MDapproach™ Solution 5: Information System Assessment
Definition: Technology and automation can help offset rising clinical expenses and improve operating income. An optimized revenue cycle requires a combination of best-practice processes enabled by a highly optimized technology solution. Our assessment is designed to determine how well our client’s technology is fulfilling that role.
Objective: To use a combination of process and technology to improve workflows, reduce manual intervention, reduce or eliminate rework, increase efficiencies and create more relevant, reliable, and timely decision-support information.
Timeline: Three to five days
Sample Work Performed:
Computer Operations |
Evaluate management and support staff utilizing the MDapproach assessment methods
Evaluate efficiency of data processing tasks
Identify areas of expertise and deficiencies
Assess staffing levels |
Operating Systems |
Assess back- up plan, background processes running during normal working hours, log file clean-up procedure, DR procedures, sizing of storage space relative to utilization history, and number of Cache’ licenses relative to concurrent users. |
Hardware |
Assess the servers providing mission critical data, interfaces across primary systems and efficiency opportunities across systems, and processor utilization to support operational growth. |
Applications |
Identify, validate and document major customizations, dictionary setup, and decision support systems. |
Deliverables: Findings, strategic alternatives and recommendations for performance improvements.
Sample Client Outcome: Hayes conducted a review of the IT department of a Centralized Billing Office (CBO) that performed business office functions for a multi-specialty medical practice group. Our assessment uncovered the following issues:
- Instead of utilizing reporting functionality, manipulated data via Access, which created data integrity issues
- Lack of trained staff
- Need a strategic plan for disaster recovery and for future capital expenditures
- Portions of IT department outsourced to client, thus creating communication and lines of authority issues
- Not utilizing technology tools to potential
As a result of our assessment, the client embarked on a long-term strategic plan, began utilizing the reporting functionality, and developed an organizational chart to illustrate reporting relationships.
Revenue Cycle Solutions:
Overall Revenue Cycle Improvement
Patient Access Improvement
Clinical Workflow Optimization
Denials Reduction
Information Systems Assessment
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