It has been said that information is the lifeblood of modern medicine. Information gives healthcare workers the ability to analyze and share information. The task of providing and managing care becomes more effective when this information is updated and available at the exact point of care: hospital, home, doctor’s office or at the scene of an emergency.

The primary driver of medicine’s ability to harness information rests in the development of healthcare information technology (HCIT). HCIT provides the healthcare industry significantly greater power with regard to its ability to access and analyze patient data in real time or near real time, provides the integration of caregivers across various disciplines in order to support clinical decision-making and manage the wealth of information collected.

Healthcare information technology (HCIT) offers solutions for almost all segments of the healthcare industry. The following represent some of the HCIT applications being used:

Clinical trails management system

Clinical decision support systems

Data mining systems for population health management

Hospital information systems

E-prescribing systems,

Care management systems

Patient management system

EMR, E HR, CPOE and physician practice management systems

Imaging applications such as like PACS and RIS used to manage images or patient scans.

Telemedicine and M Health Applications.

The most transformative HCIT applications are clinical and administrative information systems. These technology platforms enable clinicians to organize, process, store and share massive amounts of patient data into centralized network systems. From these systems, patient data can share and analyzed. Administrative information systems, also have streamlined cumbersome and inefficient practices of billing through the traditional paper method, by connecting into external networks to process claims and present billing.

Among clinical and administrative information technology, electronic health records (EHR) represents one of the most widely used HCIT applications. According to a recent report to Congress by the Department of Health and Human Service, "EHR adoption among hospitals and physicians, has grown substantially since the passage of HITECH. In 2013, 59 percent of hospitals and 48 percent of physicians had at least a basic EHR system, respective increases of 47 percentage points and 26 percentage points since 2009, the year the HITECH Act signed into law."[1]

A recent study in Health Affairs using 2012 NAMCS[2] data found "40 percent of U.S. office-based physicians had adopted a basic HER."[3] The study also concluded that levels of EHR adoption vary by practice setting. Primary care physicians were significantly more likely to have a basic EHR compared to specialist physicians (42.5% vs. 34.0%). Further practice size and ownership type created variance in EHR adoption. Only 25.6 percent of solo practitioners had a basic EHR compared to 57.7 percent of those in practices of 11 or more physicians.[4]

Moving beyond the technological innovations in the daily business of health care, the manner in which providers engage patients has also changed with technology. One notable innovation is found in the development of Telemedicine technology. Telemedicine refers to the use of telecommunications technology for medical diagnosis and patient care when the client and provider are separated. What these technologies have accomplished is to provide a greater scope of availability of services and in some limited circumstances eliminated the need to have a traditional brick and mortar infrastructures present in order to deliver health care.  Telemedicine as a segment of HCIT is anticipated to experience significant growth between now and 2018, according to a Parks Associates report. The research consultancy estimates that the number of households using Telemedicine consultations will grow from 900,000 in 2013 to 22.6 million in 2018 with revenue expected to jump from under $100 million in 2013 to $13.7 billion in 2018. At present, patients still overwhelmingly prefer face-to-face visits with clinicians to telephone or video consultations according to Parks Associates research.[5]

The Role of Technology in the Cost of Health Care Services

The question of whether or not technology can improve the delivery of health care and/or make it more efficient from a cost perspective remains dependent on the type of technology being employed. For example, innovations in technology used to improve treatment, unrelated to the management and delivery of services has been shown to produce benefits, which outweigh the costs considerably. Estimates show that $100,000 of investment in technological infrastructure can produce one additional year of high quality life for patients.[6] For the technologies mentioned above which related to the management and delivery of health care services it is estimated that the reduction in administrative costs, staffing hours related to the administration and the reduced costs and risks related to medical errors would greatly outweigh any investment in technology and would ultimately reduce costs. Early evidence suggests that use of health information technology (HIT) by healthcare providers may help improve disease management, care coordination, and health outcomes, especially for patients with one or more chronic illnesses. [7]

Although most evidence would generally indicate positive effects on in managing healthcare costs, engaging patients in their care; and collecting data, maximizing the use of home and lower-intensity care settings. Further gains have been seen in facilitating collaboration; improvements in communication and workflow; supporting case management and population-based care. In sum the transformative impact of HCIT has yet to be realized and in this stage of development it is difficult to accurately determine its potential ROI since the benefits from these advances are not easily monetized. However, most conclusions arrive at the fact that the effective delivery of healthcare will occur with a strong technological infrastructure.  

