Vision

Facilities are quick to blame government regulations for the paperwork problem found in long term care facilities. Yet, aside from the MDS, a facility is hard pressed to identify a regulation that is not based on good clinical practices at a minimal level. So what is the problem? The problem is "the process of completing forms" that few people refer to in doing their daily work. And to computerize this process of "completing forms" is to computerize the problem. Need Proof? How many times do plans of correction begin with the words "We will create a form..." and yet, the form and procedure which is created is not required by law. For example, quarterly dietary assessment forms are not required. However, "as needed" but at least quarterly dietary assessments are required.

To take an existing process that is at fault and program it into a computer system will not actually solve your problem in the long run. American Data products integrate every word with every other word in the clinical record in order to eliminate duplication. The process of documenting is, therefore, changed within the facility to one of "encountering the patient" rather than spending that time completing forms and procedures that are not required by law. This is the case in every discipline and service being delivered to the patient. This integration is not controlled by the software vendor (us) but rather by your organization. This new way of documenting provides tremendous flexibility within the system so that it can be changed as the times and needs change. In addition to this, the compilation of information specific to a particular purpose can be obtained electronically from anywhere in the clinical record in multiple formats (graphs, reports, tasks, etc.).