Despite advanced technologies that allow medical professionals to improve patient service and perform life-saving medical procedures, hospitals are still dramatically behind in taming the paper tiger, according to a PayStream Advisors report entitled "Healthcare Document Imaging: Using Today's Imaging Technology to Improve Business Processes."
At most U.S. hospitals today, more than 90 percent of all patient information exists on paper, says the PayStream report. In addition, the company contends hospitals and health systems are experiencing a number of problems that prevent true optimization of patient registration, clinical documentation, coding, billing, and follow-up.
However, according to PayStream (Charlotte, N.C.), a research and advisory firm, more than 75 percent of the top 100 hospitals in the U.S. are currently in the planning phase for an EMR, with most looking to implement in the next 18 months.
