Betsy Swanick #1

Recently, Peidmont Medical Care Corporation decided to expand its use of services provided by NextGen Technology. Peidmont first started using these services in 2000 and expanded use before in 2004. The results of using such technologies have improved many aspects of Peidmont Medical Care Corporation’s operations from the increase of productivity and salaries of its physicians to the reduction “in patient calls to the central billing office” and “in claim denials.” With the dramatic changes that have taken place since the program was first utilized in 2000, PMCC made remarkable strides in the industry and with the addition of new technology hopes to become a “leader” in the market.

According to NextGen Technology’s website, they are an assistant to managing projects customized to their customers. They consider themselves to be “building blocks” to finding the solution to managerial problems within healthcare structures. In my own opinion, the services provided by this company will forever be valuable. In the past years, countless stories have emerged of doctors being sued in malpractice suits and other stories of doctors leaving their occupation because they were unable to afford malpractice insurance. Simple managerial skills can help avoid little problems and mix-ups that can lead to such lawsuits and heightened insurance prices. It may no directly affect what goes on in the operation room, but things like scheduling can be improved. More timely appointments with doctors can improve a patient’s chance of recovery or simply put a patient on the road to recovery earlier.

Another reason I think the improvement of management in health care is the growing number of senior citizens in today’s society. Doctors cannot so easily remember their patients if they have too many. Technology can make remembering their personal information, their schedule, their current medical standing and their medical history more available. In turn, decisions for current or future medical attention will be based on more knowledge.

In addition to being a great resource to those in the medical field, it will benefit the patients. Medicine improves very quickly, now, and constantly new medicines or brands of medicines hit the shelves. I can think of multiple types of ibuprofen with added soothers or even caffeine. If doctors have a fuller list of medicines available, patients have more choice. Some people believe that too many options are paralyzing, an educated decision will always be the best. Doctors will be able to offer many medical routes and have an abundance of advice thanks to the organized data available.

While healthcare is a controversial topic today with whether or not it should be free or privately funded, what can be agreed upon is that what is offered should continue to improve. I think Peidmont Medical Care Corporation’s decision to expand on the technology can only be beneficial. They have a shot at being the “leader” of the industry like they hope, which will further push the limitless advances of technology forward.

NextGen Healthcare Information Systems. Web.

"Peidmont Medical Care Corporation Expands Its Use of NextGen Technology." Philadelphia Inquirer. 21 Sept. 2009. Web. 21 Sept. 2009. .