CRS, a clinical registration system

Abstract

Rationale The purpose of this study was to design a system to simplify and improve patient registration while increasing co-pay collections for patients receiving Allergy injections. Methods and results Designing a program was undertaken utilizing a local computer consulting and development firm. The process for the patient is as follows: arrive in clinic at Kiosk, swipe an ID card or type name/date of birth or social security number; confirm address, insurance info and form of payment; pay by credit card, cash or check; credit card registration is now complete and will receive their shot; patient paying by cash/check will present at registration desk. Process continues while system relays information to the nurses' station. Nurse calls patient, and receives shot. End of clinic, nurse will submit billing information via electronic submission. Conclusions Injection co-pays are not paid/missed at a high rate. July 2002, our clinic had about 80 shot patients/day, and an increase of 35% requiring a co-pay (75% July 2002 vs 40% in June 2002). However, due to this high volume, the additional encounters at registration desk caused a bottleneck effect. A normally efficient registration process became time consuming and frustrating. Therefore, a simple patient self-registration system (CRS) was designed. We anticipate this system will not only save the time of the clinical staff but will also streamline and increase efficiency of the entire process of tracking and collecting co-pays.