WO1999035550A2 - Systeme informatique pour l'automatisation de procedures administratives dans un cabinet medical - Google Patents

Systeme informatique pour l'automatisation de procedures administratives dans un cabinet medical Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999035550A2
WO1999035550A2 PCT/US1999/000520 US9900520W WO9935550A2 WO 1999035550 A2 WO1999035550 A2 WO 1999035550A2 US 9900520 W US9900520 W US 9900520W WO 9935550 A2 WO9935550 A2 WO 9935550A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
computer
reports
office
information
database
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1999/000520
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English (en)
Other versions
WO1999035550A3 (fr
Inventor
Geoffrey M. Miller
Original Assignee
Millermed Software, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Millermed Software, Inc. filed Critical Millermed Software, Inc.
Priority to AU21105/99A priority Critical patent/AU2110599A/en
Publication of WO1999035550A2 publication Critical patent/WO1999035550A2/fr
Publication of WO1999035550A3 publication Critical patent/WO1999035550A3/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
    • G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
    • G16H40/00—ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices
    • G16H40/20—ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
    • G16H—HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
    • G16H15/00—ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed generally to the field of office automation, and in particular to a computer-based system for automating administrative procedures in a medical office.
  • various administrative procedures that would otherwise require substantial manpower to complete are instead performed by an integrated computer system that performs those administrative procedures in an efficient, cost- effective manner.
  • substantially less manpower is required to run a medical office, thereby reducing overhead costs.
  • the present invention is directed to a computer-based system for automating administrative procedures in a medical office.
  • a system includes a control module in communication with an administrator module and a tape management module, as well as a database accessible by the administrator module and the tape management module.
  • the tape management module can advantageously be configured, for example, to manage outsourcing of tape transcription.
  • a provider module is configured, for example, to generate reports directed to the needs of service providers (e.g., daily task lists, workload reports, chart locations, tape transcription status, record review status, etc.) as opposed to administrative staff, thus enabling the system to be geared towards the providers themselves in a way not typically found in existing medical office software.
  • a computer- implemented method for automating administrative procedures in a medical office includes the steps of maintaining a database including provider information, patient information, and document management information; using the database to automatically generate management reports identifying tasks to be performed on a given day; automatically generating reports associated with the tasks to be performed, populating the reports with information from the database as appropriate; and supporting off-site performance of one or more administrative tasks, including managing electronic information exchanges with off-site service providers.
  • a computer-implemented subscription service for automating administrative procedures in a medical office.
  • one or more medical offices are provided with an office automation system including a communications interface for receiving data electronically.
  • a service center receives a request for office administration services from such a medical office, processes the request, and electronically transmits information relating to the processed request to the office automation system at the requesting medical office. Services that can be provided in this manner include, for example, tape transcription, chart preparation, record review, report generation, and forms generation.
  • embodiments of the present invention enable providers of medical services to streamline administrative operations in a way not possible with prior medical software applications, allowing for significant reductions in overhead attributable to administrative staffing requirements.
  • Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a computer-based system for automating administrative procedures in a medical office in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention wherein a system such as that shown in Fig. 1 is in communication with a remote transcription service.
  • Fig. 3 is a block diagram providing a detailed view of a control module of a computer-based system for automating administrative procedures in a medical office in accordance with, for example, the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention wherein a system such as that shown in Fig. 1 is in communication with a remote transcription service and a plurality of remote personal computers.
  • Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention wherein a plurality of client computers configured with computer-based systems for automating administrative procedures in a medical office in accordance with, for example, the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, are in communication with a server computer.
  • Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention wherein a plurality of computers configured with computer-based systems for automating administrative procedures in a medical office in accordance with, for example, the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, are in communication with a subscription service center.
  • the present invention is directed generally to computer-based systems for automating administrative procedures in a medical office.
  • various administrative procedures that would otherwise require substantial manpower to complete are instead performed by an integrated computer system that performs those administrative procedures in an efficient, cost-effective manner.
  • substantially less manpower is required to run a medical office, thereby reducing overhead costs.
  • systems configured in accordance with the present invention enable providers and/or office administrators to become more independent from support staff than is possible in a typical medical office.
  • a office automation system 10 for automating administrative procedures in a medical office includes a control module 12 in communication with an administrator module 14 and a tape management module 16.
