, Microsoft. "We look forward to combining our technologies and collective expertise to deliver additional solutions that offer high quality healthcare and enable patient well-being." About Cognizant Cognizantengineers modern businesses. We help our clients modernize technology, reimagine processes and transform experiences so they can stay ahead in our fast-changing world. Together, we're improving everyday life.

Read More

HEALTH TECHNOLOGY

MyndVR and Omega Healthcare Announce a Strategic Alliance to Deliver Virtual Reality Therapeutics in Senior Care

MyndVR | March 01, 2022

MyndVR, the leading provider of Virtual Reality ("VR") solutions for senior care today announced a strategic partnership withOmega Healthcare Investors. As one of the largest REITs in senior care, Omega is committed to bringing technology and innovation to its expanding base of operators across the continuum of care in the US and UK. Omega will make MyndVR's industry-leading portfolio of senior-friendly, therapeutic VR experiences available to nearly 1000 senior living and skilled nursing facilities. This 3-year partnership will offer Omega's valued operators access to MyndVR's vast network of immersive content, state-of-the-art VR headsets, and proprietary care tablets, as the exclusive VR partner of Omega with pricing promotions to all Omega operators. The MyndVR platform includes a bundled subscription plan with monthly content updates across a wide variety of reminiscence, music, art, nature-immersion, meditation, and cognitive programs to help seniors achieve their skilled therapeutic goals. Taylor Pickett, Omega's Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are excited to partner with MyndVR and align our concurrent missions of improving the lives of older adults.We look forward to helping senior care centers deploy this highly engaging and outcome-focused technology." At a time when the entire senior living industry is looking for easy-to-administer, time-saving activities that enrich the daily lives of seniors, virtual reality has become a very affordable and highly researched therapeutic tool. "We are deeply committed to providing VR-based therapeutic solutions that involve interactive content, sensory technology, and measurable outcomes. We are thrilled to partner with Omega to expand our reach and scale in improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of seniors." Chris Brickler, CEO and co-founder of MyndVR MyndVR serves several hundred senior communities across 45 states,CanadaandAustralia. Sodalis Senior Living has successfully rolled out MyndVR in 26 communities acrossTexasandFlorida. "At Sodalis, we have seen an immediate improvement in resident socialization after using MyndVR, as well as an increase in activity engagement with staff," saidTraci Taylor-Roberts, President at Sodalis Senior Living. "It's exciting because VR represents a game-changing approach to delivering activities and therapies for our residents." About Omega Healthcare Investors Omega Healthcare Investors is a real estate investment trust that invests in the long-term healthcare industry, primarily in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Its portfolio of assets is operated by a diverse group of healthcare companies, predominantly in a triple-net lease structure. The assets span all regions withinthe United States, as well as in theUnited Kingdom. About MyndVR MyndVR is the leading provider of Virtual Reality solutions for senior living communities, home health care agencies, Veteran homes, and individual adults aging in their own homes. The company has built a vast network of original and licensed therapeutic VR content. Their technology enables older adults to interact with the outside world in genuinely innovative ways that promote engagement, wellness, and above all, positive outcomes. MyndVR is committed to continued research and development to measure outcomes, including cognitive, visual, emotional, and physical effects on older adults.

Read More

DIGITAL HEALTHCARE

Brazilian Heath Tech Company Alice Partners With TytoCare to Expand Telehealth Offerings With At-Home Medical Examinations

