Regardless of your reason for changing your Pathology reporting software, you want your next choice to work well for you. To help, we’ve compiled a list of features that you should be looking for that will serve you well for years to come.
Mobility
One of the conveniences of having any type of medical software is being able to use it on a mobile tablet or other device. Your work requires you to be on the move frequently, so mobility is a must-have when it comes to the top features you should be looking for.
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Ease of Integration
There are many types of reporting software programs on the market today. However, not all of them work well with other electronic health record systems. It’s important to do your research before you make a decision because you want your newest software to be compatible with your EHR. If your new program is easy to integrate, that means the transition should be relatively seamless, which is what you’re looking for.
Automatic Updates
Perhaps in your previous reporting software you spent hours looking online to make sure you were meeting the newest reporting requirements set in place by the Commission on Cancer. You probably also spent a great deal of time researching the latest CAP checklists to ensure that you were consistently in compliance. The best Pathology reporting software should provide you with automatic updates so that these elements are never a concern for you. With updates coming through your system on a regular basis, you can spend more time improving the level of care your patients receive, and less time worrying about protocols.
Searchability
Searchability is also an important function for you as a Pathologist. One of your goals is to compile the appropriate patient information that you need to raise the standard of care you offer. However, if your reporting software doesn’t support a high level of searchability, you won’t be able to gather the data you need. An excellent search function that’s structured well will ensure that you are able to access the information you need quickly and efficiently.
Synoptic Reporting
During this last year, the Joint Commission put new standards into effect for accreditation. One of those standards was for Pathology labs to comply with utilizing a synoptic reporting system for creating reports. Synoptic reporting has been proven to be an excellent tool for Pathologists, as well as physicians in many other specialties. The use of a template system for inputting patient information means that reporting takes a fraction of the time that it once took with other, older methods.
With synoptic reporting, templates use the same set of terminology to describe various diagnoses. That means that the search function is vastly improved, cutting your search time down immensely.
In addition, synoptic reporting includes every other feature you need for excellent Pathology reporting. It’s clear that technology has come a long way in recent years, and current reporting methods offer you many good reasons to replace your old, outdated software. Once you do, you will find that not only will your job get much easier, but you will be responsible for improving the care your patients receive.