Oncology Transcription Service Can Resolve Documentation Challenges in the Oncology Office

Patient documentation is an integral element in providing quality cancer care. Moreover, with health care moving to a pay for performance landscape, oncology practices need to respond to quality metrics and ensure adherence to evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to receive reimbursement. The electronic medical record (EMR) is a reliable tool for managing patient data, but it has its limitations. Professional oncology transcription services help overcome the challenges of documentation in hospitals, medical centers, and individual and group practices by ensuring clearly transcribed patient reports at every point of interaction as well as accurate data entry in EMRs.

Critical Components of Patient Documentation in Oncology

The critical components of oncology documentation include:

Specifying what happens during the clinical visit

Indicating clearly why a particular procedure or service is being performed

Documenting treatment administered

Documenting stage

A study published in the Journal of Oncology Practice reported that poor documentation prevented the proper assessment of quality metrics in colorectal cancer. Stage is critical in oncology both for care and quality assessment. Therefore, the study pointed out that oncologists need to be thoroughly aware of the need to document and determine stage, and also have systems in place to make staging efficient and convenient.

How Partnering with the Right Oncology Transcription Company Helps

Electronic medical record (EMR) systems have done away with the use of paper and allow patient data to be stored efficiently. Improved systems can store approved treatment protocols, thereby helping providers navigate the complications of oncology treatment plans, including the need to administer multiple medications at various intervals and chemotherapy cycles. However, the completeness and quality of the EMR also depends on the accuracy and comprehensiveness of data entry. This is where the role of an experienced medical transcription company becomes relevant.

An established oncology transcription service provider would have a team of transcriptionists skilled in transcribing physician dictation pertaining to all types of reports pertaining to care for cancer patients.

With in-depth knowledge of the terminology and jargon associated with cancer diagnosis, therapy, and procedures, they would be able to provide accurate transcripts of various types of cancer such as leukemia, sarcoma, breast cancer, bronchogenic lung carcinoma, colorectal cancer and more. They can enter information into the EMR and also edit and proofread already entered data for accuracy.

Turnaround time (TAT) is the most critical aspect when it comes to delivering radiation oncology reports to the physician. TAT refers to the amount of time it takes a radiologist to read a study and return the diagnosis to the referring physician. A reliable oncology transcription company can help radiologists deliver these reports in minimum TAT – without compromising on accuracy.