TytoCare | February 23, 2022

TytoCare, the global health care industry's first all-in-one modular device and examination platform for AI-powered, on-demand, remote medical exams, and Alice,Brazil'sfirst primary care-driven health insurance plan, have announced today a partnership. Alice is the first company inBrazilto integrate with TytoCare, offering its members an easy-to-use, portable examination kit to conduct virtual physical examinations anywhere, anytime, putting healthcare in the hands of consumers. TytoCare will be distributed exclusively inBrazilby Tuinda Care. Alice, which inDecember 2021received the largest venture capital round ever reported inLatin Americaby a health tech company, began operations inJune 2020as an innovative tech-enabled health plan, built on the foundation of virtual-first, team-based primary care. Besides providing each of its members a 'Health Squad' ("Time de Saúde") – composed of a family doctor, a nurse, a nutritionist, and a physical trainer – the company also serves as a private health insurance provider with access to top-of-the-line hospitals, labs, and a network of medical specialists. Most hospitals in the network are contracted under a value-based healthcare (VBHC) payment model. With the TytoCare partnership, Alice will enable seamless digital diagnostics for its members, while enabling physicians to offer clinic-quality virtual care. TytoCare is the only all-in-one telehealth solution enabling physicians to remotely connect with patients for clinic-quality physical examinations. The handheld examination kit enables users to perform comprehensive exams of the heart, skin, ears, throat, abdomen, and lungs, as well as measure heartrate and body temperature, which are key for treating many acute and chronic conditions. This allows healthcare providers to gain the vital clinical data they require to monitor, diagnose, and treat patients and avoid unnecessary in-person visits. All the data is stored in Alice's app and becomes available to all health professionals who care for the member, allowing for seamless care coordination. "This data integration – the first of its kind inBrazil– enables the member's Health Squad to easily follow up on any chronic or acute condition, providing patients with long-term care while ensuring accuracy, speed, and convenience in both diagnoses and treatment plans. TytoCare also reduces costs and the need for travel to and from hospitals and clinics. In addition, it enables the health professional to share vital information with other physicians and specialists for a second opinion." André Florence, CEO of Alice TytoCare is easy to use and requires only an internet signal for members to conduct synchronous virtual consultations with their physician who can guide them through the exams and see the results in Alice's app. The physician can then better direct the member to the appropriate care pathway, either by referring them to an emergency room or by writing a digital prescription, when necessary. Currently, 15% of digital queries use TytoCare's support and with the integration, this number is expected to grow even further. With TytoCare, Alice can offer better assistance to a member who has, for example, an earache in the middle of the night and opts to use 'Alice Now' ("Alice Agora") – an in-app, text-based virtual primary care service that supports audio and video and is available 24/7 for members who need immediate medical assistance. Within one hour, the member will receive the TytoCare device at home and the physician will guide them through a physical exam to see in real-time what is happening in the ear canal. The TytoCare examination kit can be used to support the care of children and adults as well as for patients with more complex illnesses who need frequent monitoring. "Members with medical complexities use health services more frequently and can benefit from remote monitoring, reducing the frequency of in-person visits," saidAna Carolina Lucchese, Tuinda Care director. "Easier access to medical services can also prevent further complications and hospitalization." About TytoCare TytoCare is a telehealth company using AI to transform primary care by putting health in the hands of consumers. TytoCare seamlessly connects people to clinicians to provide the best virtual home examination and diagnosis solutions.Its solutions are designed to enable a comprehensive medical exam from any location and include a hand-held, all-in-one tool for examining the heart, lungs, skin, ears, throat, abdomen, and body temperature; a complete telehealth platform for sharing exam data, conducting live video exams, and scheduling visits; a cloud-based data repository with analytics; and built-in guidance technology and machine learning algorithms to ensure accuracy and ease of use for patients and insights for healthcare providers. Co-founded byDedi GiladandOfer Tzadikin 2012, TytoCare has FDA and CE clearances and has partnered with over 170 major health systems, health plans, and strategic partners in the U.S.,Europe,Asia,Latin America, andIsrael. About Alice Alice is currently considered the most promising health tech inLatin America. AsBrazil'sfirst primary care-driven health insurance plan, its mission is to make the world healthier. Launched inJune 2020, it already has nearly 7,000 members, more than 550 employees and has raised VC rounds at historically high levels for a health tech in the region. Founded by André Florence,Guilherme AzevedoandMatheus Moraes, the health tech has raised$174.8Mfrom the funds Allen & Company LLC, Canary, Endeavor Catalyst, Globo Ventures, G Squared, Kaszek, Maya Capital, StepStone Group, SoftBank Latin America Fund (SBLA) and ThornTree Capital Partners. About Tuinda Care Tuinda Care is a Healthtech startup focused on expanding access to high quality medical care inBrazilthrough telemedicine. It's the exclusive distributor of TytoCare technology inBrazil, with the purpose to connect clinicians and patients remotely, assuring medical excellence in every online visit. Tuinda Care is accelerated by Pequeno Príncipe Hospital and Sabará Pediatric Hospital, the two most prestigious pediatric hospitals inBrazil.