[1] http://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/rtc_adoption_and_exchange9302014.pdf

[2] http://www.rwjf.org/content/dam/farm/reports/reports/2013/rwjf406758

[3] http://www.rwjf.org/content/dam/farm/reports/reports/2013/rwjf406758

[4] http://www.rwjf.org/content/dam/farm/reports/reports/2013/rwjf406758

[5] http://journal.ahima.org/2014/04/30/telemedicine-set-for-a-boom-barriers-to-adoption-emerge/

[6] McClellan, M. B., & Kessler, D. P. (Eds.). (2002). Technological change in health care: a global analysis of heart attack. University of Michigan Press.

[7] http://www.hhs.gov/strategic-plan/goal1.html

“Crash,” “bug” and “data breach” are terms that keep computer professionals up at night. When used in the context of Health Information Technology (HIT), they are the stuff of nightmares for health care providers, users and consumers. For example, personally identifiable information can be compromised due to a software-related data breach or software failing to carry out a function.

In a society where we are extremely dependent on electronic information, it is important that software functions optimally. This does not imply that software will be 100 percent   infallible. It is a human creation and is prone to errors. These can be from design flaws and programming errors. The best one can hope for is that it is as functional as humanly possible. To reduce risks associated with bugs and errors, one can use software testing.

While recent increases in technology adoptions among health care providers is seen as a way to more efficiently manage and provide care, critics have echoed the sentiment that merely adopting HIT will not be a panacea for the industry. It is only through rigorously tested software that HIT can even begin to fulfill its promise. In a 2010 article published in the Journal of Medical Information Association, Karsh et al. make the case that the promise of HIT should be tempered with the reality that, like software in any other industry, HIT is subject to flaws that can severely affect service delivery. As such, rigorous software testing is an important component of developing and launching HIT software. Software testing provides a proactive measure to attempt to simulate real-world use and eliminate problems in performance before the product hits the market.

Given the importance of reliably performing HIT software, one must ask what does software-testing entail. In many ways, it is similar to the type of testing most other products undergo. To test a washing machine, a company runs the machine thousands of times, trying to mimic working conditions. If a flaw or weakness appears, engineers can make the necessary changes. For software, the same principles apply. Testers will place the software under conditions that simulate usage. Software testers evaluate software with the intent to determine if it accomplishes its specified requirements or not and to identify any missing components or errors that can compromise software functionality.

Software testing is a diverse practice that is subject to a variety of methodologies that can vary according to the type of software and the software’s ecosystem. For example, one cannot expect to test software for a mobile application in the same manner as software for a desktop application. These types of software run on different operating systems and operate under entirely different conditions. As such, software testing is not one-size fits all. Mobile apps should be tested under methods suited for the mobile environment and desktop software should be tested according to its intended environment. 

Across mobile and desktop software testing methodologies, three main areas of testing can be identified: performance testing, reliability testing and security testing.

Performance testing

Performance testing involves examining how software uses resources when operating and measuring response time. For example, one might want to know how quickly software loads and the amount of memory it uses. Performance testing would ideally be able to resolve slow-running software or software that requires excessive system memory while operating.

Reliability testing

Software reliability refers to the probability of failure-free operation. Simply put it is the chances the software will crash. When done correctly, this process tests two metrics - robustness and stress. The robustness of the software measures if it can function properly when multiple programs are operating simultaneously or when multiple users are using the software at the same time. Stress testing tests the whole system rather than just the software to see how it interacts with the system in which it will operate.

Security testing

Along when compared to software performance and reliability, for HIT, security is one of the vital tests to be conducted given the sensitive information transmitted by the software. Security tests can model and simulate malicious attacks aimed at compromising data security. Through models and simulations, vulnerabilities can be discovered in a controlled setting allowing programmers to correct these flaws without risking secured data.

HIT software like any other product is subject testing for quality and for the safety of its users, as software becomes more sophisticated and is required to carry out more important tasks, the quality of testing must also mirror the risks involved. With vigorous software testing, the promise of HIT can be realized without a costly trial and error process.

Telemedicine is one of the newest and upcoming industries in the health care market. Currently, there’s a sparking interest in telemedicine that is rooted on a projected demand in home health care.  By 2018, aging baby boomers will have an increased need for health care services, both in and out of the home.  Today, more than half of all U.S. hospitals are using some form of telemedicine, according to the American Telemedicine Association, the leading international resource and advocate promoting the use of advanced medical technologies.

