The Importance of Patient Satisfaction Surveys

Posted on August 17, 2012 by clehmann

We could write blog after blog on the importance of patient satisfaction surveys to healthcare providers and organizations, but it might not mean a whole lot coming from us. Instead, we’ve collected some worthwhile articles for you to check out written by the experts.

Six Characteristics of High-Performing Healthcare Organizations – highlights some of the differences in results throughout different types of surveys, including the HCAHPS.

http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/6-characteristics-of-high-performing-healthcare-organizations.html

Candid Comments Make HCAHPS Results Even More Valuable - discusses the value of open-ended patient comments (something that runs seamlessly with our software).

http://blog.healthstream.com/blog/bid/108113/Candid-Comments-Make-HCAHPS-Results-Even-More-Valuable

HCAHPS Focus: 3 Ways HR Can Impact the “Always” Response

http://www.hireright.com/blog/2012/08/hcahps-focus-3-ways-hr-can-impact-the-always-response/

Oaklawn gets high scores in patient satisfaction surveys

http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20120816/NEWS01/308160011/Oaklawn-gets-high-scores-patient-satisfaction-survey?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFrontpage&nclick_check=1

As you can see, don’t just take our word for it.

Find out how AutoData’s software can help improve your organization’s patient survey process and more importantly, save your organization money.

NetE-nable Goes Mobile on Tablets

Posted on July 12, 2012 by jrainey

A tablet displaying a NetE-nable survey in an office

Tablets on the Rise

There’s no use denying it, tablet use is on the rise. Whether it’s for personal use or business reasons, many of our customers and readers use them (you may even be reading this blog on your tablet). Here at AutoData, we have noticed an increase in the amount of questions from customers regarding a survey solution for tablets and mobile devices. The solution? NetE-nable: the cloud-serviced web add-on to ExpertScan.

Tablets are quickly becoming more than just a novelty; they’re gaining popularity among users seeking more portability, ease of use, and simplicity over their current computer experience. Whether you need to catch up on emails, read the latest news in your industry, or take meeting minutes, tablets are proving to be more and more valuable in the business world.
NetE-nable survey displayed on a tablet With countless businesses capturing data (whether it is a patient satisfaction survey, a safety practices/inspections form, a teacher evaluation, etc.), being able to use a tablet has many benefits over a traditional paper survey or form:

Eliminate scanning – By using the web for surveys you’re able to rid yourself of messy paper. You also can avoid trying to decipher sloppy handwriting altogether
Instant data collection – The second the “Submit” button is clicked, data is populated and ready to be used and reported on. No waiting around to go through the scanning process
Ease of access – Wherever you have a tablet (or web browser with internet connection) there you will also have access to your survey. No more waiting for your survey to be printed or copied, forgetting them on your desk, or dealing with lost or out of order surveys

Tablet and Mobile Device Survey Solution

With our cloud-serviced web add-on, NetE-nable, AutoData has the solution to gathering data via tablets. As pictured above, tablets using a NetE-nabled physician satisfaction survey can be filled out and instantly deliver data on tablets with a web browser and an internet connection.

Since we here at AutoData still strongly believe that paper surveys will always have a place in data collection, we offer the combination of both paper and web surveys into one database. This is what separates us from the rest. No need to give yourself (or your IT department) more Access/Excel work dealing with having separate databases. AutoData provides you with the all-in-one solution.

NetE-nable survey displayed on a mobile phone

Have a device with a web browser and internet connection? A NetE-nable survey will work! Try out a sample survey on your device and tell us what you think.

Not an ExpertScan user? Request a demo of our software as well as a live, screen sharing demonstration. Watch the Learning Center’s ExpertScan with NetE-nable intro video for another look at our software.

Already using ExpertScan? Contact us and request a free, 14-day trial of NetE-nable.

Already using NetE-nable? Check out some tips and tricks from a previous blog post.

Automation in Healthcare: How AutoData’s software cuts health care costs

Posted on May 14, 2012 by clehmann

“Automation, either full or partial, of various jobs can be a productive tool for healthcare organizations looking to cut costs, and proven solutions and technology are enticing.”

The above quote is from a recent Health Leaders article titled, “Automation and the Healthcare Cost Curve.” The quote is as true as it is simple: save labor, save money. According to the article, labor costs are ranked as the No. 1 cost driver by 33% of senior health leaders, while 59% put it in the top three cost drivers. The unsustainable rising costs of health care have the industry looking to innovate to drive down costs while at the same time maintaining, or better yet, increasing efficiency. As the article points out, an underrepresented area of innovation in the healthcare industry is automation.

“. . . a first step for many hospital senior leaders is placing an emphasis on labor-saving technology and techniques.”

