The Strategic Asset of Provider Data

Provider data is not merely a collection of names and contact details; it is a strategic asset that underpins patient access, care coordination, and operational efficiency. Accurate provider data ensures that patients can easily find and book appointments with the right provider for their needs, thereby enhancing patient satisfaction and trust. Moreover, it supports healthcare organizations in optimizing their networks and improving care delivery.

Inaccurate provider data, on the other hand, can create a domino effect of inefficiencies. Patients may struggle to find appropriate care, leading to frustration and potential loss of trust in the healthcare system. Additionally, healthcare organizations may face operational challenges, such as increased manual data updates and IT support tickets, diverting valuable resources from strategic initiatives.

The Role of Master Data Management

While master data management (MDM) is important for overall data governance, provider data demands a specialized approach. MDM provides a framework for centralizing and organizing data across an organization, ensuring consistency and accuracy. However, provider data requires additional attention due to its complexity and the role it plays in healthcare delivery.

Integrating PDM with MDM unlocks powerful capabilities. It allows healthcare organizations to maintain a single source of truth, facilitating accurate provider directories, streamlined care coordination, and optimized network management. This integration also supports compliance with government programs, such as 340B, where accurate provider information is essential for maximizing reimbursements.

Challenges in Provider Data Management

Managing provider data is not without its challenges. Organizations often pull information from multiple data sources, creating complexity in maintaining up-to-date and accurate data across channels. This complexity is compounded by the need to ensure data is consumer-friendly, enabling patients to make informed decisions about their care.

Moreover, the “build vs. buy” decision is a common dilemma for CIOs and IT teams. While some organizations attempt to build their own provider data management system, they often underestimate the complexity and resource requirements involved. Outsourcing PDM to specialized vendors can be a more effective strategy, allowing internal teams to focus on enhancing patient experiences.

The Benefits of Provider Data Accuracy

At its core, clean provider data supports better patient-provider matching, ensuring patients receive appropriate care from a provider who best meets not only their clinical needs, but personal preferences as well. When data accuracy is poor it can lead to poor matches and unsatisfied patients. 

Accurate provider data also enhances operational efficiencies and reduces administrative overhead. By reducing the need for manual data updates, healthcare organizations can reallocate staff to higher-value tasks, such as strategic growth initiatives. 

Engaging Providers in Data Accuracy

Accurate provider data is important as you work to attract patients across channels (internally, on your website, and across the web), which is vital as our research shows that over 50% of consumers access three or more online resources when gathering information about their care options. 

Providers play a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy of their data. However, healthcare organizations must recognize the demands on providers and partner them with administrative leadership to prioritize and manage data elements effectively.

Collaborative partnerships, such as those offered by Kyruus Health, combine external expertise with your own resources to optimize provider data. This approach empowers providers, streamlines processes, and ultimately drives organizational success.

Accurate Provider Data Drives Value

In conclusion, accurate provider data is a strategic asset that drives significant value for healthcare organizations. By integrating provider data management with master data management, organizations can unlock powerful capabilities that enhance patient experiences and operational efficiencies. While challenges exist, investing in a purpose-built provider data management solution and engaging providers in data accuracy efforts are key to overcoming these hurdles.

As healthcare continues to evolve, the importance of clean and centralized provider data will only grow. Organizations that recognize this and take proactive steps to m

anage their provider data effectively will be well-positioned to thrive in the competitive healthcare landscape. Interested in learning more? Schedule time with a member of our team.

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For AI to truly empower patients in finding the care they need, it must rely on clinical information that’s accurate and easy to understand. Comprehensive, clinically specific data forms a foundation that allows AI to bridge the gap between complex medical language and accessible, patient-friendly guidance.

Here’s how leveraging clinically standardized taxonomy strengthens AI’s ability to guide people to the right care, with greater ease and precision:

Enhanced Accuracy and Relevance

Using a clinical library with terms for conditions, treatments, specialties, and provider types means AI can deliver more accurate and relevant results. Clear, patient-friendly language helps remove ambiguity and ensures users find what they need without getting lost in medical jargon.