Telemedicine is also one of the fastest growing areas of technology within the health care industry.  Referred to as telemedicine, mHealth and telehealth, those who are likely to gain financially from telemedicine will be IT providers, enterprise software developers, wireless data providers, affiliated hospitals, home health software agencies, home health agencies and home health clinicians.   

What is telemedicine?

Telemedicine is medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications in order to document, assess and monitor a patient’s clinical health status. It includes a growing variety of applications and services including two-way video, email, smart phones, wireless tools and other forms of telecommunications technologies.¹ Telemedicine allows for doctors, nurses and other health care professionals to visually see, monitor and treat patients in their homes from their office. With a laptop and Internet access, medical providers can connect with patients anywhere.

These new capabilities are currently playing a major role in the advancement of technology in home health care. Physicians now have the capability to care for numerous patients at once, without having to physically be present, and as a result, patients are being provided with a better quality of care.  One of the most popular methods for delivering telemedicine services includes PC-based webcams.

Remote health care

Telemedicine is working in a number of ways that are highly beneficial to the health care system. Prior to telemedicine, patients had limited ability to interact with physicians. Now with remote monitoring, patients can be monitored in their homes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  This becomes a more cost effective method of care.   

Telemedicine is also working in the manner of reducing medical errors by providing a real-time monitoring system and allowing physicians to interact one-on-one, at any given time, with their patients.

Key players

According to the American Telemedicine Association, there are currently three ‘ones to watch’  players in the telemedicine industry. These three key players are; Mercy, Oracle Corporation and Tuckson Health Connections.

Mercy Telehealth Services – has more than five years’ experience in the telehealth industry and is the largest telehealth provider in the United States. Their believe is that quality care should not depend upon one’s zip code and through their relationships is able to extend their services to people of all communities wherever and whenever needed.²

Oracle Corporation – has been the leader in database software for more than 35 years and is shifting the complexity from IT and moving it out of the enterprise by engineering hardware and software that work together.³  Recently, Oracle launched TECBRA Telehealth Solutions which allows users to share, manage and store complex imaging.

Tuckson Health Connections – is operated by Dr. Reed Tuckson, currently the Chief of Medical Affairs for United Health and formerly the Senior Vice President of the American Medical Association.  Dr. Tuckson is an advocate of telemedicine and its potential for improving quality of life. The company is focused on developing best health behaviors and sharing innovations.   

Gaining Ground

Geographically, the largest concern faced by telemedicine technology is a Medicare mandate that requires telehealth services to be provided outside of a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Subsequently, this mandate will not allow telemedicine practitioners to accomplish their goal of providing top quality healthcare to patients in all areas of the country.

In August, it was announced that four major wireless carriers in the U.S support ‘Text to 9-1-1,’ a program supported by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that promotes calling and texting to 9-1-1 for emergencies. Already two states, Vermont and Maine, accept text messages at emergency centers state wide. 

However, there’s more that needs to be done.  The American Telemedicine Association recently  recommended six ‘fixes’ to the Obama administration for improving health care delivery through the use of telemedicine. These six suggestions are as follows:

1. Mandate telehealth as a covered service under federal health benefit plans.
2. Clarify that Medicare “Physician Services” include proven telehealth services.
3. Improve the process for CMS to add telehealth services under Medicare.
4. Pilot telehealth service and payment models for Medicare and Medicaid patients.
5. Support telehealth projects in the administration’s budget proposals.
6. Increase federal coordination and impact on telemedicine.⁴

Future developments

The future looks bright for more developments in telemedicine -- many are currently the hottest new topics in healthcare IT.  It is projected that telemedicine will rule the health care industry and means of treating patients will become more easily accessible by all health care professionals.

Pilot programs, like The Medical Memory Video, are proving all types of telemedicine are beneficial.  In this program, patients at a neurological practice were given the option to video record pre-surgical consultations and follow ups in order to help patients remember what was said during visits. The consultations were recorded and uploaded to a secure website so afterwards patients could view at home. Over 90% of patients reported watching the video at least once and said the video was helpful.

Most recently, the Center for Information Technology Leadership has estimated that the telehealth industry could result in $4.28 billion annual savings for the United States health care system – if widely adopted. This annual savings could be highly beneficial to the health care market as it is in much need of financial relief.

