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1-Sep-2006
Louisville-Based Avantachart Capitalizing On Healthcare Trend
Prospect, KY (1 September 2006) – Whether your physician’s office has made the change already, is in the process, or is avoiding it altogether, electronic medical record (EMR) keeping is the wave of the future in healthcare, and one local company, AdvantaChart™ is taking advantage of this trend by customizing systems to fit the needs of medical offices around the country.

AdvantaChart founder and President, Joyce Crawley recognized the trend early on, and began development of a practice specific record keeping system in 2001. Crawley is an expert in software development with over 20 years experience including serving as NASA’s team leader for the compiler on the Space Shuttle, and project team leader on the Air Force F– 16 LANTIRN tracker. She is also a Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer and Trainer. While developing the AdvantaChart system, she researched and consulted with practicing physicians to make sure it would fulfill their needs and be easy to use on a daily basis.

“It was very much a joint effort, ” said Crawley. “ To make a useful system, we really needed to understand the processes and systems that are unique to the various medical specialties and how their offices function. ”

The result according to Crawley is a Windows– based, easy– to–use software system perfect for any OB/GYN office, either large or small. She says the system comes ready to use right out of the box with no additional programming or templates to complete. Physicians and their staff can begin inputting data immediately, said Crawley.

“Medical records are an essential part of our practice, yet dealing with them takes time away from patient care. And equally important is the need to document every interaction with a patient, ” said Dr. Monica Stone, Southern Women’s Care, Campbellsville, Kentucky. “When I speak with a patient from my home at seven at night, I might not even remember the call a week later. With AdvantaChart, I can enter a record right then. It’s easier than writing on a slip of paper, and a lot more permanent. ”

To date only 14 percent of medical offices around the country have made the transition to electronic records keeping, however that number is expected to increase dramatically over the next few years as the federal government pushes physicians to make the change.

President Bush’s 2004 Health Information Technology Plan would ensure that most Americans have electronic health records within the next ten years. According to Bush’s Whitehouse web site, “This initiative will help transform our health care system by lowering costs, reducing medical errors, and improving quality of care in a more efficient and hassle-free environment. The Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as some private health care systems, has already begun to demonstrate the power of health IT to reduce costs and errors and improve quality of care. ”

Part of the federal government’s push for all physicians to use EMR is to enhance the quality of patient care and reduce the number of medical errors, according to Kim Maddox, AdvantaChart Vice President. “Medicare is creating pay-for-performance measurements where an EMR can be used to satisfy their requirements,” said Maddox. “All physicians will need to use an EMR within a decade.”

For Dr. Lou Stahlnaker of Pensacola, Florida, AdvantaChart’s ability to accurately record medical coding is one of the main benefits he sees to the system. Accurately reporting to insurance companies or Medicare the first time ensures faster payment which is a real benefit to any practice.

Stahlnaker, a past president of the Florida OB/GYN Society, notes that the time saving benefits of the electronic medical record (AdvantaChart), are well recognized by the medical profession. “A bonus provided by AdvantaChart is the prompting by the program for 100% compliance with all the important billing criteria and accurate coding. This coupled with rapid access to diagnosis codes via the program makes for efficient and ‘audit safe’ patient record management. How can anyone practice without this benefit? ”

According to a recent study by Medical Records Institute, physicians and nurses overwhelmingly believe EMR systems improve the quality of care, improve efficiency, and improve patient safety by reducing medical error.

“Electronic medical record keeping is absolutely the future for healthcare, and though some are apprehensive, physicians are seeing this trend and the advantages it can provide in leveling the playing ground between themselves and payors. I think AdvantaChart is in an excellent position to make the most of this transformation in healthcare, ” said Maddox.

AdvantaChart, Inc. is a Louisville-based company specializing in electronic medical records application for physician practices. This easy to use, Windows-based system helps offices become more efficient while saving valuable time and money in the process. The mission of the company is to advocate for the needs of the small group practice by increasing efficiency, reducing error, and enhancing service in physician’s offices with the use of leading edge technology. For more information visit: www.advantachart.com