Improved Search Efficiency

With an organized library of terms, AI can quickly process search queries, leading to faster, more efficient results. This means less time spent searching and more time spent accessing the right information.

Consistent, Trustworthy Results

A standardized taxonomy promotes consistency across searches, which builds user trust in the results. People know they’re receiving reliable information each time they search, regardless of how they phrase their query.

Enhanced User Experience

Clinically specific and standardized taxonomy lets AI interpret queries with greater precision. This helps patients and members make well-informed choices about providers, services, and care locations based on accurate, relevant insights.

Scalability and Interoperability

Healthcare is always evolving, and so is Kyruus Health’s Clinical Library. By continually updating to match healthcare advancements, we ensure AI solutions stay current. Standardized terms also improve interoperability across platforms, supporting a coordinated approach to patient care.

With a robust clinical taxonomy guiding AI, healthcare organizations can deliver a more intuitive, helpful experience for patients, members, and providers alike. Kyruus Health’s Clinical Library is built with over 35,000 terms for symptoms, conditions, and treatments—covering both clinical and lay language. Curated and updated by our Clinical Team, this resource ensures AI-driven tools meet the growing needs of care access with accuracy, empathy, and efficiency.

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Ensuring accurate provider data and appointment availability across various channels, including health plan sites and search engines, can improve provider’s broader digital presence and facilitate direct scheduling from these platforms. 

Understanding the Impact of Patient Preferences on New Patient Acquisition

A majority of today’s patients prefer researching online to select healthcare providers. Recent research has found that not only do 70% of patients rely on the internet when searching for care, but over 50% actually access three or more different online resources before they make a selection. 

Patients trust the internet almost as much as personal recommendations from friends or family members. When selecting healthcare options, key factors such as cost, quality, and convenience play a crucial role in their decision-making process. The ease of accessing comprehensive and transparent information online allows patients to compare services, read reviews, and evaluate the credentials of healthcare providers. Organizations must understand that if they are looking to effectively capture new patients, they must prioritize their digital presence.

Step 1: Centralize and Optimize Provider and Location Data to Ensure Accuracy

Provider data is stored across various platforms within a health system or hospital, including spreadsheets, credentialing systems, and electronic health records (EHRs), among others. Managing this data can be quite burdensome and time-intensive, particularly due to the need for regular updates and the involvement of numerous users. 

Centralizing provider data is essential for maintaining its accuracy and consistency not only across multiple access points within the organization, but also across digital platforms, which is vital for guiding patients to the right care. 

To optimize provider data and help consumers find a care provider that is best suited for their needs, it’s essential to curate comprehensive profiles that include key attributes such as accepted insurance, clinical expertise, and appointment availability—all crucial factors for patients making decisions.

Enhancing these profiles with additional details like personalized professional statements, introductory videos, and inclusivity indicators can further assist patients in assessing the patient-provider match. By ensuring this information is up-to-date, easily searchable, and tailored to patients’ priorities, organizations can significantly improve the care matching process.

Such centralization and optimization not only enhances online visibility and improves patient access but also streamlines the patient self-scheduling process. Ultimately, by centralizing provider and location data, healthcare organizations can provide reliable information to patients, thereby improving new patient acquisition and overall engagement.

Step 2: Automate Provider Data Updates Across Digital Platforms

Many organizations have up-to-date information about their providers on their own website, but struggle to manage their digital listings across the web. Consumers are often searching for care on their health plan website or a search engine, and managing information on these sites tends to be an extremely time consuming and manual process. 

By centralizing and optimizing provider and location data, healthcare organizations are empowered to manage listings more seamlessly and push updates live automatically across all digital platforms that are connected to their provider data management system. This reduces manual errors and inconsistencies, ensuring that the information remains accurate and up-to-date while reducing administrative burdens on your team.

The other benefit is that new patient acquisition and engagement also improve. A recent study found that 30% of consumers reported skipping or delaying care in the last year as a direct result of encountering inaccurate provider information. Ensuring that this information is accurate may help to prevent care gaps in the future.

