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S U N S E T T I N G R PM SGolden Opportunity to “Level-up”Clinic Performance & Tribal Healthcare Delivery
ANIMPORTANTTECHNOLOGYCROSSROAD.While IHS discontinuance of RPMSmay cause disruption for clinicsinvolved with providing tribalhealthcare, facilities have a “greenfield” opportunity to significantlylevel-up their systems for greaterproductivity, better patientinteraction and care, improvedreporting and compliance and moreattractive bottom-line performance.With Indian Healthcare Services(IHS) discontinuing its Resourceand Patient Management System(RPMS), many former systemusers find themselves at animportant technology crossroad.While transition and change isnever easy, these clinics nowhave the opportunity to not onlyaccelerate the original visionof RPMS, but to significantlyenhance and expand capabilityand outcomes with cloud-basedtechnology packed with powerfulcapabilities specifically adaptedto the requirements of IHSproviders and tribal patients.Sunsetting RPMS: Golden Opportunity to “Level-up” Clinic Performance and Tribal Healthcare Delivery
RPMS ORIGINAL VISIONThe initial roadmapthat IHS set forRPMS encompassedHARDWARESOFTWAREfour fundamentalcomponents.The stated goal was to “allow facilitieslarge and small to work independentlyand within the larger network of the IHS.”Each component contained specifictechnology modules designed tofacilitate this vision.NETWORKDATABASEWhile RPMS made great strides towarddelivering this vision, IHS decided thatshifting to commercial software was abetter way to support healthcare servicesfor tribal members.LEVELING UP & THE UNEXPECTED:THE NEXT STEP AFTER RPMSClinics formerly using theRPMS system now have theopportunity to take the visionof optimized healthcare forIHS populations to the nextlevel with new comprehensivesoftware systems.These systems preservethe original intent of RPMS,but extend to incorporateadditional functionality that candramatically boost productivityfor providers, outcomes forpatients, and providedeeper data, analytics andreporting for clinic andprogram administrators.To illustrate this path forward,we outline below the “LevelUp” features provided bynew systems that extendthe original RPMS intentand deliver benefits wellbeyond the baseline ineach of the four key RPMSareas. Because these softwaresystems are so robust, wealso include a section titled“unexpected features” listingfunctionality that is part of thecore software system that maybe well beyond IHS and RPMSusers’ expectations.
HARDWARELeading systems offer significant expansion in typesand breadth of hardware supported beyond theoriginal RPMS scope.Level Up – Whereas RPMS supported Intel-based PC machines,new systems seamlessly support Windows and Apple devices,including desktops, laptops, tablets and mobile devices. Thisprovides significant flexibility in streamlining workflows andpatient interaction throughout the continuum of care, whether inthe clinic, hospital, or on the road.Unexpected Features – All other hardware specified by RPMSwas related to backend network and data storage. With leadingsystems, this all goes away, as they are fully cloud-based.NETWORKRPMS specified networking infrastructure to supporta system that was architected as non-cloud-based.Level Up – Fully cloud-based systems provide the highestlevels of security, responsiveness, reliability and usability in atrusted online environment hosted on rock-solid platformslike Amazon Web Services (AWS). The elimination of onpremises backend equipment significantly reduces CAPEXand IT support costs and risk. Additionally, an open APIarchitecture insures interoperability with other systems fordata exchange and reporting.Unexpected Features – You can seamlessly support alllocations and providers regardless of facility type, specialty orremote location. All that’s required is an Internet connection.DATABASEA stated goal of RPMS was “to eliminate duplicatedata entry.” While that lofty objective may have notbeen fully achieved, advanced systems provide theability to actually realize this crucial milestone.Level Up – A single, unified database brings together alldemographic, patient input and clinical data (includingprescriptions, scans, images and labs) into a central, robust,flexible data architecture. This data structure, combined with arobust API set ensures interoperability with other key data andreporting sites, such as Health Information Exchanges (HIEs).Unexpected Features – The unified database is architected toeasily support advanced administrative, clinical and reportingfeatures that require cross-functional data access withoutcumbersome and error-prone interfaces and integrations. Thisis especially important for easily and accurately completingrequired IHS reporting using automated systems.Sunsetting RPMS: Golden Opportunity to “Level-up” Clinic Performance and Tribal Healthcare Delivery
