As per research by Gartner, in the next 3-5 years, the amount of medical data that will be created globally will increase by more than a third, totaling approximately 44 zettabytes of data. But what does that mean for the solo and small firms handling medical records every day? Simply put, medical record retrieval can be a complicated process, especially when firms aren’t fully equipped for it. In this blog, we’re discussing the difficulties faced by small firms and how they can be solved effectively to improve turnaround time, save costs, and provide more benefits in the long run.
Why is Medical Record Retrieval Difficult for Solo and Small Firms Today?
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How are Call Centers More Than Just Phones?
Many factors make it difficult for most law firms to retrieve medical records in a timely and efficient manner. Several small companies have a shortage of workers and even a smaller amount of time. Every hospital has its own unique processes and rules when it comes to recordkeeping, and they don’t have the capacity to maintain track of record custodians every day. Interacting with clients or sitting in the courtroom are more vital jobs for them to handle.
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Compliance with Regulations
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) must also be taken into consideration. There are numerous hurdles that must be jumped through in order to gain access to medical data under this federal privacy statute, and attorneys of small firms and their teams frequently lack the resources to do so quickly.
Understanding how these issues can harm your organization and taking steps to prevent them are two very different things. However well-versed you and your employees may be on the consequences; you may not have the necessary hardware and software expertise to prevent critical mishaps.
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Retrieval Time
For the majority of lawyers in small firms, retrieval time is of the utmost importance. Even if electronic health record systems (EHRs) have helped to slow things down a bit, the true problem is with the way patients are monitored after they leave the hospital.
Expertise in data recovery is unrivaled among medical record retrieval firms because they deal with it every day. However, the actual value comes from the relationships and networks they build with a wide range of service providers and record custodians. There is a larger opportunity to learn about various systems, programs, or software as well as to create useful partnerships that expedite the follow-up process.
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Record Storage
The healthcare industry is still stuck in the old times. In many healthcare facilities, records are kept in filing cabinets and boxes hidden in basements and off-site facilities, making record retrieval difficult and time-consuming, especially when there is a short time frame and not enough resources to complete the process.
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Understandability
It is not unusual for different EHS vendors or providers to employ different software, programs, and medical record portals. As a result, a single provider may use a variety of programs for their patients. Staff members in the legal profession face a constant barrage of new systems to master.
Those tasked with making requests by the legal team must be familiar with the resources available to them (ortho, cardio-oncology, etc.) as well as the tools they utilize. Even without a specific team, this can be extremely time-consuming and complex. When it comes to medical data, attorneys are sometimes left in the dark due to a lack of experience. It’s only one of the numerous issues that small firms have to deal with.
Why Should You Outsource Medical Record Retrieval Service As A Small Firm?
You’re a busy solo or a small firm lawyer. You know the law and the rules, but you don’t have time for the back-office hassle that comes with medical data retrieval and research. Good news! You don’t have to. Medical records retrieval is a specialized service. And today, it’s being done better than ever. Many businesses are turning to ITCube, an expert medical records retrieval service provider, to help them comply with HIPAA requirements while still providing their customers with the high level of service they expect. There are numerous advantages to using a medical records retrieval service, including lower costs, less liability, and a sense of security.
Retrieval of medical records has evolved significantly since its infancy. Some providers only offer basic, limited services, while others offer services that are on par with what a large medical center might offer. The best thing is that a small business may now be run on a budget without compromising on the level of service it provides to customers. Small businesses can afford everything from medical records retrieval software to industry-leading equipment for reading and storing medical pictures.
ITCube is a team of experts in the field of medical records retrieval, and they have been working with several clients to ensure that they only receive the best. Reach out to us to know more about our services.