  • office automation system 10 has access to a database 18.
  • control module 12, administrator module 14 and tape management module 16 comprise software modules coded in, for example, the C++ programming language. Alternatively, suitable code can be readily generated using a facility such as Visual FoxPro®.
  • Fig. 1 is the MillerMed UtilitiesTM application available from MillerMed Software, Inc. of Bonsall, California.
  • the MillerMed UtilitiesTM application is described further in MillerMed Utilities: The Antidote for an Organization, User Manual for Windows95 (MillerMed Software, Inc. 1998), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • Database 18 can reside on the same computer as control module 12, administrator module 14 and tape management module 16, or database 18 can alternatively reside on a separate computer (e.g., a database server). Where database 18 is remote from the other components of office automation system 10, it may be beneficial for performance reasons to provide a local data store for temporary storage of information read from, or to be written to, database 18. Likewise, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, administrator module 14 and tape management module 16 access database 18 through control module 12. Alternatively, administrator module 14 and/or tape management module 16 can be given direct access to database 18.
  • Office automation system 10 can be implemented on virtually any type of general purpose personal computer (PC) having adequate processing power.
  • PC personal computer
  • One suitable hardware configuration includes a Pentium®-class or comparable IBM- compatible PC having at least 16 megabytes of RAM (random access memory).
  • the PC should have a Super VGA video card and a sound card.
  • the PC should include a modem and/or a network interface for communicating with other computers.
  • the PC should be coupled, either directly or indirectly, to at least one printer for report generation.
  • a laser printer or high- quality ink jet printer e.g., for printing medical forms
  • a dot matrix printer e.g., for printing triplicate forms
  • control module 12, administrator module 14, and tape management module 16 each reside on the same computer.
  • office automation system 10 can be installed on an applications server in communication with a plurality of client computers over a local area network (LAN).
  • client computers can be used by a variety of office personnel, such as service providers (e.g., doctors, nurses) and administrative personnel, to access system functions.
  • database 18 can reside on a central server computer accessible by a plurality of different office automation systems 10 in remote locations. This type of arrangement is especially useful where a medical practice has a number of branch offices, thus allowing patient and administrative information to be economically shared by all of the different offices.
  • Fig. 1 is preferably implemented to maximize the use of features and capabilities provided by existing off-the-shelf software applications.
  • administrator module 14 can interface with known word processing applications, such as Microsoft Word® or Corel WordPerfect®.
  • Database 18 can be implemented using known database applications, such as Microsoft Excel®, and can be formatted to be compatible with existing medical applications such as Medical Manager® and Physicians Office Computer®. Alternatively, a suite of such applications, such as Microsoft Office®, may be used.
  • Other off-the-shelf applications that can be advantageously integrated with embodiments of the present invention include an event scheduler, a desktop-emulation package (e.g., PC Anywhere®, Carbon Copy®), Internet connectivity and browser software, and utility packages such as Norton Utilities®.
  • office automation system 10 is electronically linked to a transcription service 30 by a communications link 32.
  • This embodiment thus facilitates the outsourcing of tape transcription, enabling a service provider to either reallocate staff to other tasks or reduce the size of the staff (thereby reducing overhead).
  • office automation system 10 includes a communications interface (not shown) for electronically exchanging data with transcription service 30.
  • the communications interface can be implemented as customized software included in, for example, control module 12 of office automation system 10.
  • the communications interface can be implemented using an off-the-shelf communications package, including but not limited to an e-mail application. In short, any application that permits files to be exchanged between two computers is suitable.
  • communications link 32 can be virtually any type of communications medium, including a dial-up connection over telephone lines, a satellite connection, a wireless connection, part of a dedicated computer network
  • communications link 32 comprises an Internet connection.
  • Office automation system 10 can also be configured to facilitate outsourcing of medical records review in much the same way as outsourcing of tape transcription. For example, rather than managing the exchange of information with transcription service 30, office automation system 10 can manage the exchange of information
  • a given service provider would typically make a number of dictation tapes during the course of a day reflecting, for example, services provided and/or entries to be made in patient charts.
  • such tapes presented significant logistical, administrative, and staffing challenges.
