Actionable, high-quality, real-time data help agents in the transfer center make efficient, informed decisions as they move patients throughout the health system. This enables them to avoid overloading any one facility, and rather balance transfer requests so clinicians are not overwhelmed, and patients receive timely care. Quantifiable, easily interpretable results allow for swift, accurate decisions based on individual patient needs, doctor availability, and the ability to accommodate new patients.

To support such decisions, data available should include comprehensive patient history, conditions, medications and past encounters, in addition to information on facility and physician capacity. In some cases, the right care choice is to keep the patient away from higher-cost settings. The health system needs to assist with those types of decisions, too, by facilitating a rapid consult with a physician specialist who can view data and recommend safe and effective next steps.

Technology to support clinician expertise
Standardized and optimized processes ensure every patient receives high-quality care, and helps ensure that both patients and referring physicians have a positive experience. Automation also allows agents to spend less time on repetitive data entry, eliminates the need for switching between multiple screens and systems, and reduces their overall cognitive workload.

Automated workflows support rather than supplant the essential human element behind enabling care access. Electronic transportation orders that auto-populate information about patients such as medication lists, medical history, last seen details, and more, save time so access center agents and clinicians can find the best solution, customized for each patient.

Less time searching for and inputting data means the clinicians involved in coordinating critical patient transfers can practice to the top of their license, using problem-solving skills, judgement and communication, which again supports an improved service experience for referring physicians and their patients.

Reporting for continuous improvement
Healthcare leaders can use the real-time data that the transfer center technology captures to analyze both clinical and financial ROI. They can also use those data to pinpoint missed care access opportunities and take corrective action to reduce network leakage and repatriate patients who have received care from another health system.

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