Specific future developments in telemedicine include:

• Introduction of telehealth capabilities by leading electronic health record agencies.
• An increase in consumer demand for telehealth services.
• Potential for government increase in funding for telemedicine.
• Reduction in healthcare expenses and a lower cost for medical services. 

¹http://www.americantelemed.org/about-telemedicine/what-is-telemedicine#.VAXDa2OOopk

²  http://mercytelehealth.com/about/

³  http://www.oracle.com/us/corporate/oracle-fact-sheet-079219.pdf

⁴  http://www.americantelemed.org/docs/default-source/policy/six-immediate-actions-for-president-obamas-administration-for-telehealth.pdf?sfvrsn=16

Ranking among one of the largest industries in healthcare, the home health industry is one of the few seeing an increase in market value. With industry growth and a rise in Americans living longer with chronic, long term diseases like diabetes and heart disease and ‘aging in place,’ home health is poised for growth and new developments.  Here’s a look at some industry insights and predictions for the future.

Industry Insights

Companies within the home health industry provide a range of skilled nursing, physical therapy and other health care services to patients in their homes. In order to ensure that accounting/billing records are appropriately managed, data is correctly inputted and patient information is properly secured, most home health agencies rely upon a home health software program.  Currently, there are more than 1,000 home health software companies offering this e type of software.  Home health software is amongst one of the growing markets within the technology and home health industry.

Another important key factor to the home health industry is location. A majority of the upcoming companies are located in the southern portion of the United States. As boomers age and look to relocate during retirement, most look for warmer climates and reduced costs of living, making many southern U.S. states such as Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas are popular for again Americans.

New developments in software and technology

One of the largest influences within the home health industry, which also plays a major role in its development, is software technology. Home health agencies are increasingly looking for software providers that are partners in their business process. Software systems designed specifically with home health agencies in mind can be used as a reliable resource to help with their growing patient census.  Billing revenue cycle management, operations support, claims management in compliance with HIPAA laws/regulations and the ability to increase revenue/referrals are all services offered by best-in-class software. In addition, user-friendly software that’s scalable for growing home health agencies is important to support future growth.  

Recently, accessibility to home health software through portable devices like smart phones or tablets has emerged as the next technology wave in home health. Using mobile technology helps clinicians deliver better point of care and the agency against fraud. Using GPS, clinicians can navigate to a patient’s home, complete patient data and submit forms and capture signatures proving care was delivered, called Electronic Visit Verification or EVV. Not all home health software agencies offer mobile applications at this time; however, it is an important new development in home health that combines both mobile computing and software.

As of most recently, other important developments in home health software and technology include; EHR (Electronic Health Records), at-home monitoring, alarm integration and telemedicine. Each of these developments within the home health industry has made it easier for health care workers to treat patients remotely and perform their duties along with the ability to provide care for their patients faster yet accurately.

Predications for the future

As we approach the year 2020, more than 50 million Americans will be ages 65 or older – representing an estimated 17% of the entire population. This overall increase in age amongst the entire population will, as a result, cause an increase in demand for home health care.

Experts also predict that during this time the amount of active physicians and nurses will decrease – falling short for the demand created by this aging population by 5.5% and 36%, respectively. Therefore, not only will home health care be in high demand by, and perhaps before, the year 2020 but also doctors and nurses.

With an increased demand for home health care, nurses and doctors, the home health software industry is expected to see an increase in value from $3.4 Billion to $6.4 Billion (almost double) by the year 2018; with measures likely to gradually continue to increase.

This increase in value will occur throughout the entire home health industry as demand will be high with a predicted potential for supply will be low. 

Whether a home health agency is implementing new home health software or changing to a completely different system, the implementation process is critical. Starting off on the right foot is important to the overall success of any program.  Learning and understanding the system across all levels of the agency – from management to providers – is establishing a solid base of understanding agency-wide.

Because most home health software offers many functions at different levels across the organization, ensuring all personnel are involved in the transition is important.  The process can be made easier by following a few suggestions of things to avoid during the process, including; not announcing implementation, not including all agency stakeholders, not watching demonstrations or attending phone interviews, not ensuring all departments are satisfied with the software and not taking advantage of on-going support and training.

Offered below are detailed explanations as to why these five factors should be avoided when implementing new home health software:

1. Not announcing implementation – Not making an internal, agency-wide announcement regarding intending to install new home health software can be the first costly, big mistake. Make sure to let everyone at the agency know new software has been purchased and what the expected implementation dates are.  Remind employees again a few days before the official switch and then again on implementation day. Employees need ample time to prepare for the change in order to stay focused and productive, so warn all perspective users of any intended installations or changes in software in order for all users to be prepared in advance for training.

