Client Background
The client is a prominent healthcare provider based in California. The client has delivered healthcare services to more than 800 patients in the urgent care specialty. The client aims to deliver effective, care-coordinated healthcare services with passion and medical expertise.
Business challenges
The client was using Epic EHR to manage chronic care patients. However, while managing patients through the existing software, the client identified that to obtain expected health outcomes, evaluation of patient health and care plan progress is crucial. Due to the lack of crucial functionalities within the EHR software, the client was unable to track the patient’s health status.
To overcome challenges, the client was looking for robust software that comprises the patient health evaluation capabilities to ensure treatment is in the right direction.
1. Lack of Comprehensive Progress Tracking
The client faced challenges in effectively monitoring and evaluating patient progress within chronic care management programs. Manual tracking processes were time-consuming and prone to inconsistencies, hindering the client's ability to assess the effectiveness of care plans and make informed decisions to optimize patient outcomes.
2. Inefficient Care Plan Reviews
Conducting monthly care plan reviews required significant manual effort and coordination among care providers. This process was prone to delays and inconsistencies, impacting the client's ability to regularly update and adjust care plans to meet evolving patient needs and improve treatment efficacy.
3. Limited Health Assessment Options
Traditional assessment methods lacked flexibility and convenience for both care providers and patients. The client struggled with conducting regular health assessments due to logistical challenges and resource constraints, resulting in gaps in patient monitoring and limited data for informed decision-making.
4. Inadequate Physician Involvement
Physician reviews were essential for ensuring the effectiveness and alignment of care plans with medical best practices. However, the client faced challenges in facilitating regular physician involvement in care plan evaluations, leading to potential gaps in medical oversight and decision-making.
Solution
To address the business need and overcome barriers to achieving the expected patient health outcomes, the client has approached Medarch Inc. for eCareMD software. To understand the client’s exact requirements, our team of business analysts and subject matter experts took multiple interaction calls and demonstrations with the client.
Upon understanding the requirements and the client’s approval, we implemented eCareMD CCM software within the client’s practice. After the implementation of eCareMD software within the practice, the client has experienced improved patient health outcomes and an increased patient satisfaction rate, ultimately resulting in increased revenue for the practice.
Solution Highlights
The eCareMD software comprises various features that help in evaluating patient health conditions and achieving better health outcomes. Some of the features are
1. Care Plan Progress Evaluation
To ensure optimal health outcomes, it is important to monitor the patient's progress regularly. The eCareMD software enhanced this process by offering functionality that allows care providers to assess the patient's health in alignment with the assigned care plan. Care providers could now systematically track the status of care plan goals, categorizing them as achieved, pending, ongoing, or in progress. This approach extends to monitoring barriers and interventions. The software facilitates a comprehensive overview of care plan progress, detailing goals accomplished, barriers resolved, and interventions implemented. This streamlined tracking process contributes to more informed decision-making and better health outcomes for the patient.
2. Monthly Care Plan Review
After implementing eCareMD, the care providers could review care plans on a monthly basis. In this review, the care provider could easily update the notes about care plan goals, barriers, interventions, symptoms, medication, allergies, numbers to track, and expected outcomes. These monthly updates of the care plan helped care providers and patients understand their health condition better and make the necessary modifications in treatment.
3. Regular Health Assessments
The software allowed assessing patient health at regular intervals and helped care providers make informed decisions based on the responses received/data collected. In eCareMD software, the assessments can be completed in two ways. It can be done by the provider itself or the care provider can send it to the patient over email.
4. Physician Review
Physicians, as medical experts, possess in-depth knowledge about the fundamentals of chronic care management programs. Alongside care providers, physician reviews play a crucial role in ensuring that treatment is heading in the right direction. By regularly assessing monthly care plan updates, physicians can recommend necessary changes in sections such as initial review notes, tests, medications, health, dietary and exercise adjustments, and then sign off on the care plan. This collaborative approach ensures that the care plan remains aligned with the patient's evolving health needs and medical best practices.
Value Delivered
1. Data-driven Informed Decision-making
The regular evaluation of patient health allows care providers to view the health data of patients and analyze the health condition of a patient, which helps in making more informed decisions that result in improved health outcomes for patients.
2. More Patient-centered Care Delivery
Continuous evaluation and customization of care plans based on patient health data facilitates a more patient-centered approach and care.
3. Increased Patient Engagement and Treatment Adherence
Activities done through eCareMD software like monthly care plan review, physician review, and evaluation of care plan progress, keep patients engaged with treatment plan and adhere to them as required suggestions can be provided by care providers post assessment of health.
4. Improved Health Outcomes for the Patient
Customized care plans, based on care providers' requirements and recommendations, assist patients in adhering to treatments accurately, leading to improved health outcomes.