Client Overview
The client is a specialized cardiology healthcare facility based in Atlanta, Georgia, providing comprehensive care to patients with cardiovascular conditions. The facility is staffed with a dedicated team of nurses and care managers who focus on delivering Chronic Care Management (CCM) services to patients with two or more chronic conditions.
The client uses an integrated EHR system to manage their patients, daily operations, documentation, and Medicare billing. This system is essential for efficiently handling patient care, compliance, and reimbursement, helping the client maintain high standards of care and operational efficiency.
Business challenges
1. Enhancing Patient Engagement and Treatment Adherence Through EHR
Over the years, the client identified that their EHR system lacked robust patient engagement functionalities. The care managers needed to work on communicating with patients in real-time, which affected patient health outcomes, lower satisfaction levels, and poor treatment adherence.
2. Complex Workflows and Training Challenges
The client’s EHR system presented complex workflows that were difficult to navigate, especially with limited staff. This complexity hindered the care providers' ability to deliver timely and effective care, ultimately affecting efficiency and reducing practice revenue.
3. Eligibility Tracking Challenges
Identifying eligible patients for CMS-sponsored programs is critical for achieving optimal patient health outcomes. The client’s existing EHR system lacked the functionality to streamline this process, making it difficult for care providers to enroll patients in appropriate programs and deliver necessary care.
4. Lack of Care Coordination
The primary care team consisted of multiple providers managing patients with chronic conditions. The absence of care coordination features in the EHR software led to confusion among care team members, adversely affecting the quality of care and patient health outcomes.
Solution
Frustrated with these challenges, the client sought a product to streamline their practice workflows through advanced technological features. They approached Medarch Inc. for the eCareMD product. Our business analysts and subject matter experts conducted multiple demonstrations to understand the client’s requirements and challenges thoroughly. After several discussions, the client confirmed that eCareMD could address their needs, streamline workflows, and resolve business challenges, leading to enhanced quality of care and productivity.
Upon approval, our team implemented eCareMD in the client’s practice. Post-implementation, the client experienced smoother workflows, improved care delivery, and increased practice efficiency.
Solution Highlights
eCareMD includes cutting-edge technological features that enable providers to deliver care more efficiently. Key features that addressed the client’s challenges include:
1. Secure and Versatile Communication Channels
Chronic condition treatment often requires prolonged patient engagement, which can be challenging. eCareMD’s multiple communication channels addressed this issue, including voice calls, SMS, and real-time chat. These functionalities enabled care providers to interact with patients in real time for activities such as weekly chart reviews, care plan updates, and prescription refills.
2. Customizable Reminders
To improve treatment adherence, eCareMD’s customizable reminders allowed care providers to schedule hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly reminders via calls, emails, and SMS. These reminders for medications, appointments, exercise, diet, and sleep routines significantly improved patient adherence and contributed to better health outcomes.
3. CMS-Compliant Eligibility Tracking
eCareMD suggested the best eligible programs for patients based on their chronic conditions and onset dates, including CCM, PCM, RPM, BHI, and AWV. This feature helped care providers enroll patients in appropriate programs and reduced the burden of eligibility tracking.
4. Efficient Task and Call Management System
Care coordination is crucial for achieving desired patient health outcomes. eCareMD enabled care providers to assign daily/weekly chart reviews, assessment reviews, care plan updates, and scheduled calls to other team members. This functionality enhanced care coordination, increasing patient satisfaction and improved health outcomes.
Value Delivered
1. Enhanced Patient Engagement &Treatment adherence
70% Increase in Patient Interaction: Implementing eCareMD’s secure communication channels led to a 70% increase in patient interactions, resulting in higher satisfaction and engagement.
40% Improvement in Treatment Adherence: The customizable reminders and real-time communication features contributed to a 40% improvement in treatment adherence, ensuring that patients followed their care plans more consistently.
2. Streamlined Workflow and Efficiency
30% Increase in Staff Efficiency: With reduced workflow complexity and better task management, the care team experienced a 30% increase in overall efficiency, allowing them to focus more on patient care.
3. Improved CMS Eligibility Tracking
50% Faster Patient Enrollment: eCareMD’s CMS-compliant eligibility tracking allowed care providers to enroll patients in the appropriate programs 50% faster, ensuring timely care delivery.
4. Optimized Care Coordination
25% Improvement in Patient Outcomes: The improved coordination and communication among care team members contributed to a 25% enhancement in patient health outcomes, reflecting better care delivery and management.
5. Increased practice revenue
20% Increase in Revenue: Accurate and efficient tracking of CMS program eligibility resulted in a 20% increase in revenue due to optimized billing and reimbursement processes.