Leverage Online Reviews and Social Media to Attract New Patients

In addition to having accurate information on your providers, organizations should encourage patients to leave positive reviews. These reviews help to attract new patients and build loyalty. Consider implementing systems to request feedback through online surveys or emails and respond to reviews whenever possible to show engagement and care.

Social media is another useful platform for engaging with patients, especially among younger consumers. Recent research has shown that over 25% of younger consumers utilize social media when searching for care. Organizations should consider using it to raise awareness and engage with potential patients. It’s a valuable tool for expanding your reach and improving new patient acquisition.

Step 3: Implement Patient Online Scheduling 

Earlier, we discussed the importance of consumer preferences on care selection. Some factors, such as the availability of patient online scheduling, are so important to patients that they will go as far as to seek care with someone else for access to this option. 

Patient online scheduling allows for a seamless connection with real-time availability that is directly integrated with a healthcare organization’s electronic health record (EHR). This convenience can promote greater patient engagement, increasing the likelihood of a scheduled appointment and thus improving new patient acquisition rates. 

Many organizations have patient self scheduling on their website, but fail to offer this capability in other channels that consumers frequent most often. With health plan websites being the first place that most consumers go when searching for care, it is a natural extension for organizations to offer patient self scheduling on these sites. 

Reach Farther, Grow Faster

Acquiring new patients requires a strategic approach. By prioritizing accurate provider data, ensuring an optimal digital presence across platforms, and embracing patient online scheduling, healthcare providers can effectively boost new patient acquisition. 

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Meet us at HCIC 2024!

JW Marriott Austin | November 10-13, 2024

Booth #219

Kyruus Health Booth 219

Explore Catholic Health’s digital transformation, focusing on elevating consumer engagement and access. Join this session to hear the story behind choosing to buy versus building a digital scheduling platform to serve as the foundation of their digital access strategy. Dive into Catholic Health’s journey of overcoming data management challenges, partnering with operations, and delivering a unified patient experience.

Meet our On-Site Team

Ed O'Donnell
Sr. Account Executive, Enterprise

Book a Meeting

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In this blog, we’ll explore the critical importance of provider data management for health plans, the tangible impact it has on their financial health, and the strategies needed to overcome common challenges. By the end, it will be clear that effective provider data management is not just a regulatory obligation but a powerful tool for improving member experience, reducing costs, and driving sustainable growth.

For additional insights, register for our upcoming webinar to hear from industry experts and discover strategies for transforming your provider data management approach.

The Business Impact of Provider Data Management

For health plans, provider data management influences five key areas that directly impact their bottom line:

1. Member Experience
2. Access to Care
3. Regulatory Compliance
4. Provider Network Collaboration
5. Operational Efficiency

Each of these elements plays a vital role in a health plan’s overall success, and all are dependent on the quality of provider data. Let’s examine how accurate provider data influences each of these factors and how it can drive measurable improvements for health plans.

1. Provider Data Management Enhances Member Experience

Members look to their health plans for accurate, timely, and detailed information about healthcare providers. When they search for a provider through their health plan’s website, they expect to find up-to-date details on important factors like practice locations, languages spoken, years of experience, and treatment philosophy. Unfortunately, outdated or inaccurate information is a common problem, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction among members.

A recent survey revealed that 62% of members want more accurate information from their health plans, and this need is even more pronounced among younger generations. 70% of Millennials and 64% of Gen Z members expressed a desire for more detailed provider profiles.

The consequences of poor provider data are significant: members may leave their health plan, seek care outside their network, or delay care altogether. In contrast, providing accurate and comprehensive information builds trust between members and their health plans, encouraging them to stay within the network and take advantage of the care options available to them. This translates into higher retention rates and increased member satisfaction, both of which are critical for financial success.

For instance, health plans that offer enhanced provider profiles have reported a 114% increase in member interactions compared to those with non-enhanced profiles. This demonstrates the powerful impact that well-managed provider data can have on member engagement.

