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Reconstructive Hand Surgeons of Indiana

Practice Profile

Reconstructive Hand Surgeons of Indiana
Using ChartLogic EMR since March 2004
4 Physicians
1 Location
10 Workstations
Practice founded in 2000
100% of notes completed with ChartLogic Precision Voice inside of weeks
"Turned it on and instantly started electronically charting patient notes."

Looking For An EMR

When Reconstructive Hand Surgeons of Indiana recognized the need to implement Electronic Medical Records (EMR), they wanted a solution that would be best for a small hand surgery practice poised for growth and with a goal of keeping overhead at a modest level. At the same time, Reconstructive Hand was moving offices and thought it was the ideal time to transition into both digital imaging and EMR. Researching for an EMR revealed that many models were largely point-and-click, template programs that did not allow a lot of flexibility as to the way individual physicians wanted to enter data. The physicians concluded that many of the EMR companies had origins in practice management software with EMR as a side product. "Frankly, their products failed to recognize the rather complex and diverse needs of surgeons," said Dr. James W. Strickland, founder of Reconstructive Hand Surgeons of Indiana. The practice felt differently when they learned about ChartLogic® EMR. They found the product offered a wide flexibility of features in the software and an emphasis on orthopaedic surgery, including subspecialties such as hand surgery. "It was the most pure EMR we had seen without question," Dr. Strickland said. "ChartLogic also had the finest voice-recognition module, which was integrated in the EMR, so that voice could be incorporated in the record at any point in time without the need to cut and paste.".

Immediate Benefits

ChartLogic EMR was implemented in February, 2004. The practice realized "enormous" benefits immediately and recouped its investment in ChartLogic EMR within two years. When ChartLogic EMR was first implemented, the practice had one full- and two part-time hand surgeons, with an estimated cost of $40,000 a year for transcription services. After ChartLogic EMR was implemented the practice has no transcription costs and now with three full-time hand surgeons, the transcription savings is about $60,000 annually. Additionally, the quality of the records being generated is superior to previous records written by hand. "The referral letter was the best record I had on a patient but now the initial evaluation of my patients is the best record and replaces the need to write a referral letter," Dr. Strickland explained. "Many referring physicians say the records forwarded to them are the most comprehensive records they receive." Cost and time savings for finding charts have also been realized at Reconstructive Hand Surgeons. By removing the paper charts, space was freed up for other things in the office, which were once filled by filing cabinets.

Superior patient education and exceptional team service

Offering high-quality patient education is a top priority for the orthopaedic physicians of Reconstructive Hand Surgeons of Indiana. ChartLogic's suite of text, video and 3D digital patient education modules was key in the practice's decision to implement the EMR. This feature lets patients view educational movies directly from the computer screen in the exam room and allows the physician to leave. The videos explain orthopaedic conditions with comprehensive yet easy-to-understand language and illustrations. The physicians also appreciate the ability to generate brochures that can be customized and printed for patients in the clinic to be taken home. "ChartLogic modes of education are superior to what was used before, including drawing on our hands and using anatomical bone models," Dr. Strickland said. The practice also commends ChartLogic on its outstanding training and service. Dr. Strickland and his colleagues receive immediate response with any type of problem. "ChartLogic has the capability of remotely working with our system to capture the screen and functions of the software and make corrections so that we can carry on without any or with minimal interruption."

"The implementation of ChartLogic into our practice has increased the quality and accessibility of our patient medical records, while at the same time eliminated transcription and other overhead costs."

Dr. James W. Strickland