Computer-based system for automating administrative procedures in an office

Abstract

A computer-based system for automating administrative procedures in an office is described. According to an embodiment, the system may include a control module in communication with a management tracker module, a provider tracker module and an administrative tracker module, as well as a database accessible by the management tracker module, a provider tracker module and an administrative tracker module.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for automating administrative procedures in a medical office, comprising:
 A. a database;   B. a management tracker module;   C. a provider tracker module;   D. an administrative tracker module; and   E. a control module;   F. wherein the tracker modules are configured to operate under control of the control module and to share data with one another via access to the database;   G. wherein the management tracker module is configured to:
 (1) automatically generate a report showing the number of charts assigned to each department in the medical office; 
 (2) automatically generate a report showing an age of charts assigned to each department so that an office administrator may ascertain a workload status for each department; 
 (3) automatically generate a report identifying no-show patients; 
   H. wherein the provider tracker module is configured to:
 (1) maintain information in the database relating to provider workload to enable an office administrator to assess current workloads when determining to whom to assign new patients; 
   I. wherein the administrative tracker module is configured to:
 (1) provide access to management reports for each department; 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the management tracker module is configured to provide statistical administrative information relating to office management. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the management tracker module is configured to automatically generate a report showing listings of past, present and/or future appointments. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the management tracker module is configured to automatically generate a chart that requires specific action to be taken. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the reports generated by the management tracker module is generated daily and automatically printed. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein a report generated by the management tracker module includes age of a chart representing how long the chart has been in a given department. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the specific action to be taken in the chart generated by the management tracker module includes attachment of a pain drawing. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein reports generated by the management tracker module include database maintenance listings identifying duplicate entries and database/file archiving information. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the database/file archiving information includes tape backups generated during overnight processing. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the provider tracker module is configured to provide a report of all outstanding dictations. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the provider tracker module is configured to provide a report of all outstanding reports. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the administrative tracker module is configured to provide access to reports of on-site and/or off-site data availability. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the administrative tracker module is configured to provide access to provider workload, tape status, and chart location information. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the administrative tracker module is configured to maintain an administrator mailbox for receiving e-mails of pertinent communications sent by other employees.