2. Provider Data Management Improves Access to Care

Accurate provider data doesn’t just improve member experience—it also plays a critical role in ensuring that members can access in-network care. When provider directories contain outdated or incorrect information, members are more likely to seek care outside of their network, leading to higher out-of-network claims and increased healthcare costs for both the plan and the member.

In fact, 18% of inpatient admissions and 8% of outpatient services involve an out-of-network provider claim, each adding an average of $350 in costs per encounter. Even more concerning, 70% of members who faced unaffordable out-of-network medical bills were unaware that their provider was out-of-network until after receiving care.

By investing in accurate, up-to-date provider data, health plans can help members avoid these costly surprises. Additionally, integrating features like online appointment scheduling, which relies on accurate provider data, allows members to easily book in-network care, further reducing the likelihood of out-of-network claims.

3. Provider Data Management Ensures Regulatory Compliance

The regulatory landscape surrounding provider data management has become increasingly stringent in recent years. Legislation such as the No Surprises Act and the proposed REAL Health Providers Act requires health plans to verify the accuracy of their provider directories regularly and remove any outdated or incorrect information.

Failure to comply with these regulations can result in significant penalties. For example, health plans must now verify provider data quarterly and correct discrepancies within two days. Under the proposed REAL Health Providers Act, health plans must remove providers who are no longer in-network within five business days. Non-compliance could lead to steep fines and damage the health plan’s reputation.

However, compliance isn’t just about avoiding penalties. Health plans that proactively ensure their provider data is accurate, accessible, and understandable to members are better positioned to build trust and foster positive member experiences. By going beyond the minimum requirements of the law, health plans can differentiate themselves in a competitive marketplace while also reducing their risk of financial penalties.

4. Provider Data Management Improves Provider Network Collaboration

Collaboration between providers and health plans is essential for maintaining accurate provider directories. Providers rely on health plans to ensure their information is represented accurately, but they often encounter challenges like inconsistent submission requirements and cumbersome processes for updating their details. As a result, only 20% of providers feel confident that their health plan directories accurately represent their facilities and staff.

Health plans can improve this situation by streamlining the process for providers to update their own information. Implementing user-friendly tools and systems for providers to submit updates can significantly improve data accuracy and reduce the administrative burden on both providers and the health plan. By investing in these solutions, health plans can foster stronger relationships with their provider networks, leading to more accurate and comprehensive directories.

5. Provider Data Management Leads to Operational Efficiency

Managing provider data is a resource-intensive process, often requiring substantial time and labor for manual updates. Health plans that rely on outdated or inefficient systems for managing provider information may find themselves constantly struggling to keep up with changes, leading to higher administrative costs and operational inefficiencies.

A centralized data management system, supported by automated workflows, can significantly reduce the burden of manual data updates. Such a system ensures that updates are reflected consistently across all channels, from member-facing directories to internal systems used by customer service agents. This not only improves the accuracy of provider data but also enhances operational efficiency, freeing up resources that can be redirected toward more strategic initiatives.

Key Strategies for Effective Provider Data Management

To successfully manage provider data and realize the benefits outlined above, health plans should consider implementing the following strategies:

• Centralize Provider Data: Establish a centralized data repository to maintain uniformity and accuracy across all channels.
• Regular Verification: Implement regular verification processes to ensure provider information is current and compliant.
• Enhanced Provider Profiles: Offer detailed, up-to-date provider profiles that meet member expectations for comprehensive information.
• Provider-Friendly Tools: Develop tools that allow providers to easily update their own information, ensuring accuracy and reducing administrative burdens.
• Online Scheduling: Integrate online scheduling functionality to improve access to care and reduce out-of-network claims.
• Automated Data Management: Leverage advanced technologies to automate data management processes, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs.

Conclusion: Why Provider Data Management is a Business Imperative

Effective provider data management is no longer a luxury for health plans—it is a necessity. Accurate, timely, and comprehensive provider data drives improvements in member experience, access to care, compliance, provider collaboration, and operational efficiency. Health plans that prioritize provider data management will not only reduce costs and avoid penalties but also position themselves for long-term success by building trust with their members and providers.

