Hospitals and health systems worldwide have embraced the ability of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to facilitate services and drive operational efficiencies over the last year. These digital transformation efforts continue to be advantageous – and not just for these chaotic times of COVID-19. RPA technology has proven to be an enabler for people, with benefits extending well into the future requirements of healthcare operations.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the role of technology. The true test of this progress will be in how we resist the temptation to take our foot off the gas, and continue to drive improvements in the way care is connected, delivered, and received. Here’s a few of the ways automation in healthcare continues to reduce resource requirements:
Vaccine Rollout
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout process has been difficult. RPA has streamlined the end-to-end process by uncovering patient groups, verifying, registering, and scheduling appointments, reporting lot numbers of vaccines registered, and queueing up second dose follow-ups. RPA can even create an encounter for the second dose at a specified date and time. Hours of manual data manipulation, copy/paste/input are eliminated, freeing up the human staff. An RPA automation can run 24/7, with faster speed, greater accuracy, and no interference with daily workflows.
Faster Data to the EHR
RPA automation collects and organizes data across care settings, gathering information from various data silos and sending it to the EHR, eliminating the tedious, manual efforts of collecting and collating information from disparate systems. These efforts reduce physician frustration, thereby reducing the amount of resources required to gather, connect, and organize patient data. RPA “bots” ensure that healthcare systems and providers have all the authorizations necessary to treat patients, without encountering interruptions due to miscommunication or clerical errors.
Improved Reporting Metrics
A critical lack of alignment poses significant challenges in balancing the needs of public and population health. RPA allows providers to harness the data, deriving maximum value and meaningful results without spending an inordinate amount of time on the process. During the vaccine rollout, health systems have used RPA to report and share lab results, uncover patient lists, improve scheduling, and keep up with various state regulatory requirements, without the need for additional FTEs.
Revenue Cycle Optimization
Streamlining revenue cycle processes improves clean claim rates, reduces the days in A/R, and increases time to value. Brad Cox, Director of Patient Accounts at Northwestern Medicine states, “We were able to offset 17 FTEs worth of work on an annual basis, by implementing these automations. That did not mean reducing our workforce by 17 people, we were able to double in size during this time. This is by no means the entirety of the efficiencies we gained, but if I had not had these automations, I would have had to employ a manager, a team lead, a supervisor, desk space, computers, and associated equipment. Instead, we are able to do the work we needed to do and continue to grow.”
Why Boston Software Systems?
RPA automation is leading most CIO digital transformation plans, and it’s easy to see why. Boston WorkStation 20 makes it faster and easier than ever for users to significantly increase the speed and scale of their automation projects. Give us a call to discuss. We won’t take up much of your time and can get projects started quickly. Learn more about Boston WorkStation, and how it can power your future.