EMR – Page 2

July 27, 2022

The Comeback Story: How Alleva helps Clearfork Academy meet its strategic business goals.

Austin Davis, founder and CEO of Clearfork Academy, shares his journey with Alleva, from when the company was first formed to their partnership today. Alleva's EMR has become the backbone of its infrastructure, helping the company grow and meet its goals.

Clearfork Academy is a Christ-centered residential treatment program for youth between the ages of 13 and 18 years old who struggle with substance abuse or addiction and the accompanying mental health and behavioral issues. They began using Alleva EMR when they first opened their two facilities in Texas but, after a while, parted ways. Then they "came back home" to Alleva. Listen to Austin Davis talk about the growth he's seen in Alleva over the years and how using the platform has helped their company succeed.

Alleva's Electronic Medical Records software solution offers the latest technology to therapists, improves the quality of their work, and relieves stress. Our intuitive, user-friendly platform eases the workflow for those providing care, so they have more time to do what they do best--serving their clients and saving lives.

Alleva's Insights feature helped Clearfork Academy to make better business decisions as their company grew. With advanced, real-time data, our clients are able to track their health center’s progress and efficiency. Customized charts make reporting a breeze. We help behavioral health clinics to meet their strategic business goals.

Let us walk you through it with a quick, hassle-free demo.

No more headaches. No more hassles.

Alleva Insights is easy and automated.

Say hello to solutions. helloalleva.com

July 8, 2022

Why Relapse?

After beating the odds and conquering the demons of addiction, why would anybody voluntarily choose to return to their previous self-destructive state? It is not uncommon for those in recovery to experience sobriety for a long period of time, and on an impulse restart the self-destructive cycle. This is what we call relapse.

Although the behavior may seem inexplicable, understanding brain chemistry sheds some light on the situation. Because the effects of drugs are so powerful, it changes the brain structure and chemistry of the user. Prolonged usage of such addictive substances leads to a reprioritization of what the brain ranks as important. With time the addict’s brain can even prioritize the use of the drug above natural survival responses such as eating and sleeping. The addict’s brain convinces itself that the consumption of the drug is more important than their life.

Our survival responses are powerful, to say the least. We are hard-wired to do whatever it takes to ensure the preservation of our lives. I once witnessed a mouse stuck in a trap chew off its own arm to escape. Just like the mouse, any of us would go to undeniably extreme measures to survive in a life-threatening situation.

Because of the effects of reprioritization, addicts will go to similarly extreme measures to ensure they can continue the usage of their substance. In short, addiction knows no limits. There is no price too expensive, no situation too dangerous, and no risk too great. Even after enjoying years of sobriety, there is still a danger of relapse. This is why addiction treatment must extend beyond the sphere of treatment centers. Truly, quitting the use of the drug is just the first step.

May 31, 2022

Alleva’s Telehealth Solution Which Enables HIPAA Compliance Surpasses 30 Million Minutes of Essential Care, Improving Mental Health Outcomes

Behavioral Health facilities using Alleva's telehealth feature are able to reach thousands of isolated clients in despair using their built-in Zoom Video technology.

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. (PRWEB) May 20, 2022-- In the wake of COVID-19, the U.S. not only faces a devastating death toll of over 980,000 lives lost from the virus but a staggering number of over 100,000 additional “deaths of despair” from alcohol abuse, drug overdoses, and suicide. This is a 28.5% increase in overdose cases from before the pandemic. With the burden on behavioral health facilities continuing to build, Alleva teamed up with Zoom Video Communications, Inc. in 2017 to offer a comprehensive telehealth solution that enables behavioral healthcare companies to meet HIPAA compliance requirements while delivering exceptional care.

Even before the pandemic, Alleva recognized the utility of Zoom’s unified communications platform and its application for healthcare facilities. Since its implementation, clinicians have been able to stay in contact with their clients who are unable to attend in-person sessions and those who prefer remote treatment. Before Covid, Alleva's customers averaged around 60 thousand telehealth minutes a month, but in April of 2020, and the onset of pandemic restrictions, that number jumped to almost 2 million minutes a month. Even as Covid risks have diminished, telehealth has not tapered off.

