November 11, 2009

Instead of having to go through piles of paperwork when you show up at the hospital, now checking-in is just a click away. A new automated system is in place for patients with an appointment to register at Martha Jefferson Hospital.

"When the patient comes to the hospital for their service, they are already nervous and stress level is high. We want to make that check-in process as easy and efficient for them as possible," said Director of Revenue Cycle, Sharon Scranton.

Scranton says this technology reduces check-in time from more than ten minutes to under two minutes.

"When patients come in and they are going through the registration process, if the process slows down for any amount of time, that will slow down the clinicians and physicians on the units getting ready to take care of those patients. It's just one more way we can continue to keep patient flow moving and lower that stress level for patients," said Scranton.

Since Martha Jefferson added this new technology, it has been a hit with patients. When surveyed, 98% of patients using the kiosk said it was easy and effective.

"You're always going to have those patients that don't want to use technology at all, but for the most part they love it," said Scranton.

For those patients who do not want to use or need a little help with the new technology, staffers are there to register people the old-fashioned way, or to help people navigate through the new system.

Ultimately, the new system allows patients to sign themselves in quickly and focus on their treatment instead of paperwork. Martha Jefferson is currently working on making the kiosks available at the Outpatient Care Center as well.