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Assessments
Q. How can assessments realistically
save me time?
The assessments that we offer generally are self-administered
by the patient and automatically scored, producing the results
in seconds. They involve no more staff time than handing a survey
unit to a patient, docking it when it is returned, and putting
the report in the patient’s chart.
Depending on the assessment used, a complete work up on the patient
can be summarized and trended, highlighting the key areas of concern.
This could save easily 5 minutes of interview time per visit.
If a provider does 20 – 30 visits in a day, the range of
time savings is 1.6 to 2.5 hours per day
Q. How many patients really
need assessment services?
Depending on what you include in the Electronic Patient Interview
(pre or post visit), it can be beneficial to assess every patient at every
encounter (Patient Tools basic service includes unlimited
processing). This way
you can summarize and compare results over time to measure the effectiveness
of treatments & programs. When deeper issues are uncovered (approximately
10 – 15%) of the time, in-depth condition-specific assessments
should also be used.
Q. Can I use my own assessments?
What makes information valuable for population management and
outcomes is the ability to compare, which requires standardized
data. We can implement your own assessments for you, but it is highly
recommended and more cost-effective to configure mainstream assessments
to fit your needs.
Q. Why use an Electronic
Patient Interview?
Using logic to drive the assessment process effectively turns a
static questionnaire into an interview. Logic can be used to
implement protocols (specific combinations of information at
specific time intervals) as well as automatically administer
condition-specific assessments when a general assessment reveals a
specific co-morbid or underlying issue. For
instance, the How’s Your Health survey may reveal that a
patients shows signs of depression and the system can
automatically administer a more in-depth assessment such as the
QPD or PHQ to find out the level of depression and the details
behind it.
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Hardware
Q. Why do you recommend a survey
unit tablet?
Patient Tools supports many different types of devices for patient
input and each has its advantages and disadvantages. Generally,
when clients consider all the cost, spatial factors, battery
life and lack of "street value" (there is no reason to
steal them),
they find survey units to be the best option.
Survey units are designed to look and function much like a banking
ATM machine. They are the least intimidating of the devices available.
Being a portable tablet, they function better than kiosk PCs,
overcoming the space, queuing, and privacy problems. Using a docking
station and IR communication, they are more secure than wireless
web tablets or tablet PCs. Because no one wants to actually touch
the fingerprint smear from the previous user of touch screens
on PCs, tablets or Pocket PCs, a stylus is required, which typically
gets lost.
Q. Can we use different hardware/input
devices than you have listed?
Due to HIPAA concerns, each device offered by Patient Tools has
integrated security measures. Without the drivers for these security
measures, other devices simply can not communicate with the Patient
Tool servers. Patient Tools is continually developing new technologies,
so we are happy to discuss integrating your specialized hardware
needs.
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Security
Q. How do you provide HIPAA
compliance?
Beyond the typical measures of user name and password authentication
using 128-bit encrypted communications (similar to online banking),
Patient Tools implements two significant additional measures.
First, we “de-identify” all data by storing all Protected
Health Information (PHI) inside the client’s firewall, creating
a patient code for any data that goes to the Patient Tools’
servers. Second, integrated security for all access to the Patient
Tools’ servers uses device-specific signatures to lock any
account to one known valid location. Attempts to login from any
other location is automatically rejected. These two additional
measures provide a superior level of security for all Patient
Tools’ clients.
Q. Why does information
have to reside on Patient Tool’s server?
In order to trend, aggregate, and access information from multiple
locations, the information has to be centrally located. Patient
Tools securely handles this centralized data in its data center,
enabling these types of reporting functions to be performed.
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Training
Q. What types of training are
available?
Patient Tools has extensive debug & support capabilities
incorporated in its system so typically all installation and
training is handled by phone or Webex. Training usually
revolves around three areas:
- Generally we work with IT (or someone in the office that can
install software) to get each location setup.
- Then there is usually a client point-of-contact that we
train to operate the system, login to look up reports/do
reprints or look at aggregate data in dashboard reports.
We can help with staff in-service training as well, but
generally the point-of-contact handles this.
- Finally, for in-depth assessments, such as the QPD or BBHI2,
we can setup sessions were your providers can be trained by
the authors of the assessment to get the most out of the
information reported.
Enterprise
Q. We want to view our data
from different locations. Is this possible?
Because your data is centralized in Patient Tools’ data
center, with proper permissions and security, you can view
your data from any location with internet access and our secure
software installed.
Q. Does the PTI data merge
into our system that currently collects all of our EMRs for patients
nationwide?
Because interfacing to the different EMR systems available is
not straight forward, some customization is usually required to
push data into a local EMR, or alternately pull pertinent data
from the EMR.
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Reports
Q. Can I
create my own individual patient reports?
Individual patient reports are setup in a configurable format that
mirrors the Electronic Patient Interview. Generally we can
produce an individual patient report that meets your needs,
configured for any specific location.
Q. Can I create my own aggregate
reports?
The ability to configure your own aggregate “dashboard”
reports is one of the key services provided by Patient Tools.
Standard templates can be imported and easily modified to execute
statistical analysis and display the results in tabular and/or
graphical form. The data definitions are automatic and you can
look at your data in real time.
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Billing
Q. Can I get reimbursed for
administration of assessments?
While the primary reason to use Patient Tools is to save time
(dollars) while getting more in-depth information, you can potentially
get reimbursed for administering assessments as well. Assessments
provide a higher level of documentation, which can enable you
to code at a higher level.
Additionally, many assessments can be treated as reimbursable
tests. Primarily assessments with a psychological component can
often be reimbursed under CPT 96101. You will need to verify when
this is appropriate as this type of reimbursement varies from payer
to payer and region to region.
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