“The demand for telehealth shows no signs of slowing,” said Paul Magnaghi, Global ISV Program Leader, Zoom. “It’s crucial to provide a simple, frictionless, and secure experience for everyone involved–from provider to patient. Our platform incorporates security controls to help enable customers to satisfy the HIPAA Security Rule. We are pleased to have Alleva join Zoom’s ISV Partner Program and provide a simple and quick way for people to get connected to the care they need.” With the integration of Zoom’s convenient technology and the Alleva EMR, treatment centers can sync calendar appointments, and send invitations and reminders via texts directly to the Alleva app on their client’s cellphone, all while enabling HIPPA compliance.

Steven McCall, CEO of Alleva, said, "The fact that we were among the first EMR platforms to add the telehealth feature back in 2017 meant that we were agile and responsive when clinicians' circumstances and needs changed. Alleva is all about offering the latest technology and making life easier for caregivers.”

Alleva’s telehealth feature has allowed substance abuse and behavioral specialists to connect to their clients during increasingly challenging times. With options for individual, group, family, and admissions sessions, the telehealth feature allows people to connect effortlessly through digital means, with room for continued innovation. Moving forward, Alleva is looking to expand their solutions to further streamline communication and connect substance abuse specialists to those who need it.

For more information about Alleva, its built-in telehealth solutions, and how its solutions are shaping the behavioral healthcare industry, visit HelloAlleva.com.

About Alleva

Alleva provides world-class software to the behavioral health industry. Made up of a team of licensed therapists, industry professionals, and experienced software developers, they seek to use their industry background and passion to help the helpers give better care by providing them with supportive technology.

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April 5, 2022

How to Choose Addiction Treatment EMR Software

While new technology or procedure changes in the workplace can be intimidating, switching from paper records to electronic health records is essential in today's behavioral health market. Many clinicians resist change, even if it promises to make the day-to-day feel easier. Many people think, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” when asked to update their charting procedures. But if time is wasted trying to decipher handwriting or figuring out which antiquated symbol to click to view the most recent treatment plan, then an EMR will definitely simplify the process and increase efficiency.

With the right software system, one that is intuitive and handles tasks seamlessly, productivity improves and clinicians discover that they have more time to do what matters most--caring for those they serve.

In the behavioral health space, there are a few competing software programs. It is important to make sure that the time and effort spent adopting a new system is worthwhile. When looking for the EMR that best fits your addiction recovery facility, pay attention to how the system will help you achieve your clinic's goals and what kind of support is in place to see the implementation through.

What is EMR software?

EMR is Electronic Medical Records, sometimes referred to as EHR or Electronic Health Records. It is a major decision to choose what EMR to use and there are many factors to consider: cost, functionality, training, support, and compliance. The short-term time commitment cost of learning a new system is significantly outweighed by the benefits experienced by counselors able to document and track their clients' history more easily and efficiently.

Choose a system that helps to track patient progress and challenges, and updates other team members on patient engagement, seamlessly. Consider the following criteria to determine if the addiction treatment EMR software is right for your facility:

Is it customizable?

It is important to use software that is designed specifically for your industry. Behavioral health treatment centers need an EMR that is secure, makes documentation easy and helps with reporting and compliance. With a task-based system, the clinician is less likely to skip an essential step in the record-keeping process.

Is it collaborative?

Adopting a new EMR is generally done with the purpose of streamlining processes that are already present. Letting staff know that this is intended to be less work and save time is imperative. Giving the people who work with the system the most a say in what they need from an EMR can also allow this to feel like a collective decision. When a system is secure and cloud-based, information can be shared easily. Telehealth features facilitate communication and should be a requirement.

Is it easy to use?

Upgrading to a user-friendly EMR can take some of the paperwork burdens off of therapists. Clinicians who spend exorbitant amounts of time documenting or fighting with old systems are more likely to feel stressed at work. The longer this continues, the more likely it is that clinicians will burn out. Here are some ways that an EMR can alleviate this struggle and help therapists do more of what they love to do.