By investing in robust provider data management solutions, health plans can unlock the full potential of their provider networks, improve member satisfaction, and drive measurable financial benefits. For those ready to take the next step, Kyruus Health offers innovative provider data management solutions designed to meet the unique needs of health plans and deliver a clear return on investment. Contact us today to learn more.

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To dive deeper into these topics, register for the upcoming webinar hosted by AHIP, “From Data to Action: Transforming Provider Data into Enhanced Member Experiences.” This session will explore real-world applications of advanced provider data management techniques and their impact on health plan operations and member experiences.

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BOSTON, MA – OCT. 9, 2024 – Kyruus Health, the leading care access platform, announced the launch of Reach, a listings management solution designed to help health systems, hospitals, and medical groups to extend their brand’s reach, drive appointments, and increase patient acquisition.

As the healthcare landscape becomes more complex, organizations face mounting challenges in maintaining accurate information across digital platforms. Reach addresses these issues by providing a centralized, automated solution for managing provider, location, service, and scheduling details across online directories and search engines through its integration with Kyruus Connect. This solution improves visibility, ensures consistency, and enhances patient engagement to support retention and acquisition efforts.

Reach syndicates provider and location data across major digital listing sites, as well as the proprietary Kyruus Health network, which includes over 100 health plan brands, care navigation organizations serving employers, and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Reach will continue to expand its impact in 2025 across additional high-traffic platforms, including the ability to manage reviews and ratings within and across them.

Other key features include:

• SEO Optimization: Enhance search rankings to make provider and location listings easily discoverable by potential patients.
• Business Profile Management: Ensure up-to-date and optimized listings on leading search platforms.
• Automate the Management of Listings: Sync provider and location updates automatically to reduce administrative burdens.

“As healthcare organizations increase their investment in digital advertising, many struggle with fragmented vendor landscapes and inconsistent provider data,” said Lesley Weisenbacher, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Kyruus Health. “Kyruus Health is already recognized as the leader in provider data management, so Reach is a natural extension of our offerings. By leveraging Kyruus Connect, Reach enables healthcare organizations to enhance visibility and growth in a digital-first world, ensuring patients can easily find the care they need.”

Crafted from Kyruus Health’s extensive experience in provider data management, this platform is specifically designed to meet the unique needs and nuances of the healthcare industry. Reach promotes effective use of data, allowing healthcare organizations to consolidate vendors and cut costs.

For more information about Reach, please visit KyruusHealth.com/Reach or schedule time to connect with the Kyruus Health team at SHSMD next week to learn more.

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According to a study by Consumer Affairs, 97% of Americans own a mobile phone, and spend an average of 4 hours and 30 minutes on their phones each day. This makes reaching patients in their phone’s native SMS function an ideal platform for healthcare staff to increase engagement. Healthcare staff carry the same consumer expectations, preferring to communicate digitally with patients.  In a recent Kyruus Health research study, our team found that 88% of front office staff at medical group and mid-level hospitals found two-way communication tools important for their day-to-day tasks. Let’s explore the benefits of SMS-based patient communication and why it should be a top priority for provider organizations.

Instant and convenient communication

Unlike traditional methods of communication such as phone calls or emails, SMS for healthcare solutions offer instant and convenient communication. With just a few taps, staff can send appointment reminders, collect outstanding balances, and other important updates to patients. This not only saves time for both parties but also eliminates the need for patients to remember to check their emails, voicemail, or patient portal for important information. In fact, a study by the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that 70% of patients preferred receiving appointment reminders via text message over other forms of communication.

Increased engagement and patient satisfaction

Effective communication is a crucial component of patient engagement, which is essential for improving patient outcomes. A study by the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that patients who received text message reminders were more likely to attend their appointments and follow their treatment plans, resulting in improved health outcomes. Additionally, SMS for healthcare allows patients to ask questions, provide feedback, and request refills or appointments easily, leading to increased patient satisfaction.