2. Not including all stakeholders – Everyone should be included in the change. Initial training should be offered to everyone, even if they’re not they’re not the intended users. A corporate stakeholder can affect or be affected by the actions of a business as a whole. All stakeholders within an organization need to be informed of any type of change in operations. 

3. Not watching demonstrations or attending phone interviews – Since most demonstrations take about 45 minutes, many agencies opt out of these trainings. It may seem as if it’s saving time, however in the long run it is not. A user from each department within a facility should spend the time required for watching demonstrations.  By having one individual from each department take part in demonstrations he or she can highlight the strengths and weaknesses the software would offer to their individual department.

4. Not ensuring all departments are satisfied with the software – What works well for one department, may not for another. Meaning the accounting department may find their area of the system to work perfectly whereas those in the medical coding department may find the software to be lacking.  To address this matter and to ensure that all areas within a facility are satisfied with the chosen program, it is suggested to conduct user surveys and report all findings back to the chosen home health software agency for review.

5. Not taking advantage of on-going support and training – Most home health software agencies offer free support and training. On an on-going basis, users can participate in demos, email or call for support help. Encourage each user to use these channels of support, particularly in the beginning when new users are learning. Remember that web-based software evolves continuously, so make sure all users understand where to look for information about enhancements within the software.

Avoiding these five commonly made mistakes when implementing new home health software will ensure the facility will not only have a professional and smooth transition but will also have the ability to maximizes its profitability and operate at its fullest potential.

What's one factor in home health software that helps one agency stand out above the rest?  Customer service.  Currently, there are more than one thousand home health software agencies on the market and in competition with one another; therefore, oftentimes an agency is willing to 'go above and beyond' to meet an agency's needs.

What makes excellent customer service?  An excellent customer service department should provide the following to its consumers; easy to reach – live agents, properly trained and knowledgeable representatives and a willingness to promptly solve any and all matters. Home health care there is a busy industry; there’s little to no time available for holding on the phone and/or waiting on a callback.  Home health software users will want to ensure that their chosen agency provides quick, yet productive, response times. 

With these factors in mind, and in order to decrease any hassles, offered below are the five home health software agencies ranked highest in customer service – including a brief description of each agency and a highlighting of their individual customer service strengths (data provided by Software Advice http://www.softwareadvice.com/home-health):

1. Axxess - AgencyCore

Rankest highest in customer service, the home health software offered by Axxess, AgencyCore, was introduced in 2011 and a convenient, easy-to-use mobile app launched in 2014. The Axxess mobile app is the only home health software app available on both Android and iOS devices.  Axxess is also the only home health software provider accredited by the ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association). In fact, many members of the Axxess customer support team are former home health care providers and registered nurses, making them knowledgeable and understanding of the home health industry. 

Axxess makes customer service their number one priority.  The customer service department within Axxess’ AgencyCore has a five-star ranking and consumers have offered the following feedback pertaining to their experiences; ‘eager to solve any issues’, ‘properly trained and knowledgeable representatives’, ‘friendly and enthusiastic conversation’ and ‘one-on-one, personalized consolations’.

2. Alora Healthcare Systems - Alora Home Health Software

Ranking second highest in customer service, Alora Healthcare Systems was introduced in 2005. With more than a dozen years in the industry, Alora Healthcare Systems is a well-trusted solution for home health software. More recently, Alora Healthcare Systems now allows access to their software via iPad, iPhone, Mac and Windows based computers.

The customer service department at Alora Healthcare Systems operates under the following motto: “Our customers are our number one priority.” Feedback offered by consumers pertaining to Alora Healthcare Systems’ customer service relations includes; ‘quick response time’, ‘willing to educate the user’, ‘friendly and knowledgeable representatives’ and ‘dedicated to going the “extra-mile.”’

3. AxisCare Homecare Management - AxisCare Total Homecare Management Software

The third highest ranking home health software agency in customer service, AxisCare Homecare Management is a part of the Health Axis Group.  Their web-based solution, AxisCare Total Homecare Management Software, is fully functional on smart phones/tablets and provides a full platform availability everywhere – however, no mobile version or apps.

