ABSTRACT
Clinics use a host of diagnostic and medical equipment like weight scales, height bars, blood pressure devices, exam tables, temperature probes, pulse oximeters, spirometry equipment, and more. There are usually very low or no tech options to the equipment and much more high-tech options for the same equipment. There are numerous electronic systems to support healthcare processes and numerous sub-systems within each electronic system. Providers and clinical support staff spend a large percentage of time working in the clinical documentation system. The system of records is where patient care notes are entered, patient information is retrieved, messages are sent or received, and more. Once staff and providers are comfortable with a specific system, it is difficult to change to another system so system change happens infrequently. Patient appointment scheduling systems may be a module connected to the EMR or a stand-alone system. Patient scheduling systems can aid or hinder a clinic’s ability to manage provider capacity, throughput, and access.
