In the realm of pediatric care, every detail counts. From tracking growth charts to managing complex vaccine schedules and everything in between, the unique needs of young patients demand specialized tools and expertise. Etowah Pediatrics, a thriving practice in Rainbow City, Alabama, recognized this early on. While some pediatric practices opt to use “generic”, one-size-fits-all EHRs, Etowah Pediatrics took a different path. They made the forward-thinking decision to leapfrog the limitations of more generic systems and embrace a pediatric-specialty EHR to manage every aspect of their practice’s clinical, operational, and financial needs.

Choosing a Pediatric-Focused Solution

Adult-centric EHR limitations extend beyond mere inconvenience. They often lack essential pediatric features, such as specialized growth charts, vaccine management tools, automated school and camp forms, and age-appropriate developmental screening templates. This can often lead to inefficiencies, errors, and, ultimately, compromised care.

Etowah Pediatrics recognized that a one-size-fits-all EHR wouldn’t effectively support the needs of their practice or their patients. Instead, they chose to invest in a solution that aligned perfectly with the unique workflows and requirements that all pediatric practices face. Dr. Ben Hester, owner of the practice, reflects, “We knew that starting with a pediatric-specific EHR would be a better long-term investment. We wanted a system that spoke our language, understood our challenges, and empowered us to provide the best possible care to our young patients.”

The OP Pediatric Difference

Etowah Pediatrics ultimately chose OP, a pediatric-specific EHR designed to address the unique challenges of pediatric care head-on. Shelly Hester, the practice administrator, recalls, “The moment we started using OP, it was like a lightbulb went off. Everything just clicked. It was designed by people who understood pediatrics, with features like specialized growth charts, vaccine management tools, and intuitive templates specifically made for well-child visits.”

Because OP’s comprehensive features are tailored to the pediatric workflow, it transformed how Etowah Pediatrics manages all aspects of patient care. Some of the key benefits include:

• Streamlined Workflows: With features like integrated vaccine management tools, automated reminders for well-child visits and immunizations, and customizable growth charts, OP dramatically improved efficiency and accuracy, ensuring that every child received the highest standard of care – right on schedule.

• Enhanced Patient Care: OP’s pre-built templates – including those for sick visits and the AAP preventive care schedules – allow providers to document visits quickly and thoroughly, freeing up more time for patient interaction.

• Increased Patient Satisfaction: Parents appreciated the streamlined check-in process and the ability to easily access their child’s health information at their convenience through an integrated, online patient portal. And, with less time spent on administrative tasks, the staff could focus on creating a positive and welcoming environment for children and families.
• Data-Driven Insights: OP’s robust reporting capabilities provided valuable data on practice performance, patient outcomes, and quality measures, allowing Etowah Pediatrics to make informed decisions and continually improve its services.
• Supporting Independence: By partnering with a vendor who understood the unique challenges of independent pediatric practices, Etowah Pediatrics was able to maintain its autonomy and focus on what it does best – providing exceptional care for the children in their community.

Creating a Positive Patient Experience

Etowah Pediatrics didn’t just see improvements in documentation and efficiency – they also noticed a positive shift in the overall patient experience. With OP’s user-friendly patient portal, parents could easily schedule appointments, access test results, and communicate with providers. The practice even leveraged OP’s features to create a fun and engaging “Under the Sea” themed clinic for kindergarten-aged children who need back-to-school physicals and immunizations, transforming a potentially stressful event into a positive one for children and families alike.

Celebrating Success: A Community “Under the Sea”

OP played a pivotal role in orchestrating the massive undertaking for the annual kindergarten readiness event, where the practice sees more than 200 children in just two days.

The first step was utilizing OP’s Demographic Analysis and Recall (DAR) report to effortlessly identify all four-year-old patients due for their checkups. The practice then initiated contact with families, scheduling appointments specifically for the clinic days.

During the clinic, OP’s customizable workflows guided staff through each child’s visit, ensuring nothing was missed. The EHR’s vaccine module ensured accurate administration and documentation of immunizations and updated inventory in real-time to ensure enough stock was on hand. Integrated Bright Futures templates, growth charts, and developmental screening tools provided a comprehensive picture of each child’s health and made documentation a breeze. OP’s flexibility allowed them to track the flow of children through different stations, ensuring a smooth and efficient process.

The result? A successful, stress-free clinic that not only met the health needs of the children but also created a positive association with healthcare visits — a win-win for everyone!

A Game-Changer for Pediatric Care

The decision to invest in a pediatric-specific EHR has been a highly transformative experience for Etowah Pediatrics. Dr. Hester sums it up best, saying, “OP has been a game-changer for our practice. It’s more than just an EHR; it’s a partner that understands our unique needs and empowers us to deliver the best possible care to our patients. OP makes my job easier and supports our practice’s profitability so we can remain independent.” 

Etowah Pediatrics’ story is a testament to the power of choosing the right tools for the job. By embracing a specialized EHR designed for the unique needs of pediatric care, they’ve not only improved their own operations but have also elevated the level of care they provide to their community’s youngest members.

To learn more about Etowah Pediatrics’ journey with OP and the transformative power of a pediatric-specific EHR, read the full client success story here.

EHRs are the key to streamlining operations, identifying efficiencies and gaps in care, and freeing up valuable time for you and your staff. OP’s pediatric-specialty EHR offers features designed to help keep your practice’s financial and clinical operations running smoothly so you can focus on your patients. Contact us today to learn how Office Practicum can help your pediatric practice operate at its best.