Offering instant chatting capabilities via their website, AxisCare Homecare Management is dedicated to quick customer service response times. Feedback offered by consumers pertaining to AxisCare Homecare Management’s customer service department include; ‘friendly and more than willing to assist representatives’, ‘desire to promptly resolve any issues’, ‘offering of detailed explanations that are easy to understand’ and ‘highly attentive team of professionals.’

4. ClearCare - ClearCare Online

The fourth ranking agency in home health software customer service is ClearCare. ClearCare is headquartered in San Francisco, California and has a combined total experience of more than 100 years amongst its 10 senior developers. These 10 senior developers are alums of Yahoo!, Ancestry.com, ZocDoc, and other leading companies.

With more than one-thousand active clients, ClearCare is dedicated to leading the market in customer service. Feedback provided by ClearCare’s clients and pertaining to their customer service department include; ‘caring and experienced representatives’, ‘quick response/resolution times’, ‘willingness to guide and understand’ and ‘highly professional in conversation.’

5. Healthcare First - First Home Care

Ranking fifth amongst home health software customer service departments, Healthcare First provides service for more than 1,300 clients.  Healthcare First is a member of both the National Association of Home Care & Hospice and National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

Also offering instant online chatting capabilities, Healthcare First’s customer service department is dedicated to quickly answering questions and addressing concerns. Feedback provided by Healthcare First’s clients pertaining to their customer service department include; ‘readily available and highly responsive’, ‘professional and knowledgeable representatives’, ‘accurate and punctual conversation’ and ‘willingness to go above and beyond.’

Technology in home health care extends much farther than simply using GPS to navigate to the next assignment. Every aspect of home care can be made more efficient and accurate by utilizing proven and readily available technology. A large California home care company showed that tablets equipped with home health care software improved the accessibility of clinical information, reduced paper documentation and reduced average documentation time from 72 hours to 24 hours, and also reduced medical supplies by 20% (CHIME, 4/17/14).

Save Time and Reduce Errors

Imagine the typical day of a home health care provider. He or she arrives for the first time at a patient’s home to perform the intake assessment. The lengthy assessment is expected to take at least an hour, gathering information with the patient, with additional time to complete the plan of care. Typically this documentation is completed when the caregiver is at their own home, taking time away from their own families.

Consider the OASIS adult intake form, a 14-page document required for all adult patients utilizing Medicare. Errors or omitted information from this form can hurt reimbursement or result in a rejected claim. Home health software can ensure that the form is fully completed, as well as detect any errors and help resolve them. Additionally, repeated information like the patient’s name and social security number is automatically duplicated, leaving more time for patient care.

Easily Accessible Clinical Information

The home health provider completes the intake and care plan and then heads to the next visit. This visit is a follow-up, but it’s the first time this particular home care provider has visited the patient. Fortunately, the electronic medical record is accessible via their tablet or laptop, so they can review the patient’s medical history and all notes from previous visits. All essential information, test results, pharmacy phone numbers, and physician’s office notes are available and searchable with the appropriate software. Notes from the physician are available to the home care nurse, reducing the time on the phone waiting to copy down the the physician’s orders because they haven’t been faxed to the office yet.

Technology and Improved Job Satisfaction

Many home care providers can become overwhelmed with the extensive documentation, phone calls, and lack of continuity of care. With the institution of smart home health technology, a provider can complete their work more efficiently, improve their work-life balance and reduce stress about completed documentation.

Technology at the caregiver’s fingertips allows for seamless communication within the agency and with physicians, improving the patient’s experience. Integration of supply ordering within the home care software means the supplies will be there when the provider needs them and cutting costs for the agency. All aspects of the home health care provider’s day are more efficient, integrated and patient-care focused with the right technology in hand.

When illness or injury strikes, recuperating or receiving care in the comfortable environment of home is not only preferred, but statistically shows more rapid improvement and peace of mind for those who are closest to the one needing care. When someone close to you needs help with daily activities, his or her health needs to be monitored, or therapy after an illness or injury, you’ll probably be asking yourself these questions: How do I arrange for care at home? Exactly what care is needed? How do I know who will administer the best care? How can I make a decision about who to call or what my loved one needs?

There are many choices and different  routes to take. Simply starting the task may seem overwhelming and confusing. In order to begin the exploration process, make a list of what you think your loved one will need. Does he need help getting dressed, taking a bath, fixing meals or getting to a doctor appointment? Does she require more professional level nursing services such as dispensing medication, monitoring blood pressure, or administering physical therapy? Some agencies specialize in non-medical care and some have professional (skilled) care providers. Some do both.

