Medical Facility realizes significant benefits with the Emdat solution

Cincinnati Eye Institute (CEI) employed off-site transcriptionists and used a traditional cassette tape dictation system. Transcription turnaround time was limited first, by the need to repeatedly fast-forward and rewind these tapes, and second, by on-the-clock travel time spent picking up dictations and dropping off completed transcriptions. It was a costly and inefficient setup, and for CEI's Project Manager Marsha Wylie, keeping track of each step in the transcription process was exhausting. “It was an administrative nightmare,” she said.

Just a few weeks after employing Emdat, CEI's staff was fully trained. Custom transcription templates had been created and were put into use. CEI's transcriptionists easily transitioned to Emdat's straightforward and user-friendly process. CEI's doctors eventually acclimated, and then found that Emdat's web-based software significantly outperformed the old system. Almost immediately, CEI reduced its transcription turnaround time from 3-4 weeks to 24 hours.

Marsha managed the Emdat implementation process. In a word, she describes Emdat's customer service and support as “phenomenal.” Immediately after CEI committed to the product, Emdat assigned a dedicated technician to help transition CEI’s existing process into Emdat's system and to handle all of CEI's software questions. Marsha recalls being on the phone with their assigned technician on a daily basis and cannot compliment him enough for his knowledge and expertise.

Return on Investment

Reduced Transcription Costs

CEI reaped the benefits of Emdat immediately. During the first three years alone, CEI reduced transcription costs by $250,000. They estimate that 80% of these savings resulted from Emdat's AAMT 65 character line system and built-in auto-text feature that automatically generates redundant fields and reduces the number of lines per transcription. Additionally, CEI reduced its letterhead and postage costs by sending and storing transcriptions electronically with Emdat.

Increased Productivity

Emdat's digital recordings expedited CEI's transcription process by eliminating cumbersome cassette tapes and necessary drive time.

Increased Functionality and Flexibility

CEI's transcription staff can upload finished transcriptions from any location with an internet connection. The entire office staff can take advantage of the remote-access capabilities that are built in to Emdat, viewing, editing, approving, electronically signing, printing and distribution. Doctors, specifically, appreciate this secure access to patient information from anywhere via the internet.

Simplified Transcription Process

Under the Emdat system, the transcription process has been greatly simplified. Wylie said, "Emdat is beautiful because it is run as status quo and I don't have to manage it."

Another Satisfied Customer

As a result, CEI has referred three other facilities to Emdat, citing:

• Cost savings
• Ease of use
• Customer service