When taking a step outside of the healthcare industry, SMS marketing statistics for USA businesses tout that 95% of text messages are read and responded to within 3 minutes of being received. Additionally, the average open rate for an SMS campaign is 9%, 5x that of email (20%). It is almost guaranteed that any SMS message will be received and read. The effectiveness of SMS for healthcare can surely mirror that of other businesses to meet consumers where they are while driving increased engagement and satisfaction for provider organizations.

Cost-effective and time-saving

SMS for healthcare solutions are not only convenient but also cost-effective for provider organizations. Traditional methods of communication, such as phone calls, can be time-consuming and require additional staff resources. The last thing front office staff need is a room line full of patients waiting to be attended to while they are patiently waiting for a patient to answer the phone call —that ultimately gets sent to voicemail.

On the other hand, text messages can be automated and sent in bulk, reducing the time and resources needed for patient communication. SMS for healthcare solutions can allow staff to send alerts to all patients with an appointment that day to use an alternate entrance due to utility work, or remind everyone that hasn’t seen their primary care provider in over a year to schedule their annual exam. These methods of bulk sending, known as broadcast messaging and health campaigns allow staff to focus on other important tasks that ultimately saves money for the organization.

SMS for healthcare provides compliance with HIPAA regulations

Patient privacy and confidentiality are of utmost importance in the healthcare industry. With the rise of digital communication, it is crucial for provider organizations to comply with HIPAA regulations. Fortunately, SMS-based communication platforms offer secure messaging options that are compliant with HIPAA regulations. This ensures that patient information remains private and secure, providing peace of mind for both patients and provider staff.

It is difficult to argue that effective patient communication is vital for the success of any provider organization. SMS-based communication not only offers convenience and cost-effectiveness but also improves patient engagement and satisfaction. With the use of mobile technology not going anywhere in the foreseeable future, utilizing SMS-based communication in healthcare is a no-brainer. By incorporating this tool into their communication strategy, provider organizations can enhance patient communication, leading to better patient outcomes and overall success.

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Introduction to Patient Access Challenges

The 2024 Care Access Benchmark Report for Healthcare Organizations delves deep into key areas that healthcare organizations are focused on, including:

• Boosting new patient acquisition and engagement
• Getting people connected to the right care 
• Driving operational efficiency 

The research also highlights the need for improved patient access. The report discusses how important it is to provide consumers the digital experiences that they desire, however, it also stresses the importance of making sure those digital experiences are powered by accurate, enriched data. Doing so will ensure that patients are matched with the best care for both their clinical needs and personal preferences. It’s important to note that doing this will not only boost patient satisfaction, it can also greatly improve operational efficiency. 

Centralized Data to Power Multi-Channel Patient Access

With 52% of consumers consulting three or more online resources when searching for care, centralizing and maintaining accurate provider, service, and location data is crucial. Organizations can use this centralized data to not only power their owned digital experiences, but they can also push that data out to other third-party sites that consumers frequent most, such as health plan websites or Google. This approach not only aids in attracting new patients but also ensures that existing patients have a seamless experience when seeking care, regardless of where they begin their search.

Preventing Care Gaps Through Digital Patient Engagement

The report shows that 63% of people who skipped or delayed care in the last year could not find an appointment that was at either a convenient day, time, or location for them. 48% of those that skipped care even indicated that they would change providers for access to patient online scheduling. These figures highlight the need for healthcare organizations to expand patient access to self scheduling capabilities, whether that means launching it for the first time or adding additional appointment types or specialties, ultimately making it easier for patients to find and book care on their own time.

Expanding the Digital Patient Journey and Promoting Operational Efficiency

Consumers have spoken: they want the ability to perform as many tasks digitally ahead of their appointment as possible. The days of needing to fill out a mountain of paperwork on a clipboard while sitting in the waiting room are over. Allowing these pre-visit tasks to be completed online will not only meet preference for enhanced patient access, but it will greatly improve operational efficiency by allowing your front-office staff members to focus on other, higher-value work.

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The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortage of between 10,100 and 19,800 surgeons by 2036. According to the American College of Surgeons, the financial burden of a medical education is a major driver of this problem. They state that this shortage is “a critical component of the crisis in healthcare because only surgeons are uniquely trained and qualified to provide certain necessary, lifesaving procedures.”