Spend Less Time Charting - Being able to type notes quickly and have a system that flows smoothly just saves time. A thoughtful setup simplifies processes.
Find Information Easily - When you need to dig around an old system or binder, it can take forever to find a specific record. With a system built to organize client information logically, counselors spend more time reading the actual data instead of clicking around.
Keep Track of Progress- Do screening assessments electronically and see how scores change over time. It makes treatment planning and assessing progress and goals so much easier to understand.

EMR Made for Therapists by Therapists

As a clinician, your needs are a priority. When time is wasted on an incompatible EMR, paper charts, or separate excel sheets to track client information, then there is a risk of burnout, the quality of treatment suffers, and a clinic's ability to meet its goals is at risk.

When an EMR is designed specifically for therapists and not just as an afterthought or an add-on option, our needs are truly addressed. An EMR platform that offers everything in one place makes the most sense.

Alleva's mission is to bring technology to therapists that actually improve their quality of work and takes the stress out of the work. Alleva works to make a system that is intuitive to your personal needs. If you are interested in a hassle-free demo or to learn more, reach out today.

February 14, 2022

Are Electronic Medical Records Safe and Confidential?

Although we may fear the opposite, the truth is that Electronic Medical Records, or EMR platforms, are safe and confidential.

January 4, 2022

Industry Outlook for 2022

The behavioral health market continues to face challenges, such as rising health care costs, pandemic socio-economic implications, and labor force attrition. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. Virtual care provides access to millions of people in need, and facilities with the right technological support are able to offer more equity, better quality, and increased value to their recovery programs.

Behavioral Health Market Growth

The critical importance of behavioral health is often downplayed because treatment is not as straightforward as other physical health conditions for which we have medicinal treatments. Treating depression or substance abuse requires psychological intervention, whereas diabetes does not. This is why the industry has historically faced greater challenges in funding, research, and authorization.

Over the past couple of years, however, we’ve seen a drastic increase in awareness as the need for intervention has grown. The ongoing plight of the pandemic and emerging variants of COVID-19 continue to cause massive challenges for treatment centers. Increased stress levels, the trauma of illness and isolation, economic uncertainty, and greater instability in people’s lives have all contributed to the overdose crisis we face. The essential care provided by treatment centers for those seeking addiction recovery is more critical than ever.

The rise in public acceptance of mental health treatment is making behavioral health care more accessible, thus increasing the market size. Experts estimate the behavioral health market will be worth approximately $240 billion by 2026. This fact attracts many operators to the space, but only those who adapt amid all the current challenges will make a real difference, providing quality care and support to those they serve.

Trends in Behavioral Health

While technology enables care providers to reach more people virtually, those integrating in-person care with remote support are having the most successful outcomes. In a post-pandemic future, the need to support workforce health, wellbeing, and safety will be a priority. Online resources, remote access, cloud-based documentation, and digital therapy, can bridge access gaps.

One of the best digital tools to help behavioral health management is an industry-specific electronic medical record (EMR) system. EMRs help to improve communication between patients and healthcare providers, increasing the efficacy and productivity of treatment centers. Alleva’s EMR is user-friendly and state of the art. With telehealth options through video conferencing, communication and scheduling are effortless. The Alleva EMR offers key features for compliance and documentation. Providers using efficient tools–such as medication management and reporting for business intelligence, producing data in easy-to-read formats–will discover they have more time available to spend with the people in their care.

The Alleva App also increases productivity by helping centers engage with clients, update assignments, send reminders and telehealth invites, even daily questionnaires, directly to clients’ phones. At a time when people are social distancing, this feature creates connection and improves communication.

Maximize Productivity in 2022

The behavioral health industry is growing thanks to an increased acceptance of mental health treatment. Digital EMR solutions like Alleva are perfectly poised to improve the industry for both patients and clinicians. Alleva is here to help behavioral health facilities reach all of their performance goals in 2022.

If you’d like to learn more, schedule a demo for Alleva and see how we help the helpers.

