Each specialty comes with a distinctive set of challenges and, as a result, requires different software capabilities. So PYP is going to focus special attention on certain specialties by publishing a series of articles that zero in on the current state of each specialty and the functionality they demand from PM systems and EHRs.
In the fifth edition of our specialty snapshot series, we take a look at the field of cardiology.
The State of Cardiology
Cardiologists prevent, diagnose and manage conditions of the cardiovascular system.
Non-interventional cardiologists prevent and treat heart problems, but do not execute certain surgical procedures. Interventional cardiologists are trained to use catheters to perform advanced procedures like cardiac catheterization, balloon angioplasty, and stent placements.
While non-interventional cardiologists primarily work in office settings, seeing between 25 and 30 patients each day, interventional cardiologists are mainly hospital?based.
Larger group practices tend to have a mix of office-based providers and interventional cardiologists under one tax ID, so a PM system that is equipped to handle multiple providers is a must.
Two out of five cardiologists suffer from physician burnout brought about by increasing bureaucratic tasks, spending too many hours at work and the onset of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The good news is that cardiology is the second highest paying specialty, with cardiologists making an average of $357,000 in 2012. The typical office-based visit to a cardiologist costs more than twice that of a PCP visit.
Cardiologists have a largely negative view of the ACA. According to the Practice Profitability Index (PPI) study, 49% expect profitability to drop in the following year. Not to mention, the bulk of cardiology patients are 65 or older, so recent cuts to Medicare reimbursements for tests have had a damaging effect on cardiologists.
What Type of Functionality Do Cardiologists Need
Due to the frequency of care, cardiologists have a unique set of needs when it comes to the software they use to treat patients and manage their practice.
For example, ICD-10 integration is expected to be exceptionally difficult for specialty cardiologists. In addition to coding right and left side procedures, cardiologists will have to become extremely specific about their processes, e.g., specific vessels, type of flutter, etc.
These are highly complex processes, so cardiologists will need a PM system that is ready to handle the arrival of an estimated 60,000 new medical codes. In fact, cardiologists should consider outsourcing medical billing to an external agency in order to alleviate the burden of ICD-10.
Because almost 60% of cardiologists spend more than 10 hours a week on administrative tasks like paperwork, they should purchase PM systems that will streamline administrative duties.
When it comes to clinical encounters, though, cardiologists should seek EHRs with ECG device integration and DICOM imaging compatibility. Custom templates should also be designed to include tests like ECGs, echocardiograms, and stress tests.
A cardiologist’s EHR should provide ePrescribing capabilities with a focus on drug interactions, as older patients tend to need a variety of medications, which could have a harmful effect if taken together.
Because cardiologists receive the bulk of their patients from referrals, they should look for a system that’s adept at communicating with PCPs and other specialists.
If cardiologists keep these features in mind when shopping for medical software, they should be able to acquire a system that will facilitate their daily workflow and improve the level of care they provide.