Making matters worse, the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) reports that 20% of the nation’s surgical nurses will reach retirement age in the next five years. And there’s also a shortage of anesthesiologists. The Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health reports on this shortage and the increasing demand for surgical services, driven in part by the aging population in the U.S.           

Surgery clinics serve a vital purpose; if patients must delay care because no surgical providers are available near them, poor outcomes may result. With increasing demand coupled with increasing provider shortage, how can these clinics find a way to succeed?

Streamline Clinic Functions by Going Digital

Strategically deployed digital solutions that enable real-time data integration, utilize patient-entered data, prioritize digital patient intake, and engage with and educate patients can help reduce some of the burden created by staffing shortages in surgical specialty clinics. Let’s take a deeper dive into these four strategic capabilities: 

1.    Integrate data directly into the EHR in real time data

Surgical providers can improve their decision-making and enhance patient care when patient’s test results and other data are documented in the EHR as soon as that information is available. Patient safety and clinical decision support are also enhanced by access to information from medical devices and retrospective electronic health record (EHR) data.

EHR integration of real-time data helps surgical providers give patients the top-quality care they seek. Clinicians can reduce unnecessary tasks, tests and procedures by accessing comprehensive, current patient data, which also enables better clinical decisions and health outcomes.

2.    Enable patient-entered digital data instead of paper templates

When patients are asked to fill out paper templates at the clinic, it not only takes time but also can result in errors. Patients can make mistakes or leave out critical information because they don’t have access to the details, and manual data entry into software is always prone to error.

When clinics can leverage digital patient-generated health data, they can save time during the patient’s appointment, increase data accuracy, empower the patient, and enable better patient care. For surgical staff, patient-generated health data improves care delivery by enabling them to easily access important information about a patient’s status. 

3.    Transition to digital patient intake

To streamline registration, clinics can employ digital check-in during the patient intake process. The result is rapid retrieval of completed patient forms, insurance verification, and surgical procedure consent forms. Digital check-in frees up front-office staff, and the surgical staff can view a complete and accurate medical history and medication status.

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) reports that digital check-in decreases patient intake time by 20 percent, reducing the burden on the front desk. Digital check-in also helps optimize patient scheduling, reduce waiting room time, and decrease errors during the registration process. The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) reports that “patient satisfaction often goes hand in hand with practice efficiency.” They discuss several key benefits to digital patient intake:

•   Reduced wait times helps mitigate the number of disruptive patients, a number that increased by 71% in 2021 according to an MGMA Stat poll.
•   When patients self-report from the comfort of home, it helps improve patient-reported outcomes (PROs). This includes important information such as social determinants of health and family history.
•   Payer information and financial responsibility can be identified and verified prior to clinic visits/procedures.
•   Patients spend less time at the clinic and benefit from self-service and convenience.

Because patient expectations have changed, with many aspects of life increasingly managed online, digital check-in meets their need for a consumer-like healthcare experience. In a poll conducted by Chief Healthcare Executive, 61% of poll respondents stated that they want the convenience of Uber or Amazon Prime from their healthcare providers.

4.    Engage with and educate patients using digital tools

Surgical specialty clinics can use digital tools to engage with patients beyond the clinic walls. This can help improve medication adherence and empower patients to monitor their own health. These tools also offer the opportunity to provide education to patients, including promotion of additional patient services that can be presented during the digital check-in workflow.

At Kyruus Health, our cloud-based, HIPAA-compliant patient engagement platform automates and integrates patient access to alleviate administrative bottlenecks, helping deliver a more consistent, tailored and enjoyable patient experience across all touchpoints.

Surgical specialty clinics today are under pressure given increasing demand with no end in sight, combined with a serious shortage of qualified surgeons, surgical nurses, and anesthesiologists. Strategies to leverage technology that ease the burden of clinic management while also providing patients with a streamlined experience can be of significant value.

Schedule a demo with us to learn more!

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