Frequently Asked Questions
1. Exactly how does TouchChart save money for medical
offices?
2. Besides saving money, what makes TouchChart
superior to the hard-copy medical chart?
3. Is this electronic method faster?
4. What is the difference between TouchChart and
other scanning/organizing software options on the market?
5. What kind of information can be saved in the
TouchChart patient chart?
6. What about the possibility of lost records? What
happens when the system crashes or a similar accident arises?
7. Since some information in a patient's chart may be
confidential, what steps has Allscripts taken to allow only the correct people
to view certain information?
8. Will medical offices using TouchChart experience
any kinds of compatibility problems?
9. Will a user be able to import a Lotus or Excel
document into the chart?
10. How does TouchChart utilize voice recognition
technology?
11. Will TouchChart force physicians to change the
way they currently practice?
12. What about security for my documents?
13. What if we have multiple offices?
14. Do I have to buy new imaging software if my
practice grows?
Q1. Exactly how does TouchChart save money for
medical offices?
In most practices, an increase in medical staff automatically implies higher
overhead costs because of the need for hiring additional medical
transcriptionist personnel. By automating large areas of the record-keeping
process, TouchChart gives medical practices the power to grow the business
without growing the administrative support staff.
In a typical medical office, TouchChart could support the addition of three
doctors without adding a single transcriptionist; saving the practice over
$30,000 annually. For many customers, the first-year cost savings alone easily
justifies the price of implementing TouchChart.
Q2. Besides saving money, what makes TouchChart
superior to the hard-copy medical chart?
Two things: First, TouchChart re-creates the traditional medical chart folder in
an electronic, 'virtual' form, only more organized and much easier to handle.
Instead of thumbing through stacks of paper trying to find a certain piece of
data, TouchChart allows the user to quickly click through the patient's history
for the desired information.
Second, the traditional medical folder has a tendency to get misplaced. With
several different people all looking for the same file that may or may not be
somewhere in the office, efficiency is hindered and less work gets done.
TouchChart can be used to find, research, or change any patient's chart from
one or multiple PC stations in an office. There's even an option that allows
remote access to data -- for example by a doctor working from home.
Q3. Is this electronic method faster?
TouchChart's speed is perhaps its finest feature. By dramatically slashing the
staff time necessary to transcribe, file and manage charts, the office frees up
large blocks of time for other responsibilities -- like seeing more patients.
By eliminating the entire manual filing process all together, a proficient
transcriptionist can double or triple the amount of information processed in a
normal day.
Q4. What is the difference between TouchChart
and other scanning/organizing software options on the market?
TouchChart is the only scanning repository software specially designed for the
medical community. There are also many general imaging solutions available, but
they cost anywhere from $80,000 to $100,000. The customizations necessary for
the medical field may cost an additional $20,000 to $30,000. With those prices,
imaging solutions are out of reach for the typical medical practice.
By contrast, TouchChart is a highly affordable, industry-specific alternative.
By combining the attributes of high-end general imaging solutions with the
benefits of an EHR system, we have created a scanning solution in a class all
its own. .
Q5. What kind of information can be saved in
the TouchChart patient chart?
Virtually anything. The electronic chart is designed to allow the user to
include a wide range of materials -- including all related paperwork, x-rays,
photos, insurance cards, even journal and periodical articles or research
information. Not only is this data securely archived; it is also accessible to
all appropriate personnel.
Q6. What about the possibility of lost records?
What happens when the system crashes or a similar accident arises?
Our most important objective is to ensure that vital patient data will always
remain safe, intact and accessible. We have gone to great lengths to ensure
that the information stored in TouchChart remains as secure and accessible as
possible. The software includes back-up and optional solutions to further
safeguard data.
Q7. Since some information in a patient's chart
may be confidential, what steps has Allscripts taken to allow only the correct
people to view certain information?
We are very aware of the importance and privacy of a patient's chart and we have
designed a system that allows every folder in a chart to be 'protected' through
the use of a required password or other authorization before it can be
accessed. These 'rights-protected' documents are easily definable and will
remain inaccessible to unauthorized users. For example, clerical staff members
can still get information they need for their specific tasks, but the rest of
the chart can be closed to them.
TouchChart also permits patient information to be blanked out or have specific
pages made 'unavailable' before sharing a chart with another person. The
physician has full control over what can be seen in the patient's chart, and
can 'turn on or off' certain portions of the information.
Q8. Will medical offices using TouchChart
experience any kinds of compatibility problems?
TouchChart is uniquely compatible to almost everything, including many Practice
Management systems. We have written the software in such a way that not only is
the information in TouchChart more manageable and efficient, it can also be
imported to other software applications. Users are not chained to the system
and always retain the rights and ability to utilize their information
elsewhere.
We should also stress the non-proprietary nature of TouchChart in relation to
its compatibility. TouchChart is based on Microsoft SQL database software
(which is very stable and widely used). Users do not need a TouchChart-specific
technician to save or rebuild their data in case of a dramatic problem.
Virtually any SQL programmer can almost always retrieve patient data.
Q9. Will a user be able to import a Lotus or
Excel document into the chart?
Yes. In fact, Microsoft products, WordPerfect and Lotus products can all be
launched from within TouchChart. This eliminates the need to switch from
application to application to get the correct information into the chart. In
addition, any word processing, or spreadsheet documents created are
automatically saved in their proper place in the patient's chart; saving
additional time and keeping things perfectly organized.
Q10. How does TouchChart utilize voice
recognition technology?
We have clients presently using the award-winning Dragon Voice Recognition
System with excellent results. With this option, a physician can speak directly
into the TouchChart file or into a tape recorder (the transcriptionist can
later play it back for text translation into the patient's file). The added
value of the voice recognition is quite obvious and will enable any user to
quickly and simply enter information into a patient's chart.
Q11. Will TouchChart force physicians to
change the way they currently practice?
No. TouchChart is so versatile that physicians will actually be able to choose
how much, or how little of our program they wish to implement. We provide ways
to supply just the documents that they choose and still increase office
efficiency and reduce costs.
Q12. What about security for my documents?
TouchChart offers three levels of security for your documents, including Windows
security. Our system is completely HIPAA compliant.
Q13. What if we have multiple offices?
TouchChart offers remote viewing of charts. With the proper security, on-call
physicians can even view charts at home.
Q14. Do I have to buy new imaging software if
my practice grows?
No. TouchChart is a fully scaleable imaging package. It can accommodate the
needs of any size practice ranging from one provider to an entire network of
providers.