  • Various office personnel would be responsible for collecting the dictation tapes, transcribing them or assigning others to transcribe them, distributing the tapes back to the service provider for proofing, and then updating patients' charts with the transcribed reports.
  • a medical office in which one or more service providers generate a number of dication tapes in any given day.
  • the providers give tapes to a designated staff member for logging and outsourcing.
  • the staff member would input to office automation system 10 information such as the provider's name, the date the tape was made, the patient(s) to whom the tape relates. This information is used to build a table entry that will eventually be stored in database 18.
  • the staff member would then select an off-site transcriptionist to transcribe the tape. Such selection is preferably done by choosing one of a number of possible transcriptionists presented to the staff member on a display screen.
  • tape management module 16 Upon selection of a transcriptionist, tape management module 16 adds to the aforementioned table entry information identifying the selected transcriptionist. Tape management module 16 can also be configured to automatically print a shipping label for each copy of each report sent to the transcriptionist. Once all identifying information is input, the table entry is stored in database 18. At the end of the day, tapes ready for transcription are shipped to transcription service 30 using, for example, an overnight courier service. Upon completion of transcription, transcription service 30 transmits a file containing the transcribed report back to office automation system 10 over communications link 32. Tape management module 16 will update database 18 appropriately to reflect receipt of the transcription, and the transcribed report can be distributed electronically to the provider or other staff member for review. All such processing can be performed automatically in a background mode, as is known in the art, without requiring any staff interaction.
  • Embodiments of the present invention can be advantageously used to departmentalize the administrative functions of a medical office, significantly altering the approach typically taken to medical office administration. Many traditionally necessary interactions between office personnel can be reduced or eliminated entirely by relegating tasks to intelligent software to the maximum extent possible.
  • office automation system 10 is configured to establish a plurality of "virtual departments," each of which is directed to managing and/or performing different administrative functions.
  • control module 12 of office automation system 10 coordinates the operations of a collection of "tracker" modules aimed at minimizing communication and document handling requirements for the office, thereby reducing personnel needs.
  • control module 12 is coupled to a tape tracker 40, a report tracker 42, a management tracker 44, a database tracker 46, a provider tracker 48, and an administrator tracker 50. Examples of the types of functions performed by each tracker module are presented below.
  • the various tracker modules shown in Fig. 3 can be configured, for example, as substantially independent routines operating under the supervision of control module 12, and capable of sharing data with one another through, for example, access to database 18 or a local data store.
  • the tracker modules can be configured in a master-slave relationship under close control by control module 12, operating only when expressly invoked by control module 12 and returning control to control module 12 upon completion of processing.
  • Persons skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of implementations are possible, and the present invention is not limited to any particular control configuration.
  • tape tracker 40 is configured to provide a comprehensive transcription management system.
  • Tape tracker 40 provides facilities for tracking and/or reporting information relating to tapes (e.g., physical location, status), transcriptionists (e.g., name and address, number and identity of tapes assigned, current workload), record reviewers (e.g., records assigned, age of assigned records, review status), and documents (e.g., charts, invoices, shipping information), all with minimal user input.
  • tape tracker 40 includes a facility for automatically assigning tapes to transcriptionists based upon, for example, workload information maintained in database 18.
  • database 18 may include a transcriptionist table containing records for each of a plurality of transcriptionists, whether on-site or off-site. For each such transcriptionist, database 18 would include information relating to the identity and address of the transcriptionist, as well as the number of tapes currently assigned to the transcriptionist. Thus, upon being advised of a new tape to be transcribed, tape tracker 40 can identify the transcriptionist with the lightest current workload and automatically assign the new tape to that transcriptionist. Other information, such as average turnaround time, can be used to further refine the assignment of new tapes.
  • Report tracker 42 is configured to provide comprehensive report generation and distribution facilities, aimed at reducing the extent of user input required for these tasks.
  • report tracker 42 uses information in database 18 to automatically insert patient registration data on all reports relating to a given patient, filling in headings, captions, and carbon copy entries on all reports.
  • report tracker 42 uses customizable templates built, for example, using standard macro features provided by most popular word processing applications (e.g., Microsoft Word®), to reduce the amount of effort required to complete reports.
  • macros can be used to establish setup forms that enable users to easily customize report headings and establish standard text entries (i.e., boilerplate) for each provider.
