by RPA Streamlines Back-Office Tasks
Robotic process automation (RPA) utilizes software robots or artificial intelligence (AI) to handle repetitive tasks, allowing hospital staff to focus on more complex work. RPA captures and interprets existing applications for processing a transaction, triggering responses and communicating with other digital systems. This frees up clinicians and administrators from cumbersome manual processes.
Areas ripe for robotic process automation in Robotic Process Automation In Healthcare include claims processing, patient billing, medical coding and transcription. Software robots can extract data from electronic health records, unify patient information across disparate systems and ensure compliance with documentation standards. An RPA implemented at one major hospital system automatically retrieved details from 25 different sources to populate forms for more than 2,000 patients per day.
Clinical staff spend less time searching for patient records and reconciling documents. An oncology center used RPA to eliminate 1,200 hours per month spent consolidating clinical trial data. Nurses were given back time equivalent to hiring five additional full-time employees. Automating routine compliance tasks allowed a children’s hospital network to audit 10 times more records monthly, improving standards.
RPA Boosts Revenue Cycle Management
Revenue cycle management is a major hurdle for healthcare organizations grappling with administrative complexities. Robotic Process Automation in Healthcare handles payment follow-up tasks such as claim validation, denial management and collections that require continuous monitoring. Software robots ensure claims are filed and tracked properly with payers from intake to payment, flagging issues promptly.
For example, bots at one large hospital system monitored claim statuses, automatically resubmitting denials daily to achieve a 99% first-pass adjudication rate. This shaved off $3 million in annual denial costs. RPA also boosts profit margins by reducing days in accounts receivable from 120 to 38 days. It integrates with existing systems to retrieve patient insurance information, claim details and payment posting – streamlining handoffs between departments.
The technology proves effective for pre-authorization and pre-certification tasks too. Bots compare clinical eligibility against payer regulations and file requests electronically on behalf of providers. This accelerated an authorization review process that used to take over a week down to just one day. Faster pre-approvals translate to earlier treatment and improved clinical outcomes.
Improving Patient Experience
Patient experience is integral to healthcare’s transition to value-based care models. RPA enhances interactions and the patient journey. At the front-end, chatbots and virtual agents answer common inquiries via websites and patient portals. They also schedule appointments, enabling 24/7 self-service access. Unburdened from routine support queries, human staff can dedicate more one-on-one time to complex patient needs.
Post-discharge, software robots monitor transition of care – automatically alerting the care team if follow-up orders are missed, tests are due or medications require changes. This closed over 500 care gaps per month at one health system. RPA powers self-service kiosks too, allowing check-ins, wayfinding assistance and electronic payment without long queues. By reducing wait times and resolving issues accurately the first time, patient satisfaction and loyalty increase while costs reduce.
Transforming the Healthcare Workforce
RPA adoption is reshaping the way healthcare organizations operate by augmenting human capabilities rather than replacing jobs altogether. It creates new types of roles to oversee software robots while repurposing existing positions away from menial tasks towards more meaningful work. For example, coders and auditors now focus on exception handling and complex record reviews rather than routine paperwork.
An artificial intelligence center of excellence is emerging specialty dedicated to leading digital transformation strategies. Professionals in this function implement, manage and continuously optimize RPAs. They work closely with clinicians to develop bots tailored around clinical workflows. RPA also nurtures STEM careers as maintaining and programming robots requires technical specialists. Healthcare is poised for exponential job growth in these futuristic fields over the next decade.
While automation eliminates certain positions, many more jobs are derived from expanded access, higher quality services and greater efficiencies. Providers can recruit top talent by touting technology-enabled career paths. RPA ensures staff spend more engaging face time with patients versus computers. It alleviates burnout from repetitive, clerical burdens to create satisfying roles optimized for human strengths like empathy, problem-solving and complex decision making. The net impact on jobs is positive when manual tasks are automated judiciously to free up bandwidth for strategic work.
Robotic process automation in healthcare delivers transformative benefits across ambulatory, acute and post-acute care delivery. From optimizing back-office operations to enhancing patient and clinician experiences, healthcare is raising the bar on quality and affordability with nimble software robots. Automated workflows boost productivity, accuracy and compliance while saving costs. Clinicians derive back valuable time for high-touch duties.
As RPA evolves using machine learning and analytics, its potential to advance individualized care, prevention efforts and research multiplies exponentially. Resources are reallocated to high-value services rather than low-value activities. With strategic scaling and change management best practices, the technology empowers humans to work at the top of their capabilities. This ushers in a future where providers deliver unmatched service and outcomes for both patients and their communities.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it.
About Author - Vaagisha Singh
Vaagisha brings over three years of expertise as a content editor in the market research domain. Originally a creative writer, she discovered her passion for editing, combining her flair for writing with a meticulous eye for detail. Her ability to craft and refine compelling content makes her an invaluable asset in delivering polished and engaging write-ups. LinkedIn
