ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD systems (EHRs) have added numerous features in recent years. Now, patient outreach and engagement tools can be embedded in the EHR or tie into third-party firms like Weave, SolutionReach, or Clearwave, for patient communication and retention. These Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools send patients automated text and voice messages for appointment reminders, eyewear-ready notifications, and video links. They allow them to complete and submit medical history forms online, which update automatically. Most EHRs are either cloud- or server-based and charge a monthly subscription fee based on number of users or doctors. Some monthly subscriptions have no long-term contracts and include customer support and an integrated learning center.
Eyemd EMR Healthcare Systems
Axon is a patient engagement system that empowers clinicians to digitally interact with their patients outside of the clinical setting to improve efficiency, create opportunity, and enhance quality of care.
(877) 239-3367 | eyemdemr.com
Foxfire Systems Group
Foxfire’s new online patient forms feature can enhance the patient experience and save time for both staff and patients. The forms can be filled out on a computer, phone, or tablet, and information will come right back into the patient’s visit.
(877) 322-4176 | foxfiresg.com
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Eyefinity
VSP’s Eyefinity Practice Management and Eyefinity EHR are cloud-based software that seamlessly integrate with one another to streamline the workflow/patient journey. They offer eWebExtra, electronic patient notifications, online appointment scheduling, and medical history forms that can be completed and submitted online.
(800) 942-5353 | eyefinity.com
First Insight
MaximEyes offers two-way texting in its patient engagement module.
(503) 707- 8696 | first-insight.com
Compulink
Compulink Advantage offers a full suite of patient engagement tools that work right from the patient’s cellphone. They also offer tools to help practices with digital marketing and reputation management online.
(800) 456-4522 | compulinkadvantage.com
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Smart Ways to Use EHRs With Patient Engagement Tools
Davis Capaccioli, OD Peak Eyecare
Durango, CO
As a cold start two years ago (peakdurango. com) I demoed five EHRs, factoring in usability, features, and cost, eventually choosing MaximEyes. I opted to pay monthly for its cloud-based service that charges based on the number of doctors, not number of staff, and has unlimited patient records. It does patient notifications by text and email and offers online scheduling. It lets patients know about upcoming appointments and reminds them their eyewear is ready. It also lets me freely type my corneal findings when I’m doing patient assessments as it offers both a freetype and dropdown menu. Its patient notes feature lets me add comments about the number of children or dogs in the household! I can create a bill using MaximEyes, which notifies my third-party billing company to do everything else. Support staff worked with me on any problems.
Mahdi Basha, DO
Fraser Eye
Fraser, MI
We wanted an EHR that was specifically eye-related. EyeMD understand the optometry and ophthalmology industry. They implemented a bunch of ideas we discussed; e.g., can we consolidate this button into this button? We enjoy how responsive they are. They recently launched Axon and it’s phenomenal, a very customizable patient engagement tool. You can send patients emails, texts, and video links, not just confirmations. I can walk my cataract patients through what doctor they’re going to meet, how to prepare, how long they’ll be here. It’s a tool I’ve never seen before. EyeMD set us up with a basic package that we can customize on the back-end. The doctor can do it or we have a dedicated team in office as the point person. Relative to the big players, EyeMD was a very affordable option for us.
