The healthcare industry continues to transition, consolidating to fewer hospitals, practices, and laboratory service providers. The medical field also faces dwindling numbers of medical practitioners who are retiring to join the largest aging population in U.S. health care history, the Baby Boomers. The U.S. health care industry will continue to undergo change. With the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and more recently the 2010 passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, medical facilities continue to fill their waiting rooms with patients seeking care.
A Level Playing Field
Medical laboratories have also been impacted as workloads continue to keep pace with the growing demand for routine laboratory tests. These facilities are traditionally part of hospitals, commercial labs, pathology offices and smaller regionally based independent laboratories. Thanks to continual advancements in the medical field, doctors are relying more on lab tests and routine screenings for all types of preventive examinations. Laboratory testing can be very expensive, and health providers are looking for ways to manage their costs. The good news is that technology has kept pace.
There are companies that provide laboratory information system products and software solutions that can handle massive amounts of patient data, seamless integration between administrative functions, physicians, and medical equipment. Even better news, the technology has leveled the playing field between larger companies and the regional independent laboratories.
Software That is HIPAA Compliant
Laboratory Information Systems Software (LIMS Software) provides a platform for seamless automation applications between a lab’s static database files (insurance companies, diagnosis codes, doctor files) and its patient records to generate all types of output reports. LIMS Software also provides large modules that handle computer interfaces with medical instruments, other labs, and emergency medical records. Some examples of the types of output reports that are generated include:
- Patient Reports
- Billing Files
- Test Results
- Scheduling
- Claim Statements
- Accounts Receivables
- Quality Control
Time Management 101
Doctors and medical staff can log in remotely to their laboratory’s website and view patient schedules, lab results and even lab orders. LIMS Software provides real-time access to improve doctor/patient interactions, timely test retrieval, insurance claims processing and other billing. Consider simplifying your BIG data and select a software platform that provides customization, seamless interface and is scalable. Managing patient data, test results, and important billing processes are effortless thanks to advanced software development companies. Compare companies’ pricing and consider a provider that offers ongoing technical support. Be sure to purchase software that is HIPAA and CMS compliant. Upgrading to an LIMS software platform should not cost you an arm and a leg.