  • customized letterhead for each branch office of a multi-branch practice can be readily provided, as well as automatically-inserted signatures for each provider.
  • Report tracker 42 also provides the ability to streamline report distribution. In a typical office environment, reports must be reviewed and signed by a provider, and often must also be reviewed by an editor for quality control purposes, leading to a situation in which large numbers of physical documents are constantly being passed around the office. To alleviate the logistical and administrative problems inherent in such an approach, report tracker module 42 can be configured to distribute reports electronically whenever possible. For example, providers can choose to have final versions of reports electronically copied to a personal directory accessible through office automation system 10 for review, or can select a designated editor to receive signed reports and review them, again by copying the report to the editor's personal directory.
  • such personal directories may reside on a server computer accessible by the provider and/or editor, or on some other computer capable of communicating with the computer running office automation system 10 (e.g., an office PC capable of accessing office automation system 10 over a LAN, a home PC capable of exchanging files with office automation system 10 using e-mail).
  • office automation system 10 e.g., an office PC capable of accessing office automation system 10 over a LAN, a home PC capable of exchanging files with office automation system 10 using e-mail.
  • Report tracker 42 also permits reports to be routed to designated printers on demand (e.g., by copying a file containing the report to a print directory). Indeed, persons familiar with medical office administration will appreciate that report tracker 42 allows many types of reports to be processed without ever being handled by a provider. For example, office notes, follow-ups, and other simple reports can be automatically sent by report tracker 42 directly to a printer.
  • Report tracker 42 can also be configured to automatically create a wide variety of standard forms, such as those associated with workers' compensation claims (e.g., notification forms, QME Summary). Such forms can be generated in batch jobs run during off-hours using information stored in database 18, and the generated reports can then be copied to appropriate directories for access when the office reopens. In certain cases, forms can be generated without any staff interaction at all based only on the registration type of each new patient. Again, such forms can be made easily customizable through the use of word processor macros.
  • standard forms such as those associated with workers' compensation claims (e.g., notification forms, QME Summary).
  • Such forms can be generated in batch jobs run during off-hours using information stored in database 18, and the generated reports can then be copied to appropriate directories for access when the office reopens. In certain cases, forms can be generated without any staff interaction at all based only on the registration type of each new patient. Again, such forms can be made easily customizable through the use of word processor macros.
  • management tracker 44 is configured to provide statistical information relating to office management for use in identifying potential problems and further streamlining operations. For example, to address the logistical problems typically associated with tracking patient charts, management tracker 44 automatically generates a daily report showing the number of charts assigned to each department in the medical office. This report can include further detailed information, setting forth the identity of each chart and its "age" (i.e., how long the chart has been in a given department). By simply consulting this report at the beginning of each day, an office administrator can ascertain a workload status for each department without ever consulting another employee.
  • management tracker 44 can be configured to automatically generate and print a variety of other daily reports, including listings of past, present and future appointments; charts requiring specific action (e.g., needing a pain drawing); and identification of no-show patients with contact name and phone number.
  • Other possible reports include database maintenance listings identifying, for example, duplicate entries and other errors; and database/file archiving information (e.g., identifying tape backups generated during overnight processing).
  • Management tracker 44 preferably maintains a table identifying all periodic reports to be generated automatically, and such table can be readily updated by the office administrator. Programming techniques and tools for implementing this type of automatic report generation are well known in the art.
  • database tracker 46 is configured to automatically perform a variety of database maintenance activities, most or all of which preferably occur at night when the medical office is closed to avoid competition for precious computer resources. For example, records can be automatically archived after a predetermined period of inactivity (e.g., 30 days), and such archived records can be automatically removed from any and all directories to which copies had been transferred. Database tracker 46 can also be configured to automatically send e-mail notifications of required actions (e.g., report review) to appropriate personnel based upon information in the database records (e.g., age of record, status).
  • required actions e.g., report review
  • Database tracker 46 is also responsible for constantly tracking the flow of files into and out of the office, automatically adding new clients to database 18 and automatically finding and inserting data for future patients into appropriate records. Thus, very little data entry is required after the initial input of registration information for a new patient.
  • database tracker 46 can be configured to maintain updatable tables of information relating to employees, providers, report types, and other data for use in populating display screens with the latest available information.