SoftwareThe software component of RPMS, referred to as Applications, was dividedinto three sub-categories: Clinical, Administrative, and Infrastructure.Within each of these, former RPMS clinics have theopportunity to migrate to a system that allows them to“level up” to the next level of built-in functionality in leadingsystems, as well as enjoy additional unexpected featuresthat bring state-of the-art capability to their patient care.CLINICALClinical functionality formerly providedthrough various RPMS modules is nowavailable in a single, unified and highlycustomizable EHR system.Level Up – Specific cloud-based systems intuitively provideclinical charting and decision support with customizedtemplates, on-the-fly subnotes and customizable patientcards for fast, efficient patient care based on specialties youserve. Cloud systems easily adapt and can be customizedto individual provider needs, multi-specialty settings andthe full spectrum of tribal patient care, including chroniccondition treatment and reporting, behavioral health,chiropractic and physical therapy.Full ePrescribing is included, with mobile access and EPCSreporting. Lab orders are automated with integrated resultstracking and reminders. Additionally, key quality measuresare automatically tracked and reported, including MACRAand MIPS. The software also easily supports Meaningful Useattestation for clinics that require this support.A personal health record view was included in RPMS, whichis expanded to a full, robust patient portal in many of thenew systems. Patients have secure access to their medicalrecords, lab results, intake forms (which automatically updatethe chart in EHR), online scheduling, bill-pay, as well assecure, direct communication with providers and staff.Unexpected Features – A number of powerful additionalfeatures help providers maximize productivity and patientsatisfaction. A personalized physician dashboard tracks dailytasks, appointments, priority items and staff communications,while prioritized task donuts help providers stay focused onwork volume and track outstanding critical tasks andfollow-ups, including most important things to do next.Telemedicine, or the use of HD video-based conferencecalls, is also fully supported natively, providing anothergreat option for optimizing coverage in rural tribalhealth situations.Sunsetting RPMS: Golden Opportunity to “Level-up” Clinic Performance and Tribal Healthcare Delivery
ADMINISTRATIVEAdministrative features include allfunctionality involved with front office,claims and billing, and reporting activities.Level Up – Legendary claims and billing areat the heart of select systems that deliverextremely high clean claims submission,fast reimbursement turnaround, androbust tracking and reporting. Schedulingfunctionality is integrated with billingand front office tools so co-pays can becollected with one-click display of patientinformation and insurance or healthcareprogram eligibility.Financial reporting and business analyticsfunctions provide virtually limitlesscustomized views of the financial andproductivity performance of a practiceor organization regardless of number ofproviders, locations or specialties.Unexpected Features – A single, unifieddatabase and powerful analytics andreporting tools make tracking and reportingkey performance measures simple andautomated. For example, here are a fewof the specialized reports the system cantrack and submit: National Data Warehouse reporting Tribal Affiliation Tracking (TAT) Government Performance andResults Act reporting Referral care trackingand authorizations Purchased Referred Care (PRC) Other IHS-specific data anddemographic trackingINFRASTRUCTURESoftware infrastructure utilized withinRPMS is vastly simplified with newsystems’ elimination of all back-end,on-premises components.Level-Up – Because the software systemis entirely cloud-based, no softwaremaintenance is required. Updates arecompleted centrally and are automaticallyavailable to all users.Unexpected Features – All back-endsystems and support are eliminated, alongwith the need to maintain and upgradeservers and related software systems.Sunsetting RPMS: Golden Opportunity to “Level-up” Clinic Performance and Tribal Healthcare Delivery
Gettingfromhere tothere. 2019 AdvancedMD, Inc. All rights reserved.Clinics migrating from RPMS can restassured that committed vendors andtheir teams will work closely to support asuccessful IHS-focused practice.Migration tools are available to move data tothe new unified database, and implementationsupport and consulting will help ensure requiredcustomization and reporting are in place. Best ofall, these new systems provide a realistic way tobuild a profitable tribal-focused practice throughan affordable monthly subscription payment,rather than large up-front investment costs.At the end of the day, a forced migration fromRPMS may turn out to be one of the best thingsthat could happen to your clinic. Carefullyselecting a leading software system with the levelup and unexpected features outlined will quicklymove you toward that goal.(800) 825-0224advancedmd.com
through various RPMS modules is now available in a single, unified and highly customizable EHR system. Level Up - Specific cloud-based systems intuitively provide clinical charting and decision support with customized templates, on-the-fly subnotes and customizable patient cards for fast, efficient patient care based on specialties you serve.