Once you’ve identified and listed out your loved one’s needs, the next step is to identify who in your circle of care and friends might be a good starting point. For instance, you can ask for referrals from your loved one’s physician, or a family member or friend who has had direct experience with an agency. If your loved one has been hospitalized, you could ask a social worker or nurse at the hospital. Another good place to look is a search on the Internet within  your loved one’s location with terms like “home care” or “in-home care” or “home health care.” Some agencies provide care that is reimbursed by the government, either Medicare or Medicaid. If your loved one needs someone to pay for the care, then there are requirements and perhaps even a specific referral needed from his physician. 

Once you’ve identified the type of care needed, and who is going to be paying for that care, you can narrow the search to a few agencies for consideration. Here are some important questions to ask:

Services

• Service listing. Do they offer services specific to your loved one’s listed, required needs? Is someone available to provide information on all services, eligibility requirements and funding sources? Is that information available online or can they send it to you?
• Training and supervision. What formal training programs and certifications does the agency require of its direct care providers? What level of professional supervises the care? How often and how do the supervisors oversee the caregivers on location to ensure proper care is being provided?
• Documentation and coordination. Are visits and treatments documented? Do family members have easy access? Does the agency coordinate with the patient’s physician to provide a coordinated care plan?

Direct Care Providers

• Length of visits. How often does the care provider visit, and how long does she stay during each visit? Does the agency provide care on weekends and evenings? Does the visit allow for time to talk and get to know the patient?
• Rotation of care. Is care provided consistently by the same caregiver, or is care rotated among different people? If rotated, how often? Does the family receive advance notice when a change is being made?
• Accessibility. Do the agency office staff and the direct care provider stay in regular contact? Do they keep you informed of any changes in the patient’s health or plan of care?

Fees

• Funding and billing. Are services covered by Medicare or Medicaid? Do they supply written statements detailing costs? How often is the care invoiced, if there is payment due?
• Special fees. Are there fees for special or extended services? Who is responsible for them? Are payment plans available for any out-of-pocket services? Is there someone at the agency who can assist in exploring all options to pay for care?

Finally, remember the way an agency handles scheduling, recordkeeping, monitoring, and communication also says a lot, not only about their efficiency, but their dedication to patient interaction and quality of care provided. Agencies that embrace current technology work efficiently and seamlessly, often providing the best patient care. Axxess, a supporter of home health care, designs and implements software technology for home health agencies so that the care provider in the home can focus on the patient, not the paperwork. For more information, visit www.axxess.com.

Health care apps have become part of the modern healthcare technology environment and their popularity and ease of use is growing. Aside from providing remote functionality for health care providers, the agency itself benefits by being able to prove care through Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) and accurately documenting patient care.

There a n number of mobile apps are available in the home health care technology market.  While most apps are tied to software systems, some exist independently and are meant to be downloaded and used on a provider’s mobile phone for individual use. What criteria should be used when looking for in mobile home health care apps? Let’s take a look.

Searching for the Best Fit

The concept of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is quickly becoming the norm as more physicians, nurses and home health care providers are bringing their own devices, whether its smartphones, tablets or similar devices to work for use in their daily tasks. Since employees may be using a variety of devices with different operating platforms, the app needs to be compatible with both Google Android and Apple iOS platforms, and should be easily viewed on different sized screens. Transfer of information from one device to another, such as from a smartphone or tablet to a laptop or desktop computer, should be a simple undertaking.

Security and Compliance

Secure information in healthcare is paramount. Patient records are confidential and should only be accessible to individual patients and their healthcare providers. This issue is both a legal and an ethical one, and app providers must ensure that their products are compliant with current regulations. Mobile apps need to be able to provide proof of visits by home healthcare workers to their patients, and this is often done by capturing patients’ signatures at points of care. In addition, the app must have a provision for recording details of home health visits as well as relevant documentation and images, but all information needs to be guarded by password and encryption. Messaging through the apps must also be secure.  Any access to patient records needs to be HIPAA-compliant and any communication between a provider and agency or co-workers must be secure yet convenient – providers can communicate in real time with physicians and supervisors about patients.

Integrated Functionality

Mobile apps for home health care providers not only provide more streamlined patient visits but also facilitate:

• Scheduling visits and a calendar to plan the day
• GPS directions to a patient’s home
• Capture a patient’s signature at the time of the visit
• Secure messaging
• Access to a patient’s chart
• Enter clinical notes that are used for billing, claim processes and reports
• Ability to collect vital signs

What’s Available?

