Agencies Embrace AI to Reduce Documentation Time
10/26/24 Home health care is facing significant pressures, from Medicare rate cuts and Medicare Advantage penetration to staffing shortages and regulatory challenges. However, Pinnacle Home Care (one of Florida’s largest home health agencies) CEO Shane Donaldson sees emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), as a solution to these challenges, transforming them from barriers to opportunities for growth and profitability in the home health sector.
Donaldson emphasizes the need for providers to adapt to change, noting, “If you don’t like change, you’re going to hate extinction.” He believes that by leveraging technology to reduce repetitive tasks and improve workflow efficiency, providers can shift from “surviving to thriving.” Through automation, clinicians could see more relief in their daily routines, allowing them to focus on quality care rather than being bogged down by administrative tasks.
Reflecting on his experience as a clinician, Donaldson describes the typical day for many in-home health care: a morning full of patient visits, followed by a late evening of scheduling, voicemails, and documentation tasks. He notes that current technologies have the potential to simplify at least two major aspects of this workflow. For example, scheduling software can automate patient visit arrangements, eliminating the need for clinicians to manage logistics during their personal time. Likewise, advancements in documentation software could potentially reduce time spent on documentation by up to two-thirds. This reduction in administrative burdens allows clinicians to spend more time with their families and recharge for the next day, rather than working “third shifts” at night.
Pinnacle Home Care’s collaboration with companies like KanTime underscores Donaldson’s commitment to innovation. He has partnered with them to refine and expand scheduling automation, enabling clinicians to focus on patient care. This focus on clinician-friendly technology is strategic: Donaldson believes that by resolving scheduling and documentation pain points, home health organizations can significantly improve clinician retention. In a sector where high turnover rates are common, providing a smoother, technology-supported workflow can make an organization a top choice for professionals.
Pinnacle’s merger with HCS-Girling, a New York-based home care company, reflects their shared commitment to growth and innovation. By partnering with an organization that values expansion and operational efficiency, Pinnacle aims to capitalize on new market opportunities. While their immediate focus is on expanding in Florida, Donaldson hints at broader regional growth, potentially moving into neighboring Certificate of Need states.
Donaldson’s commitment to staying in his company’s core competency, skilled home health, has also shaped Pinnacle’s strategy. After briefly expanding into private duty care, Pinnacle reverted to focusing solely on skilled home health, a move driven by Donaldson’s belief in the importance of specialization. Florida’s complex regulatory landscape, especially regarding Medicaid and Certificate of Need requirements, further supports his decision to concentrate on what Pinnacle does best.
Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) is another area where Pinnacle has set itself apart. Having operated in Florida, a VBP demonstration state, Pinnacle has developed a system to ensure quality outcomes without overburdening clinicians. Rather than leaving the intricacies of the OASIS assessment strictly to clinicians, Pinnacle utilizes “home health agents” who assist in completing these assessments. This approach minimizes the risk of clinician error, ensures compliance, and supports consistent quality metrics, all of which are crucial in a value-based care model.
For home health therapists, Donaldson’s insights underscore the importance of being open to new technologies. Embracing innovation not only supports better patient outcomes but also directly addresses clinician well-being by easing administrative burdens. In a rapidly evolving sector, staying current with advancements like scheduling and documentation tools can enhance job satisfaction and help therapists navigate the demands of modern home health care