  • Provider tracker 48 is configured to give providers access to a variety of information and facilities aimed at reducing overhead requirements and improving efficiency with respect to administrative tasks. For example, provider tracker 48 can provide a report of all currently outstanding dictations. Similarly, provider tracker 48 can give the provider access to a report of all outstanding reports, and can prioritize such reports by their respective ages. The provider thus knows how much work needs to be done, as well as what should be done first, without having to contact a staff member. In this embodiment, provider tracker 48 also provides the ability to transfer files to a diskette or to a remote computer (e.g., a home PC), and automatically distributes reports received from report tracker 42 to the appropriate provider's personal directory. Provider tracker 48 can also be configured to maintain information in database 18 relating to provider workload, thus enabling the office administrator to assess current workloads when determining to whom to assign new work (e.g., new managed care patients).
  • Administrator tracker 50 is configured to provide users with access to a variety of information typically required by an office administrator to perform his or her duties. For example, administrator module 52 provides instant access to management reports for each department in the medical office; reports of on-site and/or off-site data availability; instant access to provider workload, tape status, and chart location information. By maintaining all of the underlying information for such reports in database 18, administrator tracker 50 enables the office administrator to acquire an array of necessary information without the need for interactions with other office staff members. To further reduce unnecessary employee contacts, administrator tracker 50 can be configured to maintain an administrator mailbox for receiving e-mail copies of pertinent communications sent by other employees.
  • office automation system 10 is accessible by remote PCs 60 over second communications links 62, thereby enabling providers or other office personnel to access system functions from locations other than the office (e.g., home).
  • Second communications links 62 comprise, for example, dial-up connections, but the present invention is not limited to any particular communication means.
  • Remote PCs 60 may be loaded with special software to support particular functions of office automation system 10. Alternatively, remote PCs 60 need only be capable of receiving files from and transmitting files to office automation system 10.
  • user interfaces can be constructed in menu form, and users can be given access to help screens, audio cues, tutorials, video demonstrations, and so on using standard facilities.
  • timers can be incorporated into menus where some user selection is required. In the event no selection is made within a predetermined period of time, such as ten seconds, the program driving the menu can automatically choose the selection that would most commonly be correct in a given situation. In this way, even users with little or no system knowledge are able to benefit from the system.
  • each user screen can be configured to display a bitmap image of the user associated with the logonid used to access the system.
  • his picture would appear, for example, in the upper-left hand corner of at least one open window at all times.
  • This feature allows anyone in the area of the user to ensure that the person logged on is in fact the owner of the logonid used. Implementation of this feature is readily accomplished by storing a picture of each authorized user in respective bitmap files. When a user logs on, the logonid is used to retrieve the associated bitmap file, and the stored picture is displayed on the screen.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention directed to a network environment.
  • database 18 resides on a server computer 80 accessible by a plurality of client computers 82.
  • Each client computer 82 is loaded with an instance of office automation system 10 configured, for example, as in the embodiment of Fig. 1.
  • database 18 does not reside on the same computer as office automation system 10.
  • Such an arrangement is especially useful where, for example, a practice has a number of different branches at which the same patients may be seen, since the shared use of database 18 eliminates the need to maintain duplicate data at each of the multiple locations. For performance reasons, a copy of selected records from database 18 can be cached in local memories (not shown) of client computers 82.
  • Updates in progress can be made to the cached record and then copied to database 18 upon completion.
  • client computer 82 can be configured to determine whether such a locally cached record has been updated on database 18 and, if so, to automatically replace the cached version with a copy of the updated version.
  • an office automation system 10 such as that shown in Fig. 1, is provided as part of a subscription service, thereby offering a variety of off-site services to providers in remote locations. In accordance with such an arrangement, services can be paid for as they are used.
  • each of a plurality of subscriber computers 92 are in communication with a subscription service center 90.
  • subscription service center 90 comprises an office location and a server computer (not shown) accessible over the Internet.
  • Each subscriber computer 92 has loaded thereon office automation system 10 configured, for example, like the embodiment of Fig. 1.
  • each subscriber computer 92 could actually comprise a server maintained by a particular practice group, to which are connected a number of individual computers used by providers, administrators, and other personnel.
  • a number of different types of services can be offered on a subscription basis, including but not limited to tape transcription, record review, and chart preparation.
