Case Study: Redding Allergy & Asthma Center

The Situation: Seeking an Integrated, Allergy-focused EHR and Practice Management Tool

Established in 2010 by Alan R. Redding, MD and David Redding, MD, Redding Allergy & Asthma Center in Atlanta is a busy allergy, asthma and immunology practice. Combined, they see over 2,500 patients as they work towards their mission of improving their patients’ quality of life and preventing allergic reactions.

The doctors know that having an efficient, well-run practice and being able to provide comprehensive clinical documentation is key to achieving their mission, so when they were looking to switch from their existing practice management (PM) and Electronic Health Records (EHR) system, they had specific pain-points they wanted to address.

For example, their existing system was not an integrated solution and that created multiple inefficiencies. When switching between the PM software and the EHR, staff had to reselect the patient - something that may not seem like a big deal, but when you’re seeing say, 50 patients a day, the time spent adds up. Additionally, Allergy shots and skin testing were not automated, so billing codes had to be posted manually. For a busy practice, this type of manual data entry cost them a lot of time and aggravation

Additionally, the practice wanted a product that could generate a professional note as quickly as possible. They also wanted to work with a software company that would understand, appreciate and, in the long run, support Allergy as a specialty in a way that some larger vendors were not doing.

The Solution: A Coordinated Data Conversion Results in Better Processes

In March 2011, Redding Allergy selected AllergyEHR as their EHR system because they felt it was truly designed to support allergy practices in every way. It was important to them that the entire patient record could be quickly and easily accessed by staff members in their roles as designated.

Improving the Bottom Line by Switching to an EHR Designed Specifically for Allergy

Challenge: Processes such as allergy shots and skin testing were not automated, so billing codes had to be posted manually. Solution: AllergyEHR’s award-winning solution for Practice Management and EHR, plus comprehensive Immunotherapy and Billing features provided Redding Allergy with the solutions they needed to save time and money.

Results: The practice’s revenue cycle is now much faster due to increased efficiency throughout the clinic. They are saving time in all facets of practice operations and are therefore able to see more patients and generate greater revenue.

Practice Name: Redding Allergy & Asthma CenterUsers: 7Specialty: Allergy and ImmunologyTime in practice: 3 yearsLocation: Atlanta, GA

Snap Shot: Allergy and Immunology practice needed an integrated solution that allowed seamless communication between the practice management system and the EMR.

Practice profile

Case Study: Redding Allergy & Asthma Center

Benefits experienced:

They appreciated the amount of flexibility within the visit note to quickly document a patient encounter based on the way each provider would want to document. The flexibility of the visit note to be completely templated, free-texted or a combination of the two was an important feature for the practice. While some systems only offer one method or the other, AllergyEHR offered them the best of both worlds.

As the practice worked through converting to AllergyEHR from their old system, the Meditab team was right there leading the project. They directly contacted the previous EHR vendor to coordinate the data conversion and took the lead with the entire process to ensure that things went smoothly with minimal disruption to normal business processes.

According to Redding Allergy’s staff, they were thrilled to transition to a new EHR system. They really appreciated the time that was dedicated to training - both online and on-site. The online training sessions were extremely beneficial - in fact, they were recorded for future reference in the event of staff turn-over or a need for “refresher” information as they went through the learning process. The staff also said that the on-site time with their dedicated project manager was invaluable and that they felt supported by Meditab throughout the process.

The Outcome: A Positive Impact on Finances, Staff and Processes

Since installing AllergyEHR, the practice’s revenue cycle is much improved due to increased efficiency throughout the clinic. Comparing the three months prior to using the system to the three months following implementation, the practice saw a 7% increase in revenue. One contributing factor to this change was moving the billing in-house from an outside billing company. By using AllergyEHR, Dr. Redding noticed a significant improvement in their collections to charges ratio, which helped to improve the bottom line.

Another factor in their revenue increase is directly related to the fact that they are able to see more patients and therefore, generate additional income. Dr. Alan Redding reports that he has been able to save five minutes per patient, during face-to-face exams and an additional five minutes by using the EHR to write his visit notes.

Customizable visit note templates let providers build their notes in the

way they want to have the data populated. With just a few clicks, a

comprehensive visit note is done!

Initial 7% increase in revenue after only 90 days on the system Scheduled more patients generating greater revenue

Saved 5 minutes per face-to face exam and an additional 5 minutes per visit note vs. paper

Saved 15-30 minutes using integrated billing from within the EHR Moved billing in-house and saw an improvement in collections / charge ratio

Case Study: Redding Allergy & Asthma Center

This practice discovered that the recording and billing of allergy shots and skin testing is much faster and easier than with their previous system. Dr. Redding reports that he is able to save 15-30 minutes each day by having the billing integrated within the EHR. Streamlined billing and coding means more accurate claim submissions and potentially less rejections.

The staff is excited about the new system, and report that many of their previous processes have been improved. There was a definite improvement in front desk efficiency as far as time to register a patient, as well as check in / check out.

E-prescribing has also made their lives easier. The team commented that it’s now quick and easy to write prescriptions for allergy shots. Having the electronic prescriptions helps the shot nurse when mixing the shots because it’s easy to read and understand the provider’s orders.

Additionally, thanks to AllergyEHR, the nurse and receptionist are now able to get more work done every day. A better utilization of their time means they’ve been able to schedule more patients and that means more revenue for the practice.

“I have been able to save five minutes per patient, during face-to-face exams and an additional five minutes by using the EHR to write my visit notes.”

Dr. Alan ReddingAllergist

Integrated charge posting makes billing and coding a snap!

Comprehensive vaccine prescriptions can be generated quickly within

AllergyEHR.

2233 Watt Ave. Suite 360,

Sacramento, CA. 95825

(510) 201-0130 | Fax: (510) 632-8021

www.meditab.com | info@meditab.com

About MeditabEstablished in 1998, Meditab Software Inc., developers of IMS (Intelligent Medical Software), o ers clinical automation systems that maximize productivity, advance patient care, manage utilization, and reduce costs. Meditab develops and supports a multi-award-winning, multicer ctronic Health Records (EHR) system that combines clinical charting, e-prescribing, population management, decision support, practice analytics, document imaging and much more, on a single database platform. The company takes tremendous pride in providing comprehensive, user-friendly, and a ordable solutions for each practice’s unique needs.Time tested and proven, IMS generates tangible returns for medical practices of all sizes. Headquartered in Oakland, Califor ross the globe, Meditab supports hundreds-of-thousands of users nationwide.

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Case Study: Redding Allergy & Asthma Center

Dr. Redding reports that even providers at referring physician practices have complimented them on the visit notes they’ve received through AllergyEHR, noting that other systems’ notes tend to be too long without much usable information. The concise inclusion of pertinent information in the AllergyEHR visit notes make them easy to read and understand.

Speaking of referrals, another key feature that this practice

marketing reports that allow them to track referrals over a period of time to see which providers are sending them the most referrals. This tool gives them valuable feedback on building existing referral relationships and nurturing new ones.

For Redding Allergy & Asthma, AllergyEHR has proved to be a reliable and extremely functional solution that has been an all-around success. Dr. Redding says the fact that AllergyEHR was

customizability of the skin testing module that lets you easily add or subtract antigens from skin testing and allergy shot mixing show that this software was truly designed with the specialty in-mind. That’s what he and his brother were looking for to help run and grow their practice...and that’s what they found with AllergyEHR from Meditab.