Read More

DIGITAL HEALTHCARE

Cognizant Collaborates with Microsoft to Offer New Virtual Healthcare Solution for Remote Patient Monitoring and Improved Care

Cognizant | March 02, 2022

Cognizant today announced it is collaboratingwith Microsoft to delivera new digital health solution to enhance remote patient monitoring for improved medical care. Cognizant's new solution, leveraging components of the Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare, is the first of several planned offerings that combine remote patient monitoring and virtual health, utilizing products like smart watches, blood pressure monitors, and glucose meters to collect and communicate patient health data to providers. Built-in analytics allow providers to cross-reference historical health information to gain patient insights and potentially identify early warning signs of chronic conditions so preventative measures can be taken. Additionally, the solution's remote capabilities enable telehealth visits, which continue to be a valuable option to mitigate barriers of care for patients with accessibility constraints, as well as implement time-sensitive interventions and improve personalized care. With chronic diseases expected to account for 70% of global deaths by 2030, advancements in digital integration are quickly becoming recognized as an optimal approach to preventing, managing, and treating disease.* As an early Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare partner, Cognizant has designed a solution that leverages Microsoft Azure services including FHIR, API Services, and Teams integration to improve scalability and reliability. This digital healthcare endeavor is backed by Cognizant's dedicated Microsoft Business Group, bringing together Cognizant's digital modernization expertise with Microsoft's focus on building Industry Clouds to deliver a commercially available, comprehensive, healthcare solution. This new offering is the first in a series of digital healthcare solutions from Cognizant as the company accelerates its client offerings aimed at implementing advanced healthcare technology to increase patient engagement, enhance personalized care, provide remote patient monitoring, and facilitate improved patient outcomes. Future offerings will build upon existing solution capabilities to help clients expedite implementation. "The bridging of technology and healthcare is creating new opportunities to improve how providers monitor the health of their patients and engage with them for time-sensitive interventions. Utilizing data analytics, secure cloud technology and interoperability products, our collaboration with Microsoft offers a unique, scalable solution that aims to connect providers and patients, and enhances the quality, timeliness, and personalization of healthcare." Surya Gummadi, Head of Cognizant Healthcare "Cognizant's new virtual healthcare solution utilizes differentiated capabilities, built on the secure and compliant Microsoft Cloud, that make it easy for people to collect and share health data using their own devices, while ensuring that providers have the data and insights they need to diagnose and treat patients," saidTom McGuinness, Corporate Vice President, Global Healthcare and Life Sciences, Microsoft. "We look forward to combining our technologies and collective expertise to deliver additional solutions that offer high quality healthcare and enable patient well-being." About Cognizant Cognizantengineers modern businesses. We help our clients modernize technology, reimagine processes and transform experiences so they can stay ahead in our fast-changing world. Together, we're improving everyday life.

