Practice Management
Solution Set
 PM Application Services
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Allscripts® and IDX®: How one FlowcastTM Client Integrates Two Critical Systems
“The Physicians have seen the Allscripts Charge module during the development phase and they are excited because it is easy to use with the simple charge templates and they really enjoy the E&M Expert option to maximize the revenue while still staying compliant.”
Dan DiPrisco, Baylor’s Project Manager
Through its 10-year strategic relationship, Allscripts has partnered with over 100 IDX clients to implement the Allscripts Electronic Health RecordTM (EHR). As part of a key strategic initiative, The Pediatric Cardiology Department at Baylor College of Medicine chose Allscripts ChargeTM to automate their charge entry. Baylor has been using IDX Flowcast including the BAR and TES modules successfully for a number of years. When reviewing electronic Charge entry systems, Baylor was interested in Allscripts’ ability to tightly integrate their system with Baylor’s existing BAR and TES applications. In addition, Allscripts’ modular approach to application implementation and roll out enabled the client to choose the module that met their strategic goal and implement it within one key department as a beta site and test case.
Baylor defines the success criteria for this project very specifically: there must be an increase in the charge capture, a reduction in lost charges and improvement in the overall charge reporting. Baylor also expects to see a decrease in claims denial rates and a reduction in the charge lag time to produce a claim. Finally, they hope to increase coding levels and experience a seamless transition to Allscripts Charge. Inpatient charges, in particular are seen as an area where significant revenue is slipping through the cracks. Because the physician can easily enter the charges at the time of service using the PDA (IPAQ), Baylor expects a significant reduction in missing charges and increased coding compliance. This will reduce the amount of effort on the back-end to complete charges and decrease the days in A/R.
At the same time, Baylor has a very successful IDX BAR and TES implementation which manages all captured charges and performs all necessary editing tasks without event. It is this successful system that Baylor was interested in augmenting by implementing a front end solution to capture all charges as they occur. Allscripts Charge enables physicians to focus on the patient at hand and address their needs. Since all patient records are available in the Charge handheld device, physicians can locate a given patient and enter the necessary diagnoses and procedures quickly, efficiently and without paper. The information entered is then synchronized to the Allscripts EHR which is integrated with the existing IDX TES application where the charges are run through the standard editing process. Those IDX clients that do not use TES module can integrate directly into BAR with similar results.
By implementing this system, Baylor expects to capture significant additional revenue and simplify their physicians’ lives at the same time. Dan DiPrisco, Baylor’s Project Manager for the implementation says, “The Physicians have seen the Allscripts Charge module during the development phase and they are excited because it is easy to use with the simple charge templates and they really enjoy the E&M Expert option to maximize the revenue while still staying compliant.”
Global Works provides implementation, training, and project management services to clients implementing or running the Allscripts EHR or IDX Flowcast systems. Global Works Rodney Brock is the Project Manager for the client on the Baylor implementation. The Global Works Implementation services include assisting the client in making key application set up decisions, implementation, testing, training, and go live support. “It’s been great working with Global Works. Rodney’s relationship with Allscripts has made it a seamless project. His knowledge of the product has really helped with all of the behind the scenes work that needs to be done,” says Dan DiPrisco.
The current status of the Allscripts Charge implementation is designation of a core implementation team which includes Dan DiPrisco, Bernice Cage, Vertes Jones, Betty Yancy and James Doyle. Baylor recognized the need for internal resources who understand the Baylor environment as well as external resources that had in-depth knowledge of the Allscripts EHR and IDX Flowcast systems. The team is in the process of building dictionaries, charge groups, providers and users in order to create the initial system set up. Occurring simultaneously to the system design is the creation of Baylor-specific training material, test plans and procedures to support using Allscripts Charge.
As soon as the system set up has been completed, Baylor will begin running through the test plans and simulation of Charge entry in effort to identify any system irregularities prior to the live date slated for August 15, 2005. Baylor is hoping that Charge will provide physicians with a simple and quick way to capture charges. Once the project is successful, it is possible that it will be rolled out to the other departments at Baylor.
IDX® and FlowcastTM are registered trademarks of IDX Systems Corporation.
AllsciptsTM, Allscripts EHRTM, and Allscripts ChargeTM are registered trademarks of Allscripts, LLC.
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