As healthcare becomes more digital, leaders are turning to tools like FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources), automation, and interoperability to improve how health data is managed and how the revenue cycle operates.
In a recent episode of The MRO Exchange podcast, I spoke with Prudence Budemer, Director of Revenue Cycle Services at CHRISTUS Health, about how her organization is using FHIR-based technology to streamline medical record retrieval. With support from MRO, CHRISTUS has implemented an auto retrieval system that leverages FHIR APIs to securely and efficiently fulfill medical record requests from payers and other authorized entities.
Key Improvements at CHRISTUS Health with Auto Retrieval Implementation:
- Faster turnaround times: Record requests are now processed in 1.8 days on average.
- High automation success: 88% of requests are now handled automatically.
- Greater satisfaction: Both internal teams and requesters are seeing better experiences.
Prudence, a seasoned healthcare professional, shared how this initiative helped modernize outdated processes, improve patient identity management, and reduce manual work—all critical for a smooth revenue cycle.
Lessons Learned Through Implementation:
- Early IT involvement is crucial. Not engaging IT from the start led to delays, but collaboration helped realign efforts quickly.
- Automating routine tasks freed up staff for more valuable work, leading to labor savings.
- FHIR-based tools also helped uncover and fix data issues during their switch to Epic, improving long-term data quality.
- Payers are asking for more access to electronic health records, and with FHIR technology, CHRISTUS was able to meet those needs in a secure, controlled way, while preserving data privacy and reducing friction with insurers.
Looking Ahead:
CHRISTUS is expanding the use of auto retrieval across its entire network and plans to use it for even more use cases, like Continuity of Care (CoC).
In summary, if your organization is considering automated technology, specifically for the ROI process, remember these key tips:
- Get IT involved early.
- Start small but plan for growth.
- Track clear success metrics.
- Look for unexpected benefits like better data and labor savings.
- Keep control over your clinical data access points.
CHRISTUS Health’s journey demonstrates how the smart use of FHIR and automation can improve both compliance and operations. Organizations that embrace these tools and work with trusted partners like MRO can lead the way in transforming healthcare data management.
To listen to the full podcast and hear insights into leveraging automation technology, click here.
