Electronic Health Reporter

By Nicole Leisle, vice president product marketing, Centripoint.

Organizations that serve adults with disabilities often operate on shoestring budgets, forcing spending to stay at a minimum and technological advances not prioritized. Many are still using legacy systems and processes that require manual input, whether that be writing it down on a piece of paper or entering it into Excel.

This is an inefficient method of operating, and often leads to many errors that impact the person being served. While technology can be seen as an expensive investment, the reality is that over time there is a return that benefits the organization, employees, and clients. For those serving these groups of people to be efficient and create a better experience for those being served, the adoption of technology is the path forward.

Existing Systems and Processes Need to Be Modernized

Antiquated systems and processes lead to inefficiencies that end up being detrimental to patients being served. The method of manual input, whether on paper or Excel, can create real problems, from double-booking to not accurately inputting information, which can consume time for patients and staff. Appointment setting must be handled with care, especially for those with disabilities, as some require additional support like transportation.

When that’s the case, the importance of accurate information is even clearer. If a patient isn’t transported because of clerical errors, this creates a bad experience for an already underserved population, which makes them less likely to continue with existing care. On the other hand, if a driver is mistakenly dispatched to the wrong location, that is a waste of time and money for the organization.  With more than 60 million Americans living with disabilities, the importance of having efficient operations can be critical toward maintaining care for these individuals.

The Benefits of Adopting Technology 

Technological tools can help allocate an organization’s resources more efficiently. Tailored software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions designed to support these organizations, from transportation to appointment scheduling, can reduce errors and improve efficiencies. While modernizing antiquated systems can be a pricey upfront cost, the benefits for health providers and patients is worth the investment.

Overall health care costs are reduced when people have timely access to routine medical care before situations become an emergency. Family members and local service groups do their best to support individuals with disabilities in their care. Yet the burden on family and friends can be overwhelming, and organizations are often underfunded. Medical practices that invest in technology that gives their patients a voice and options for scheduling transportation can expect improved patient relations and health outcomes.

Key Features to Look For 

To reduce an office’s staff load in managing transportation, a HIPAA-compliant solution is necessary. One with options for simple changing, tracking, and coordinating schedules on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis is a great place to start. A solution built around compassionate care can feature driver check-ins — from pick-ups and  arrivals to drop-offs back home — to give peace of mind to staff and families.

Mobility services that customize transport preferences and adapt routing to the needs of users with different abilities help with planning. Automating these processes  prevents double bookings  and ensures automatic reminders of appointments, confirmation of appointments, and drivers dispatched to the correct locations.

Adopting new technology is a considerable financial decision for any organization, especially service entities. While the initial integration might seem costly, staying up-to-date with the current technology ultimately saves providers a lot of money. Making the leap sooner rather than later will help reduce errors and free up employees’ time to tend to other important tasks, all while delivering better care and services for users.