Practice management software (PMS) programs have been designed to enhance and simplify the everyday running of a medical clinic, and they do just that. To be able to make the most out of using this type of program, there are some features you should ensure your practice management program software has.
Why consider practice management software for your clinic?
It’s no secret that running a successful clinic can be challenging. Practice management software can make life easier by taking over key aspects of the business. Rather than dedicating hours on end each day to necessary clinic tasks, PMS can automate many of them. This can save you time, and money, reduce errors and boost productivity.
There are many different practice management software programs on the market, but they aren’t all the same, that’s why it’s important to take the time to research which is best for you, given the number of beneficial features they offer. You should look for the following features when choosing the right Practice Management Software program for your business:
Automated appointment reminders
It’s not uncommon for patients to book an appointment and then completely forget about it or mix up the date or time. Appointment reminders are integral for ensuring your patients show up for their appointments. Instead of having to call each client in the lead-up to their appointment, you can use an automated appointment reminder feature. Having this integrated into your practice management software can not only increase the number of patients that show up for their appointments, but it also increases clinic productivity. As it is taken care of for you, this frees up much more time for other tasks.
Automated appointment reminders are typically delivered via text message and they include the date, time and name of the practitioner they are seeing. It eliminates any uncertainties and saves your medical receptionists from having to call, sometimes several times to confirm an appointment with a patient. These reminders can be sent as an automated phone call or email in place of a text message if you prefer however, most people have a mobile phone that they check regularly, and text messages are the least likely to go unread. Not everyone checks their emails daily, nor is available to answer a call.
Automated appointment reminders are better for the patient as they are getting the medical care they need when they need it and for you, as it drastically cuts back on the number of no-shows and can boost revenue.
Advanced scheduling capabilities
You’ll find that almost all practice management software programs will offer scheduling capabilities but, to make the most of this feature, it’s a good idea to look for one that has advanced serviceability. If it only has standard functions, it is unlikely to make a major difference in the way you organise and manage your clinic’s scheduling. Here are some great features that can be beneficial when it comes to scheduling:
Drag and drop feature – This enables you to move and organise appointments in seconds with ease
Colour-coding viewing – This helps you to find the information you require fast
Multi-view calendar – This can give you a complete overview of what the schedule looks like, and you can make alterations effortlessly.
Online patient portal
An online patient portal is a total game changer. It enables your patients to be proactive about their care. Here, they can obtain their health information from the convenience of their smart device. This is a secured site that can be accessed via an app using the internet. They can access their referrals, results, appointments, medical certificates, scripts, and so much more.
Digital charting
One of the many benefits that practice management software offers is the reduction of paper recording, documenting, and storing. The security and privacy of such information are paramount to any clinic. Your practice management software program should have detailed and extensive digital paperless charting capabilities. This can save a huge amount of time from manually having to enter data, not to mention there are no issues with legibility and errors are drastically reduced.
Cloud-based platform
A cloud-based practice management software program is recommended over conventional software systems. They are more secure and cost less. The risk of security breaches is far lower as the opportunity for unauthorised access is drastically reduced. It automatically updates without having to manually do this, ensuring you have access to the latest technology. You never have to worry about your documentation getting stolen or destroyed by water or fire, as it’s all securely stored in the cloud.
Customisable login credentials
If your practice management software program has customisable login credentials, this can up your security and make accessing the program far easier. Rather than having to be onsite or waiting for an authorised staff member to allow access, each team member can have their own unique login credentials. You can customise which staff can see what information so they can only access the information you allow them to. This can prevent certain staff from seeing or obtaining restricted information.
You can also track who has logged into the program and when. You can access this necessary information from anywhere and at any time. As you don’t have to be in the clinic to use this, it enables you to take your work with you, which is great for providers that offer their services in multiple locations or out in the community.
Built-in medical billing
Having your medical billing integrated can remove the guesswork. With this feature, you can process payments, submit claims, verify insurance eligibility, and so much more. Having integrated medical billing can boost venue by simplifying billing processes and reducing human errors.
To summarise
In this post, we’ve shared some of the many features you should look for in a practice management software program. It’s a good idea to address areas in the business that could do with streamlining and time management and choose your practice management software program that will cater to your practice’s specific needs.
At Nookal, we have a comprehensive practice management software program that covers all the bases. If you’re interested in trying it out, we offer an obligation-free 30-day trial. You can see how transformational it can be for yourself!