Technology is not usually top of mind for patients in need of chiropractic care, but Dr. Jay Greenstein, CEO of Sport and Spine Rehab, is quickly changing that mindset as more practices move to a value-based healthcare model. Dr. Greenstein operates five chiropractic offices in the D.C. metro region, utilizing evidence‐based treatment plans through a variety of chiropractic, physical therapy and rehabilitative techniques. Technology is at the forefront of Dr. Greenstein’s practice, creating efficiencies for the business while improving the patient experience.
As Greenstein began looking at ways he could keep patients healthy in an evidence-based, cost-effective way, it became clear that a cloud-based electronic health records system (EHR) was one of solution in achieving this goal. The EHR system at Sport and Spine provides a complete practice management system supporting every aspect of the business – from scheduling, to documentation, to billing, while removing silos of information that existed previously. With the EHR in place, the staff has a broader view of data and analytics such that “detailed information and data about our patients as well as the business are accessible every single day,” Greenstein said in a recent interview with Future Healthcare Today.
In addition to patient information, the EHR contains an automated workflow that breaks down each and every task so that employees know what has been completed throughout the day, eliminating memory management for the staff. The workflow is a “Groundbreaking technology that takes the management away from doctors, allowing the system to drive workflows and therefore less of a need for human management,” Greenstein said. “It eliminates need for oversight by staff, creating efficiencies across the board.”
The EHR is also connected to an electronic data interchange which allows claims to be sent to carriers such that the business may see the status of claims, real-time. The system shows whether claims have been accepted, rejected or need attention by using a stoplight approach, giving the practice the opportunity to spend less time checking claims and more time with patients.
Greenstein has even more plans for the EHR and is working to build out a patient portal so that it’s easier for patients to report on conditions and will allow for new patients to come into the system without having to fill out paperwork. Later this year, Sport and Spine Health will be part of a practice-based research network and as a part of the rollout, the EHR system will be revamped so each piece of data is accessible and can be used for clinical research. Greenstein said, “Pragmatic data can be extracted from the system to identify conditions that patients come in for, cost implications, and if there may be comorbidities associated with certain conditions. It will allow us to see what patients are getting the best care at the lowest cost possible. In this era of value-based care there is literally nothing more important.”
Another way technology is transforming Sport and Spine Health is through their recent rollout of telehealth consultations. As Greenstein explained in our interview, “If a patient is having a bout of acute back pain and, having a hard time moving and getting into a car, they can now call a chiropractor to manage the problem at home instead of heading to the ER. The patient can send out an email or text through HIPPA compliant program and ask for a telehealth consult. A doctor can get on the platform and literally go through a full patient history and some components of an examination over video conference.”
Greenstein added, “I can put the patient through orthopedic tests and range of motion evaluations, and deliver exercises while watching them This provides a conservative but effective intervention – whether it may be certain exercises, ice in specific areas or topical analgesics. The cost savings of a chiropractic telehealth consult versus a visit to the ER are astounding when you consider the imaging like x-rays or MRI’s, as well as travel costs for the patient. With telehealth, a patient can be seen almost immediately without even leaving their house. To me, it’s a win-win.”
