AMS Cardiology was dealing with inefficient paper charts and rising transcription costs of over $200,000 annually. They implemented Dragon Medical Practice Edition coupled with eClinicalWorks to create comprehensive real-time patient notes. This eliminated transcription costs, saving $160,000 annually while increasing documentation completeness and reducing denied claims. Physicians were initially hesitant but found Dragon easy to use, improving productivity and decision making.

1. DRA GO N MEDIC A L P RA C TICE EDITION
AMS CARDIOLOGY SAVES OVER
$200,000 ANNUALLY WHILE
INCREASING OVERALL SATISFACTION
“ ince we’ve adopted
S
Dragon Medical Practice Edition,
far fewer claims are denied before they
go out the door since the documentation
is more complete and comprehensive.”
— r. Andrew Fireman, Cardiologist,
D
AMS Cardiology
Abington, Pennsylvania
CHALLENGE
• eplace inefficient paper-based process
R
• liminate $200,000 annual transcription
E SUMMARY
expense AMS Cardiology’s (Abington, PA) 17 full-time
• reate comprehensive patient
C cardiologists serve thousands of patients
documentation annually with comprehensive cardiac care.
The practice was dealing with an abundance
of paper charts, circulated by courier among
their four offices. According to Office Manager
SOLUTION Barbara Thompson, the process left staff
• mplement Dragon® Medical Practice Edition
I constantly looking for charts. Furthermore, rising
with eClinicalWorks transcription costs were costing more than
$200,000 annually.
As the practice researched electronic health
records (EHRs), they realized ‘point and click’
RESULTS templates limited the information in the patient
• Complete, real-time patient notes record; physicians still needed to dictate portions
• aved $160,000 annually in transcription
S of their notes. Dragon Medical Practice Edition,
costs coupled with eClinicalWorks©, promised a way to
• Reduced office staff by 4-5 FTEs create comprehensive, real-time records.
• Reduced denied claims
• Obtained unparalleled confidence in coding
• Increased referring physician satisfaction
H E A LT H C A R E

2. DRA GO N MEDIC A L P RA C TICE EDITION
L-3490 5/12 DTM
IMPLEMENTATION HEALTHIER BOTTOM LINE
A phased rollout of eClinicalWorks and After implementing Dragon Medical Practice
Dragon Medical Practice Edition began with Edition, AMS Cardiology has eliminated nearly
a group of four technology-savvy physicians. all transcription expenses, saving over $160,000
Although some physicians initially resisted per year. The practice was able to reduce and
adopting the new workflow, within a few redistribute office head count by four to five
short months the entire practice was fully FTEs, for additional savings of hundreds of
implemented. thousands of dollars annually.
Dr. Bruce Berger, cardiologist, recalled the “We’re more productive economically with
ramp-up: “I was dragged kicking and screaming Dragon Medical Practice Edition; our coding
into using it, but I was trained after only one day. and billing is better,” Dr. Berger stated.
Today, I’m much happier than I expected. The comprehensive notes that result from
Overall productivity isn’t affected and I get coupling narrative with ‘point and click’ lead
a more complete note dictated now with to a confidence in coding at the maximum,
Dragon Medical Practice Edition.” appropriate level of billing.
Dr. Andrew Fireman, cardiologist, echoed those “Additionally, since we’ve adopted
remarks: “I was surprised by how easy learning Dragon Medical Practice Edition, far fewer
Dragon Medical Practice Edition was. You go claims are denied before they go out the door,
through the tutorials and start dictating; it was since the documentation is more complete and
just that easy.” comprehensive,” added Bonnie Mower, assistant
office manager.
IMPROVED DECISION-MAKING
Overall, Dragon Medical Practice Edition has
helped physicians at AMS Cardiology create ABOUT NUANCE HEALTHCARE
high-quality documentation that garners positive Nuance Healthcare, a division of Nuance
feedback from patients and referring physicians Communications, is the market leader in
alike. providing clinical understanding solutions that
accurately capture and transform the patient
“Since I can’t type, I use eClinicalWorks for a story into meaningful, actionable information.
lot of ‘point and click’,” Dr. Berger explained. These solutions are proven to increase clinician
“But for the subjective information, as well as satisfaction and HIT adoption, supporting
my conclusions and impressions, that’s where thousands of hospitals and providers to achieve
Dragon Medical Practice Edition shines. I would Meaningful Use of EHR systems and transform to
never go back to life pre-Dragon.” the accountable care model.
Currently, 16 physicians, two nurse To learn more about how Nuance Healthcare
practitioners, and two physician assistants use can help you improve financial performance,
Dragon Medical Practice Edition to complete raise the quality of care, and increase clinician
documentation within eClinicalWorks. satisfaction, please contact us at 866-748-9537
or visit www.nuance.com/healthcare.
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H E A LT H C A R E