Automating the business office

To measure the success of automating the business office with electronic billing and document management systems, the hospital's original goals were reviewed: Had the number of FTEs been maintained or reduced: Yes--claims volume is up 58% over 6 years with a 22% reduction in FTEs (see Exhibit 3). Was the cost of maintaining the paper filing system reduced? Yes--and the cost saving from the hospital's document imaging system will allow a 4.4 year payback. Is better customer service being provided? Yes--online access to patient demographic and financial information has improved response time. Having met all its goals, North Kansas City Hospital considers the installation of both systems to have been complete success. The facility expects to continue expansion of the document management system into accounts payable, payroll, home health, and other document-intensive areas to achieve further cost savings in the future.