Descriptmed- 1600 patients and 2 yrs later!

Hi All,

It's been a long time since I had a chance to do a post... My old user ID (lamdo) is no longer working...

This upcoming Feb. will be 2 yrs since I started using Descriptmed by Dr. Terry Ellis.  I now have over 1600 patient's chart.  Wow, what an amazing journey...  I can honestly say that switching from paper charts to Descriptmed EMR was the single most important decision I made in the last 2 yrs...  I am totally happy with this software and would recommend that anyone looking for a reasonable cost package give it a serious try...  I have no financial interest in Terry's company...  I'm proud to say that some of my suggestions were incorporated into Terry's program to make it a better product...

Practice Setting: Internal Medicine, solo practice

Paper based 8 yrs, EMR based 2 yrs

Patients register at front office on paper.  Demographic and info type into Descriptmed and my billing/scheduling software (Visionary office).  This is double entry; but, only done once.  Once the patient is entered into Descriptmed, a folder is created...  The paper registration and ins card is scanned into the folder.  My scanner is Fujitsu (?4120c ~ $700).  The patient is taken to the exam room...  I work from only 1 exam room where my computer is set up (I can only see one patient at a time...).  I have a 17 in LCD that can rotate.  A webcam for taking the patient's picture.  A printer to print the Rx...  I touchtype as I take the history.  I do my own vitals.  I point-and-click to document the physical exam.  I type or click the A/P.  I print the Rx, sign the Rx and I'm ready for the next patient...  My billing/scheduling software generate a super-bill that I sometime code from home... Average time with new patient ~30 min, established patient ~15 min.

Window XP pro- OS

Adobe Acrobat Standard/Pro ($$$)- documents are scanned in as PDF or TIF.  Most labs are downloaded as PDF or scanned in to the folder.

Brother's MFC on my desk in my private office to scan and fax Rx refills (many of those/day).

Front office use an HP's MFC (?model; but, sheet feeder not that good) that capture incoming faxes as PDF.   This also serve as the coppier and another outgoing fax machine.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, es Terry!
 

 

 

Hello, nice setup you got there.   I was wondering how many patients do you see a day if you have only 1 exam room.  Is that enough to pay overhead?

I have a total of 3 exam rooms; but, I only use one.

I have an "open access" scheduling system and can see anywhere from 5 to 30 patients a day.  

Open access means I can see patient usually the same or next day that they call...

Yes, I earn enough to pay the overhead and still make a living... 

 

Congrats Dr. Do.  I spoke with Terry several years ago about his program and I'm confident he'll keep on improving it.  I'm glad to see he has many happy customers.

There's a lot to be said for "home grown" solutions.

I appreciate the good words from Dr. Do and I certainly appreciate the "sticky" that Robert did on this topic.  Thanks to both! Kirk, maybe its time you gave this another look!

I think it's time to pull the plug on this sticky.  Again, Robert, thanks!