December 8, 2021

3 Tips to Finding Your Recovery Identity

Recovery can be a long road to walk, especially if you do it alone. Unfortunately, social isolation is a common characteristic of addiction, but it doesn’t have to be a part of recovery. In a recent study published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology, researchers found that connections with social groups help in the transition away from addiction and in creating a new social identity in recovery, or a recovery identity. These tips can be helpful for treatment planners, family and friends, and especially for those in recovery:

Recovery is more than just quitting.

An important step in addiction recovery is ceasing to abuse the substance or behavior. But this is rarely enough to ensure improvement and long-term recovery. The study found that “social relationships have been shown to have significant impacts upon health through behavioral, psychological, and physiological pathways.”

An addiction is not an identity.

It can be difficult to know who you are when it can often feel like your addiction defines you. Being a part of a group can help you find a new identity. The 12-step program can help you identify as a “recovering addict” and this has been shown to increase feelings of belonging and support. This can help you connect to others who are also recovering.

You are not just a “recovering addict”.

While this may be an important identity for you, being a member of multiple groups can lead to a healthy and balanced social identity, an identity that will take you beyond recovery.

The results of the study “also underscore the importance of social network diversity in recovery, indicating that it is important to foster connections with a range of groups beyond those solely associated with recovery.” Maintain connections with family and friends. Go to support groups. Join a softball team. Start a book club. Get involved and find your recovery identity.

Alleva is an EMR that puts people first. As part of the addiction recovery social circle, we are committed to connecting treatment centers and patients and helping them stay connected by providing the right tools for long-term recovery. Learn more about how we support behavioral health facilities with a demo of our products.

May 4, 2021

EMR vs EHR: What is the Difference?

EMR vs EHR: What is the difference? Actually, the two terms are significantly different. However, these terms are frequently confused because some in the industry use them synonymously. I'm here to help you understand how the two are different.

The easiest way I can help you know the difference is through the terms of medical and health. An EMR (electronic medical record) has a very specific focus on a patient's medical past. However, an EHR (electronic health record) looks at a much broader view of a patient's health as a whole.

If you use an EMR or EHR, is it digital or paper? Comment below with the answer. I'm just curious how many of you are using each one.

EMR vs EHR: What is an EMR?

EMRs are digital or electronic versions of paper records of a patient's medical history. So, if you're a clinician, you take and keep notes of your patient's medical past. This is usually diagnosis and treatment information. The federal government started pushing medical providers to use EMRs instead of paper records years ago.

There are several reasons for this:

Digital records provide more data that can be tracked over time
They help you as a health care professional get patients in for important preventative visits such as health screenings
Improves the quality of health care and patient monitoring

EMR vs EHR: What is an EHR?

The purpose of EHRs is to have more than just the usual medical data by having a more complete view of a patient's overall health. A good EHR will have all of the information from all of the medical professionals caring for a patient. But EHRs don't stop there. They also help you (the care provider) communicate and share patient information with other providers including laboratories, specialists, etc. Essentially, EHRs help you follow patients throughout their medical journey and make it easier for you to provide better care.

This is also incredibly useful if you're the patient because it prevents you from having to coordinate hospital visits and relay information from doctor to doctor. This was all started in the government's Meaningful Use program designed to help health care providers provide better care and lower costs. You can learn more about Meaningful Use here.

If you're looking for a new behavioral health EHR, you can learn what to look for here. One key thing to look for in an EHR is one that gives you a way to easily communicate about patients' needed care without violating HIPAA.

EMR vs EHR: How does an Electronic Health Record improve patient care?

The purpose of EMRs and EHRs is to correct inefficiencies. In addition to helping you communicate internally and with other medical practices about patients in a HIPAA compliant manner, they also do the following:

Reduce the time needed to pull charts
Improve access to complete patient data
Make scheduling appointments easier and more efficient
Give you remote access to your patients' charts
Help manage prescriptions
Cut down on duplicate testing. This saves you and the patient time and money
Improve relationships within your practice and other disciplines through better communication
Make it easier to pull a patient's chart information by removing handwritten information
Aid diagnosis by helping you see a patient's complete medical history
Track a patient's allergies and medications
Automatically check for problems and conflicts when a new medication is prescribed
Patients can log in and see their health records, test results, etc over time.