This is where AutoData can help. Whether utilizing a simple form designed to collect patient information or a complicated study on bone density, the healthcare industry still heavily relies on the use of paper. AutoData’s software provides organizations the opportunity to scan paper forms into a computer where the information is then automatically placed into an Access database. In other words, AutoData’s software eliminates manual data entry. When manual entry is eliminated, labor costs are saved and efficiency is improved. Lower costs and higher efficiency is a goal every healthcare organization should try to achieve - a goal in which AutoData has been helping healthcare organizations achieve for 20 years.

Below is a link to the full article:

http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/page-1/LED-279485/Automation-and-the-Healthcare-Cost-Curve

ExpertScan with NetE-nable; Some Fresh Ideas

Posted on April 20, 2012 by jrainey

NetE-nable

If you’re not already aware, ExpertScan has a web add-on we like to call NetE-nable. When using NetE-nable, data you gather off the web is populated into the same database as your paper surveys and forms, giving you an unprecedented advantage over manually key entering data or using a separate web survey source. ExpertScan already eliminates manual entry of paper forms and surveys, but with the NetE-nable add-on you have the option to do away with the hassle creating separate surveys online, combining separate databases, and ultimately avoiding the not-so-joyful issues that may arise with those processes. One database, one survey… One solution!

AutoData is constantly churning out new ideas to create a better experience for our customers. With the creation of this blog, we are now able to share many of those ideas with you, the end user or a prospective customer. Here are two ideas to help disperse your NetE-nable forms or surveys.

Short URL’s

With the internet becoming commonplace in today’s vernacular, long and drawn-out URL’s have become more of a nuisance. As such, many websites have created generators that automatically turn a long, unwieldy URL into a simpler, shorter one. For example, the video website, YouTube, uses a customized short URL for sharing their videos. In this example, you see their short URL as “youtu.be” with a series of characters following the “/”. The following URL links to our ExpertScan with NetE-nable Intro video: http://youtu.be/HdQvrzwxjJ8. I don’t need to go into detail of how this works, but the series of characters define where the URL directs the user.

Why should you care? Glad you asked! When using our NetE-nable software and after completing the NetE-nable wizard you are given a link as a means to disperse or “publish” your survey. Often times, it can be a bit lengthy (especially when using barcodes) and cumbersome to display on a website, in an email, or even print on paper. My short URL generator of choice for some time now has been Tiny URL for the following reasons:

It’s FREE! Who doesn’t like free?!
No need to sign up; quick and easy URL’s generated
No spam filter; some short URL services require you to complete those pesky, often difficult to decipher spam filters
Custom/alias URL option; you can add a custom URL to your link. Ex. www.tiny.cc/patientsatisfaction
Recent URL list; if you’re converting a series of survey links you’ll have a list of all your recent links from that session
Further services and features are provided if you sign up. Check them out!

So armed with Tiny URL, here’s a quick tutorial of how I converted AutoData’s online survey into a short URL:

Copied my NetE-nable link: http://www.expertscan.autodata.com/default.aspx?webid=BB1FDEBA-0936-4EF4-BC01-DB6846029662
Open Tiny URL and paste the NetE-nable link here:
After clicking “tiny!” I’m provided with my new short URL. That’s it!
I now have a short URL that’s easy to disperse: http://tiny.cc/cbw0cw

QR Codes

Another idea I’d like to mention is the use of QR codes. QR codes are a 2D barcode that is typically scanned by a mobile device (smart phones, tablets, etc.). Often times they’re found in magazines, online, and many varying types of print materials. When the QR codes is scanned, the device follows the barcode’s “directions”. For example, say you are gathering forms or surveys during a large conference. While you prefer paper surveys, you may have a number of people wishing to complete the form or survey on the way to the next speaker. By simply providing them with a QR code (printed on a banner, note card, or even the paper survey) as a link to your NetE-nable form or survey, they are still able to fill out your survey from their mobile device. My QR code generator of choice is BeQRious for the following reasons:

FREE! Again, everyone loves free!
No sign up required
Simple, straightforward directions on creating your own QR code
11 types of QR codes generated (I’ll be focusing on the URL portion)
Customization options
A few downloadable file types to choose from
Ability to sign up for further features

This time armed with BeQRious, here’s a quick tutorial of how I created my QR code:

Copy the NetE-nable link: http://www.expertscan.autodata.com/default.aspx?webid=BB1FDEBA-0936-4EF4-BC01-DB6846029662
Open BeQRious, select URL and paste the link in the URL window:
If you wish, select a color of QR code
Choose the file format (I used JPG), size (large for me), click download and…
Presto! Your very own QR code containing a link to your NetE-nable survey.
Give it a scan with your mobile device and fill out a sample survey!

I hope I’ve given you a couple ideas to try out with your NetE-nabled forms or surveys (or maybe I have given you the urge to buy NetE-nable!). Post any comments or questions you may have and I’ll do my best to answer them. Short URL’s and QR codes are not supported by our tech support staff but I am happy to assist as best I can.

Happy data gathering!