Transitioning from manual to automated EHR application testing is an innovative step for any healthcare organization. While it’s a move that can dramatically improve efficiency, reduce risk, lower costs, and free up hundreds of analyst hours, it’s natural for employees to feel some level of nervousness and apprehension. Employees may worry about their existing roles and how the new process will impact current workflows.
Clear and continual two-way collaboration throughout all phases of the project is crucial for internal confidence and a seamless transition.
After all, a tremendous amount is riding on diligent and quality EHR testing. It can impact everything from patient care and safety to revenue cycle results. When expectations are transparent and internal and external groups are aligned, the process runs smoother, which reduces risk and facilitates a better outcome.
The SureTest team, including CEO, Laura O’Toole, and CRO, Phillip Furukawa, met with Erlanger Health System’s IT analysts to discuss their experience with SureTest’s SureManage™ Solution and working with the SureTest team.
This information-gathering session was about more than metrics. It was also about the granular, everyday impact the transition to automation had on Erlanger’s staff. Receiving feedback from valued partners like Erlanger enables us to better serve their teams, allowing them to focus on other strategic initiatives.
The following are a few key insights from the conversation with the team at Erlanger Health. Cinnamon Mathews, Erlanger Health System’s Chief Information Officer, opened the discussion by celebrating the exceptional efforts of the Erlanger team. She highlighted the meeting as a valuable opportunity for both recognition and growth, stating, “This meeting is a great moment to not only recognize all the work you’ve done, but also for Phillip and Laura [at SureTest] to learn from you.” Her remarks set the stage for a collaborative and insightful exchange, reinforcing the value of teamwork and shared learning.
A Fast Start
From the initial workflow capture sessions, a collaborative foundation was established between the SureTest and Erlanger teams.
“The workflow capture sessions were incredibly efficient. The process was quick and effective, with our portion of the script taking only about 15 minutes to capture. This streamlined approach made the sessions highly productive. Additionally, the sessions were thorough in capturing the necessary details for automation. We walked through various scenarios and addressed potential errors, which helped create comprehensive design documents.”
– Ross Thibodeaux, Professional Billing Team Lead & Revenue Cycle Analyst at Erlanger Health
Making the Most of More Time
For many health systems, transitioning to automated EHR testing provides an invaluable opportunity to reduce costs, optimize employees, and adopt future-ready technology.
Soon after SureTest’s SureManage Solution was implemented, these benefits became readily apparent to the Erlanger team. As one Erlanger analyst noted:
“Before implementing SureTest’s automation solution, our monthly testing took a full week. Now, if it takes more than a day, it’s a shock.”
Erlanger has already experienced a remarkable 98% reduction in time spent on manual EHR testing.
This heightened level of efficiency reduces operational burdens on Erlanger employees, freeing them to focus on higher-level tasks instead of the drudgery of repetitive manual testing.
Another participant on the panel said, “We used to have hundreds of tests that would keep one full person off my team for an entire week. Now that person is back to focusing on analytical tasks instead of testing, which is a huge win for us.”
The opportunity to redirect countless hours of manual testing is one of the primary benefits of SureTest’s automated solution.
“We want to give you back even more time. Keep questions in mind for other applications that you test manually—is this something that could be automated? If so, we’ll take it on.”
–Laura O’Toole, SureTest CEO
Real-Time Support and Adaptability
Testing in a complex EHR system can often lead to unexpected challenges, especially when new updates are introduced. Another key advantage of SureTest’s approach is real-time support. One Erlanger participant shared their appreciation for SureTest’s responsiveness:
“I have witnessed on a couple of occasions where they [SureTest] were running the automation, and there appeared to be a change in workflow, so they would ping in real-time to validate the intended change. And once they confirmed, their posture is always appreciative of the collaboration. It is a great partnership.”
Putting the Patient First
EHR testing may seem technical in nature, but ultimately, its impact is far-reaching, including a significant effect on patient care. That’s why SureTest’s collaboration with Erlanger has always kept the patient at the center of the conversation.
As Laura O’Toole noted, “At the end of the day, we’re all here for one reason—to put the patient at the center. If we can eliminate risk in that continuum, we’re thrilled to be a small part of that.”
A-Ha Moments
Every automated testing engagement has pivotal moments that validate the decision to move away from manual testing. SureTest’s experience with Erlanger has been no different, with participants noting the following occurrences:
“During a build, we caught an issue that changed an entire workflow’s navigator. That would have taken months to uncover manually, but automation flagged it early, saving significant time and potential issues in production.” – Erlanger Analyst
“The automation gave us an alert that prevented an issue from reaching production. It’s [the SureManage Solution] been instrumental in identifying problems early. – Erlanger Analyst
The partnership between SureTest and Erlanger demonstrates the importance of creating an environment where real-time feedback and ongoing communication continually drive success.
Aligned for the Future
When asked if they would implement the SureManage Solution again, the Erlanger team didn’t hesitate to say yes, which was a powerful endorsement of both the technology and managed service support behind it. While this affirmation is encouraging, it’s the candid insights from the Erlanger team that will fuel our drive to continue raising our level of service.
As SureTest continues to refine its SureManage Solution, we look forward to deepening our partnership with Erlanger while continuing to find ways to increase their operational efficiency and improve employee morale by relieving them of the burden of manual testing. As this partnership shows, the best outcomes almost always begin with strong collaboration.
Are you ready to elevate your organization’s EHR testing?
If you’re looking for a collaborative partner to innovate a managed approach to automate testing, reduce risk, give you back thousands of hours, and improve patient outcomes, reach out to SureTest today.