  • all of the necessary tracking and reporting associated with these services can also be provided.
  • the level of service provided is fully customizable to the needs of any particular subscriber. For example, a provider can simply dictate a tape during an office hours session and send it to subscriber service center 90 (e.g., by overnight delivery service). Subscriber service center 90 would then arrange for transcription (either on-site or using an off-site vendor), print the report and make all copies, mail and/or e-mail the reports and copies back to the subscriber, and update the subscriber's database 18 to document progress. In a particular implementation, subscriber service center 90 periodically updates database 18 with the progress of the requested service, thereby enabling the subscriber to use office automation system 10 to access status information. Once the file containing the transcription is transmitted or otherwise loaded into database 18, the subscriber can view, print, or edit the transcription using the above-described facilities of office automation system 10.
  • transcription files can be sent by diskette or electronically to subscriber service center 90, after which subscriber service center 90 can print and mail reports and update the subscriber's database 18 as just described.
  • subscriber service center 90 can receive the transcription files, process them, and transmit files containing the desired reports to office automation system 10 for automatic printing on the subscriber's printer.
  • subscriber service center 90 can receive transcription files from the transcriptionist either electronically or on diskette. As before, such files can then be processed and reports either printed and shipped by subscriber service center 90, or transmitted to the subscriber computer 92 for printing. In either case, chart copies are shipped to the subscriber.
  • Subscriber service center 90 can also provide record review services, performing quality control checks on transcribed dictations and/or on records and reports generated from transcription files. Likewise, subscriber service center 90 can prepare charts. For example, a complete set of history forms, status forms, and fee tickets for an entire office session of patients, complete with patient information imprinted, can be delivered directly to any subscriber office location.
  • Subscriber service center 90 can also provide special services to subscribers on demand, such as binding, preparation of slides, and preparation of other presentation materials for lectures, academic conferences, and so on. Facilities built into office automation system 10 for exchanging files with subscriber service center 90 can readily be used for forwarding the underlying information to subscriber service center 90 along with appropriate instructions. By providing for Internet access and/or direct modem connections, subscriber service center 90 can offer maximum flexibility to providers who are traveling. Any subscriber can then access subscriber service center 90 from a remote location to gain access to their particular practice's data, retrieve reports, or drop off work. Subscriber service center 90 can also provide data archiving services, freeing up resources on the subscriber's system that might otherwise have to be dedicated to storing outdated records.
  • Access to archived records can then be provided on-demand by subscriber service center 90.
  • subscriber service center 90 It should be emphasized that the foregoing subscription services are described by way of example only. Persons in the medical field will recognize that many other services, both administrative and otherwise, can be provided on a subscription basis using arrangements such as that shown in Fig. 6.
  • Office automation systems configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can be distributed, for example, as a set of instructions residing on a storage medium.
  • a storage medium might be a portable storage device, such as a diskette or a CD-ROM; a memory of a computer; a piece of firmware; or any other medium on which it is known to store executable instructions.
  • the foregoing is a detailed description of particular embodiments of the present invention. The invention embraces all alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the letter and spirit of the claims, as well as all equivalents of the claimed subject matter. Persons skilled in the art will recognize from the foregoing description that many other alternatives, modifications and variations are also possible

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  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
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Abstract

L'invention concerne un système informatique pour l'automatisation de procédures administratives dans un cabinet médical. Ledit système comporte un module de commande communiquant avec un moduleadministrateur et un module de gestion de bandes, ainsi qu'une base de données accessible par le module administrateur et le module de gestion de bandes. Ledit module de gestion de bande peut être configuré avantageusement, par exemple, de sorte qu'il gère l'externalisation de la transcription de bandes.
PCT/US1999/000520 1998-01-09 1999-01-08 Systeme informatique pour l'automatisation de procedures administratives dans un cabinet medical WO1999035550A2 (fr)

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AU21105/99A AU2110599A (en) 1998-01-09 1999-01-08 Computer-based system for automating administrative procedures in a medical office

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US7088498P 1998-01-09 1998-01-09
US60/070,884 1998-01-09

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WO1999035550A3 WO1999035550A3 (fr) 2000-03-09

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WO1999035550A3 (fr) 2000-03-09

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