Read More

HEALTH TECHNOLOGY

MyndVR and Omega Healthcare Announce a Strategic Alliance to Deliver Virtual Reality Therapeutics in Senior Care

MyndVR | March 01, 2022

MyndVR, the leading provider of Virtual Reality ("VR") solutions for senior care today announced a strategic partnership withOmega Healthcare Investors. As one of the largest REITs in senior care, Omega is committed to bringing technology and innovation to its expanding base of operators across the continuum of care in the US and UK. Omega will make MyndVR's industry-leading portfolio of senior-friendly, therapeutic VR experiences available to nearly 1000 senior living and skilled nursing facilities. This 3-year partnership will offer Omega's valued operators access to MyndVR's vast network of immersive content, state-of-the-art VR headsets, and proprietary care tablets, as the exclusive VR partner of Omega with pricing promotions to all Omega operators. The MyndVR platform includes a bundled subscription plan with monthly content updates across a wide variety of reminiscence, music, art, nature-immersion, meditation, and cognitive programs to help seniors achieve their skilled therapeutic goals. Taylor Pickett, Omega's Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are excited to partner with MyndVR and align our concurrent missions of improving the lives of older adults.We look forward to helping senior care centers deploy this highly engaging and outcome-focused technology." At a time when the entire senior living industry is looking for easy-to-administer, time-saving activities that enrich the daily lives of seniors, virtual reality has become a very affordable and highly researched therapeutic tool. "We are deeply committed to providing VR-based therapeutic solutions that involve interactive content, sensory technology, and measurable outcomes. We are thrilled to partner with Omega to expand our reach and scale in improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of seniors." Chris Brickler, CEO and co-founder of MyndVR MyndVR serves several hundred senior communities across 45 states,CanadaandAustralia. Sodalis Senior Living has successfully rolled out MyndVR in 26 communities acrossTexasandFlorida. "At Sodalis, we have seen an immediate improvement in resident socialization after using MyndVR, as well as an increase in activity engagement with staff," saidTraci Taylor-Roberts, President at Sodalis Senior Living. "It's exciting because VR represents a game-changing approach to delivering activities and therapies for our residents." About Omega Healthcare Investors Omega Healthcare Investors is a real estate investment trust that invests in the long-term healthcare industry, primarily in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Its portfolio of assets is operated by a diverse group of healthcare companies, predominantly in a triple-net lease structure. The assets span all regions withinthe United States, as well as in theUnited Kingdom. About MyndVR MyndVR is the leading provider of Virtual Reality solutions for senior living communities, home health care agencies, Veteran homes, and individual adults aging in their own homes. The company has built a vast network of original and licensed therapeutic VR content. Their technology enables older adults to interact with the outside world in genuinely innovative ways that promote engagement, wellness, and above all, positive outcomes. MyndVR is committed to continued research and development to measure outcomes, including cognitive, visual, emotional, and physical effects on older adults.

Read More

DIGITAL HEALTHCARE

Brazilian Heath Tech Company Alice Partners With TytoCare to Expand Telehealth Offerings With At-Home Medical Examinations

