Since 1981, Cardone Record Services (CRS) has been a valued partner to health information management (HIM) departments nationwide, accomplishing a vast spectrum of record-management projects. Over the last decade, CRS has added document imaging to its core competencies, leveraging its intimate under-standing of the workings of HIM departments into an impressive cost-effective solution.

 John C. Cardone, President
John C. Cardone,
President/CEO


The Challenge
In today's cost-conscious healthcare environment, HIM departments are striving to streamline workflow and increase efficiency. At the same time, they are attempting to lay the groundwork for the EHRs that await in the near future. Even if an EHR is already implemented, balancing a hybrid medical record - part electronic and part paper - can be a significant challenge of its own.
The Ultimate Solution
Fortunately, there's a solution that can help accomplish these objectives. Document imaging technology has advanced to the point where it is extremely cost-effective, providing dramatic savings over the filing and maintenance of paper charts. Once documents are scanned and indexed, all record-related functions can be handled electronically leading to lower costs and higher performance. The documents can be converted to standard TIFF images, compatible with virtually all EHRs. Therefore, when an EHR is implemented, it will not begin with an empty database that requires the juggling of a hybrid record. All of the existing records for active patients will be electronically accessible from the EHR workstations.
The Interim Projects
HIM departments that are not yet ready to convert to an "electronic file room" periodically face the need to undertake a labor-intensive project, such as purging or loose filing. Attempting to conduct these projects with department staff is often inefficient and can lead to backlogs in critical record-management activities. But they must be performed…without painful disruption to routine functions.


The Undertaking
The payoff from converting to an electronic file room is enormous. But undertaking this conversion with department staff is also challenging. Expensive scanning equipment and software must be purchased and maintained. Someone in the department has to learn how to design and manage an ongoing imaging operation. To handle these projects efficiently, it takes experienced managers and trained personnel in addition to the regular department staff. Obtaining on-the-job training can be a "costly concept." Backlogs caused by absenteeism, employee turnover, fluctuations in workload, and production inefficiencies negatively impact the overall success of the imaging solution. Most significantly, the level of effort is almost always substantially underestimated, leading to costly overruns. Obtaining electronic images in not only an efficient but timely manner is extremely important. The hospital processes such as coding, billing, ROI, quality review, and most importantly patient care will likely suffer if electronic images are not available when needed. The overall success of an EHR environment is very dependent on how quickly and reliably images are available to the end users.
The Outsourcing Option (CRS Services)
Outsourcing enables the HIM department to continue focusing on its core responsibilities, while providing an attractive solution to accomplishing any of these important projects. CRS provides experienced managers and skilled staff with all the necessary equipment and project know-how. Projects are completed for a fixed unit price, eliminating the headaches and financial risks for HIM managers.