Electronic care planning refers to electronic patient care and all the ways technology can be used to enhance patients’ quality of life. It is a tool for providers to effectively communicate with their patients and offer instantaneous access to information. This method of communication allows for a significant reduction in the time it takes for providers to provide care, which is important when dealing with elderly patients, who typically require more time per visit.
Benefits
- Paperless
The patient’s medical record is updated in real-time and the doctor can refer to it when providing care. This process enables faster access to patients’ medical history, which can impact the doctor’s ability to provide quality care to their patients. One of the biggest benefits of electronic care planning is that information is easily secured, which means patients and physicians are less likely to be at risk for identity theft.
- Incentives for patients and providers
The patient needs to sign consent forms electronically before any care can be provided. This increases the likelihood of receiving care, as well as provides a deterrent against fraudsters who want to gain access to a patient’s medical records or credit card information. The durable medical equipment lawyer can help the patient to understand the rights and benefits of the consent form.
- Provide convenience for both parties
It is more convenient for both parties, as providers can review all of their patient’s information in a single location. It also eliminates multiple paper copies of files and reduces the time to access records. This makes care planning easy and efficient, but one should also be aware that care planning documents are not legally binding until signed by the patient or his/her legal guardian.
- Cost efficient
Electronic care planning is less expensive than traditional methods. Providers can access patients’ medical history instantly, which can significantly reduce the time spent obtaining that information. As a result, there are fewer transcription errors, and the number of pages required to print a patient’s records is greatly reduced.
- Specific information can be tailored for the patient based on their needs
Electronic care planning allows providers to tailor their patient’s care to specific issues. For example, a patient may not have any medical conditions that require close attention but may need guidance on daily living needs such as how to handle a financial situation. These guiding skills give patients, and their families, the ability to make better decisions, which leads to greater independence.
- Efficient use of time
Electronic care planning takes much less time than traditional methods of care. It is also easier for providers to access patients’ records because the consent process is completed electronically. Providers can make changes to patients’ information in real-time, which can significantly improve their patient’s quality of life.
- Easier to track and document the progress of patients
Electronic care planning generates a detailed record of patients’ progress throughout their care. The provider can easily follow up on specific comments made by the patient, which provides them with instant access to the information they need to keep their patients happy and healthy.
- Secure system
Electronic care planning allows for complete security of all medical records, which means there is less likelihood that sensitive information will be compromised as it is transferred from one computer to another. Care planning also allows for secure encryption of all healthcare records, which eliminates the possibility of unauthorized access to the information.
The benefits of electronic care planning are numerous and come with a variety of new technologies that can improve patients’ lives.