How are EMRs and EHRs interdependent?

By now you can probably see that even though the terms EMR and EHR are frequently used synonymously, they actually mean very difficult things. But they frequently work together. If you're looking for a new behavioral health or substance abuse EHR or EMR software, you can get a free demo of ours here. In the demo, you'll see how our EMR and EHR software work together.

So, how do EMRs and EHRs depend on each other? The answer is actually pretty simple. While an EMR is used primarily to look at a patient's health in that clinic, that information only tells part of the story. By sharing your patients' information with other practices, specialties, laboratories, etc., you're able to give them better, more complete care. This gives the patient less to keep track of in their medical care. They're interdependent because the EMR is needed to improve communication and coordination in a particular practice while the EHR then helps multiple practices communicate and coordinate patient care.

How much does it cost to implement an EHR system?

Now that you've seen how useful and effective EMRs and EHRs can be for your medical practice if you don't have an EHR, you should get one, and it should be a great one. But how much does it cost to implement an EHR system?

According to HealthIT.gov, there are five core areas of EHR implementation that will help you get an approximate cost. Keep in mind that these costs are related to ambulatory primary cost settings.

EHR Software: Your potential costs associated with an EHR software include an EHR app, upgrades to your EHR app, and interface modules. Don't forget that software costs can range greatly depending on whether you have an on-site EHR or a SaaS EHR.
Hardware: Hardware costs include desktop and laptop computers, scanners, printers, tablets, database servers, and more.
Help with Implementation: You may also incur costs helping with the implementation of your new EHR. These vary from IT contractors, electricians, consultant support, attorneys, hardware installation, workflow redesign and more. If you're in the mental health and addiction recovery field, we can help. If not, your Regional Extension Center, aka REC, is a great place to start. Reach out to them to see if you're eligible to get free support.
Training: When you're setting up a new EHR, you and your staff should absolutely get trained on how to use it. Fortunately, any good EHR vendor will provide this training as part of their service. We definitely do. When you're considering various EHR vendors, ask around and check their reviews to make sure they provide in-depth and thorough training.
Ongoing Maintenance Fees: There can be a lot of fees down the line including software and hardware licensing agreements, continued education of staff, IT support fees, training of new staff, and more.

The Michigan Center for Effective IT Adoption estimates your costs would be as follows.

In-office:

Upfront: $33,000
Yearly: $4,000
5-year TCO (Total Cost Ownership): $48,000

SaaS:

Upfront: $26,000
Yearly: $8,000
5-year TCO: $58,000

EMR vs EHR Conclusion

In conclusion. the difference between an EMR vs EHR is simply this: EMRs are set up to improve communication in a single medical practice while EHRs work to improve the overall health of the patient.

EMRs and EHRs should work together to make life easier for the patient, such as appointment scheduling between doctors, specialists, etc., and for medical professionals, so they can coordinate with other doctors and offices on things like prescribed medication, treatment, etc.

If you're looking for a behavioral health or substance abuse treatment software EHR or EMR, we can help with a free demo. Just fill out the form below or give us a call and we'll schedule a free demo. Whether you go with us or another vendor, be sure to get a cost estimate beforehand on implementation.

March 3, 2021

What People Are Saying About Alleva

Meet Marcello!

Marcello La Rocca

Co-founder of Sandstone Care

Partnering with Alleva EMR Helps Your Organization Grow

Discover how Sandstone Care's partnership with Alleva supported their growth and improved the overall care they are able to provide.

People operating behavioral health facilities spend too much of their precious time using a record-keeping system that is slow, outdated, and cumbersome.

Switching to Alleva EMR saves them time and money, helping them to maximize efficiency and provide better care.

Why Partner with Alleva?

We are the friendliest EMR in Behavioral Health.

Also, the most advanced, mobile-responsive, supportive, and robust EMR on the market.

Don't take our word for it. We have hundreds of clients that have benefited from our easy-to-use system. Read some of what they say here.

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