TytoCare | February 23, 2022

TytoCare, the global health care industry's first all-in-one modular device and examination platform for AI-powered, on-demand, remote medical exams, and Alice,Brazil'sfirst primary care-driven health insurance plan, have announced today a partnership. Alice is the first company inBrazilto integrate with TytoCare, offering its members an easy-to-use, portable examination kit to conduct virtual physical examinations anywhere, anytime, putting healthcare in the hands of consumers. TytoCare will be distributed exclusively inBrazilby Tuinda Care. Alice, which inDecember 2021received the largest venture capital round ever reported inLatin Americaby a health tech company, began operations inJune 2020as an innovative tech-enabled health plan, built on the foundation of virtual-first, team-based primary care. Besides providing each of its members a 'Health Squad' ("Time de Saúde") – composed of a family doctor, a nurse, a nutritionist, and a physical trainer – the company also serves as a private health insurance provider with access to top-of-the-line hospitals, labs, and a network of medical specialists. Most hospitals in the network are contracted under a value-based healthcare (VBHC) payment model. With the TytoCare partnership, Alice will enable seamless digital diagnostics for its members, while enabling physicians to offer clinic-quality virtual care. TytoCare is the only all-in-one telehealth solution enabling physicians to remotely connect with patients for clinic-quality physical examinations. The handheld examination kit enables users to perform comprehensive exams of the heart, skin, ears, throat, abdomen, and lungs, as well as measure heartrate and body temperature, which are key for treating many acute and chronic conditions. This allows healthcare providers to gain the vital clinical data they require to monitor, diagnose, and treat patients and avoid unnecessary in-person visits. All the data is stored in Alice's app and becomes available to all health professionals who care for the member, allowing for seamless care coordination. "This data integration – the first of its kind inBrazil– enables the member's Health Squad to easily follow up on any chronic or acute condition, providing patients with long-term care while ensuring accuracy, speed, and convenience in both diagnoses and treatment plans. TytoCare also reduces costs and the need for travel to and from hospitals and clinics. In addition, it enables the health professional to share vital information with other physicians and specialists for a second opinion." André Florence, CEO of Alice TytoCare is easy to use and requires only an internet signal for members to conduct synchronous virtual consultations with their physician who can guide them through the exams and see the results in Alice's app. The physician can then better direct the member to the appropriate care pathway, either by referring them to an emergency room or by writing a digital prescription, when necessary. Currently, 15% of digital queries use TytoCare's support and with the integration, this number is expected to grow even further. With TytoCare, Alice can offer better assistance to a member who has, for example, an earache in the middle of the night and opts to use 'Alice Now' ("Alice Agora") – an in-app, text-based virtual primary care service that supports audio and video and is available 24/7 for members who need immediate medical assistance. Within one hour, the member will receive the TytoCare device at home and the physician will guide them through a physical exam to see in real-time what is happening in the ear canal. The TytoCare examination kit can be used to support the care of children and adults as well as for patients with more complex illnesses who need frequent monitoring. "Members with medical complexities use health services more frequently and can benefit from remote monitoring, reducing the frequency of in-person visits," saidAna Carolina Lucchese, Tuinda Care director. "Easier access to medical services can also prevent further complications and hospitalization." About TytoCare TytoCare is a telehealth company using AI to transform primary care by putting health in the hands of consumers. TytoCare seamlessly connects people to clinicians to provide the best virtual home examination and diagnosis solutions.Its solutions are designed to enable a comprehensive medical exam from any location and include a hand-held, all-in-one tool for examining the heart, lungs, skin, ears, throat, abdomen, and body temperature; a complete telehealth platform for sharing exam data, conducting live video exams, and scheduling visits; a cloud-based data repository with analytics; and built-in guidance technology and machine learning algorithms to ensure accuracy and ease of use for patients and insights for healthcare providers. Co-founded byDedi GiladandOfer Tzadikin 2012, TytoCare has FDA and CE clearances and has partnered with over 170 major health systems, health plans, and strategic partners in the U.S.,Europe,Asia,Latin America, andIsrael. About Alice Alice is currently considered the most promising health tech inLatin America. AsBrazil'sfirst primary care-driven health insurance plan, its mission is to make the world healthier. Launched inJune 2020, it already has nearly 7,000 members, more than 550 employees and has raised VC rounds at historically high levels for a health tech in the region. Founded by André Florence,Guilherme AzevedoandMatheus Moraes, the health tech has raised$174.8Mfrom the funds Allen & Company LLC, Canary, Endeavor Catalyst, Globo Ventures, G Squared, Kaszek, Maya Capital, StepStone Group, SoftBank Latin America Fund (SBLA) and ThornTree Capital Partners. About Tuinda Care Tuinda Care is a Healthtech startup focused on expanding access to high quality medical care inBrazilthrough telemedicine. It's the exclusive distributor of TytoCare technology inBrazil, with the purpose to connect clinicians and patients remotely, assuring medical excellence in every online visit. Tuinda Care is accelerated by Pequeno Príncipe Hospital and Sabará Pediatric Hospital, the two most prestigious pediatric hospitals inBrazil.

Read More

Events