MediServe News

12.12.05

Vanderbilt Featured in ADVANCE for MediLinks Project

In the recent article "Information Systems Powers Therapy" published by ADVANCE for Health Information Executives, Cathy Lackey, Clinical Coordinator of Rehabilitation Services for Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee credits MediLinks®, the flagship product of MediServe Information Systems, as having "demonstrated tangible financial impact to the organization and streamlined manual processes".

Ms. Lackey discusses how MediLinks contributed to a 72% reduction in manual handoffs that could contribute to the entry of errors into the process after automation was introduced, a reduction in process steps from 35 to 14. An estimated 100% return on investment for the entire inpatient and an outpatient project was realized within 18 months following implementation without including the value of productivity gains.

The article continues to highlight a 35 minute productivity gain per therapist, per 8 hour shift along with increased process efficiencies and incremental inpatient revenue impacts. A 7.2% productivity improvement associated with implementation of the system for PT and OT staff is among the many additional benefits resulting from the implementation of the MediLinks Rehabilitation Information System.

MediLinks will Reduce Claims Denials for Medicare's New MAE Criteria

The process of determining the appropriate need for Mobility Assistive Equipment or MAE recently become more complicated. A patient may need MAE — such as a cane, crutches, walker, wheelchair or scooter — if it is determined that the need is reasonable due to impairment of personal mobility that would hinder a person's ability to perform necessary daily functions such as feeding, dressing, grooming and bathing. Medicare implemented criteria that include a series of 9 questions requiring interactive questions that must be documented. The added complexity of determining necessity could present a tedious and time consuming addition to the daily workflow of clinicians — reducing efficiency and increasing the probability of revenue loss through claim denials.

MediServe's MediLinks® product for Rehabilitation is uniquely capable of handling multi-step, multi-question criteria. Through the strengths of MediLinks branching logic and the calculation engine, information across all disciplines can be gathered and followed consistently to create the documentation necessary to provide evidence of MAE being "appropriate and necessary". The product's ability to require the appropriate clinical documentation and decision support can guarantee compliance when documenting necessity of MAE resulting in reduction of exposure to claims denials.

A Virtual Makeover for MediServe

MediServe Information Systems launched a new Web Site on Wednesday, November 23. This dynamic portal inside MediServe was designed with usability and functionality in mind. Features on the site include case studies, product and company information, datasheets, movie clips, MediServe sponsored and attended events and more. In addition to learning about the company, product and industry visitors to the site can sign up for the newsletter or request more information on demand.

Clients can dive even deeper by logging on to the client portal. With access to this secure site MediServe users from all over the country can come together and learn more about the new capabilities of the MediLinks® product and discuss a variety of product topics on a bulletin board.