Document imaging technology allows you to create, manage, and store electronic files in your medical practice, including digital versions of patient’s medical records. Document imaging reduces paper clutter, frees up office space, and provides an evergreen, electronic copy of the document that can’t be physically destroyed or lost. However, document imaging comes with certain risks in addition to its many benefits.
Due to the large amount of paperwork that any medical practice must manage, it can be difficult to consistently scan documents in-house. Many medical practices outsource their document imaging to a third party for this reason. Transporting physical documents to a document scanning company, whether by mail or other delivery method, places the documents at risk of being lost or damaged. There is also an increased chance that patient’s confidential information could be compromised. If your office decides to work with a third part document imaging service, be sure to review the following areas with them:
- How documents are protected between your office and their office
- How long it will take before the document is scanned and available electronically
- How documents in transition can be located quickly in case of an emergency
An experienced document imaging company will be able to guarantee the security of your documents, and have systems in place for quick scanning and fast document location.
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