Integrating Wound Photos

Functionality improves patient care and clinician productivity

Twin Tier Home Health, a division of United Health Services, strives to provide exceptional service to its patients. The organization also strives to improve productivity and patient outcomes through technology. The agency's wound care processes previously included providing each clinician with a digital camera and memory sticks. As wound care was provided, clinicians took pictures and delivered the memory stick to the office. An administrative assistant loaded the photos onto a shared drive and printed copies. The clinician verified the hard copy before the photos were filed in the patient chart. The process was cumbersome and time consuming.

Creating a Better Way
At the same time Thornberry Ltd, creator of NDoc home health software, was rapidly developing the final components necessary for a true electronic medical record designed specifically for home care and hospice. The concept of integrating wound photos into NDoc was of intriguing to both organizations.

Today, the process is automated - saving both time and mileage. Clinicians take the photo, upload it to their laptop and import into NDoc. The photos automatically transmit during laptop synchronization, allowing system-wide access to those with appropriate security clearance. The images are attached to the patient record where they can easily be located by the agency's wound specialist. The photos also improve communication with the physician as they can be sent for physician review.

Twin Tier's processes include a pilot program before any technology is introduced. This provides obvious benefits - learning how to successfully train staff, working out any issues with a small group of users and allowing the pilot group to "sell" the new technology to the rest of the team. According to Cindy Trait, information systems coordinator at Twin Tier, pilot groups always are comprised of:

• A technically-savvy individual who can be a positive influence to the others
• A computer laggard who can demonstrate how those less technical will be able to learn and adapt to the technology
• An individual whose job will be significantly impacted by the new technology, allowing the opportunity to provide feedback and adjust the implementation

Benefits
With the integration of wound photos, Twin Tier experienced an increase in productivity for both administrative assistants and clinicians. The administrative staff is no longer involved in the wound photo process. Clinicians are not required to make an otherwise unnecessary trip to the office - increasing the field time that can be focused on direct patient care. Integrated wound photos make the process automated and paperless.

"This is truly a win-win-win situation. The patient receives better care. The clinician no longer has to run a fool's errand bringing the memory stick to the office. And the agency benefits from improved productivity and reduced mileage," said Trait, at Twin Tier.

To learn more about this innovative solution or Thornberry's EMR for home care and hospice, call 717.283.0980 or email.

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