For the independent user, there are apps like Caregiver Log Mobile App and Home Health Care Activity Log.  For the agency user, Axxess recently launched their iOS and Android compatible home healthcare mobile app. The app is an extension of their Agencycore software and is available free from both Apple app stores and Google Play. CellTrak also offers a mobile app version of their web-based home health software.   

There are several hundred home health software programs on the market today. Knowing that your agency is choosing the right one can be difficult. Is your agency using the software that makes the most sense for an agency your size, for your clinicians and ultimately your patient base? If not, there is a solution. The one great benefit to using software is that it is never too late to change or switch home health software programs.

When shopping for home health software, many of companies are unwilling to release certain information, such as pricing, and require for the purchaser to schedule a 20 minute – one hour demonstration. In order to decrease the amount of time spent and eliminate the stress involved when trying to choose the right home health software, or evaluating the current software used, offered below are the following suggestions and guidelines:

Does the software meet the needs of the facility?

When purchasing or switching home health software programs, the most important factor is the ability of the software to meet the facility’s needs. For instance, is the software cloud-based, scalable and/or or reliable? Does the program offer technical support, ongoing training and/or consultation?

In order for the software to meet a facility’s needs it must also allow for the user to easily and quickly verify Medicare coverage and process insurance claims. For example, when verifying a patient’s insurance it usually necessary to go to a different site or resource. However, with the use of a home health software program verification occurs instantly through the entrance of minimal information.

Other factors to consider when determining if a home health software program meets the needs of a facility include:

• Accounting/billing functions
• Clinical completions
• Electronic claims
• Employee functions (payroll/scheduling)
• HIPPA compliance
• Human Resource functions (job applications)
• Medicaid/Private Duty
• Medication database
• Mobile device compatibility (cell phone/iPad/application)
• OASIS analysis
• Point of Care
• System upgrades/updates
• Telephony

Does the software make work flow faster?

The primary goal of any home health software program is to make the work flow faster. Duties such as processing insurance claims and creating patient/employee schedules should be done at ease. There are a number of home health software programs that show negative feedback in relation to processing and uploading times; some programs show signs of lagging within the system and/or reports of disappoint within customer service/technical support.

To ensure that the facility is using the appropriate home health software program, consider determining the amount of time it takes to process information using the program versus not using the program. It is also suggested to conduct research pertaining to the agency’s overall approval rating(s).

Does the software increase profitability?

Another main goal when using a home health software program is to increase profitability and patient referrals. The facility should ensure that the program is cost-effective and beneficial according to the number of users and patients within the facility; since these numbers a likely to vary from one facility to another. 

Many of home health software programs charge by the amount of users or patients while others charge per hourly usage. When choosing a home health software program, and wanting to ensure that profitably is increased, first determine whether it is best to pay per user, per patient or by hourly usage.

Is the software user friendly?

The best way to determine whether or not a facility’s software is user friendly is to ask and answer the following question: “Are all users within the facility understanding how to use the software?” This question can be asked individually to each of the facility’s users and the opportunity can be given to provide feedback on the friendliness of the system.

Once this feedback has been received, many of the home health software agencies are willing to accept, and actually listen to, the suggestions received from a facility’s users.

Was the software implemented properly?

The final guideline for using the right home health software program is ensuring that the system has been properly implemented. While working with an IT (Internet Technician) to install the program, be sure to have all questions answered and confirm that every aspect of the system is properly functioning.

During the process of implementing a home health software program, everyone in the office will be involved. Generally, one or two individuals from each department (accounting/billing/human resources/medical records) are trained on how to use the system. These one or two individuals will then set up a training meeting with each of their employees in order to train them on how to use the new software. During this time, users of the new software are provided the opportunity to ask questions and offer feedback/suggestions.

The user interface, the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, of the right home health software program should be easy to navigate and include icons and tabs that are properly positioned. The design of the program should also allow for the ease of navigation between pages, however, a number of programs have shown signs of lag time and systems errors. Other factors that cause an impact on the ease of navigation between pages includes installs, updates and/or backing up data.

One important feature offered by most home health software programs allows for only certain users to access certain information. For instance, the design of a home health software program has the ability to allow only the human resources department to access the records pertinent to their department and the same for other departments within in the facility (accounting/billing/human resources/medical records).

During the process of implementation, if an issue were to arise immediately contact the agency’s customer service and/or technical support department for resolution.