Medical scribing is the process of charting and documenting the words and actions of a doctor, surgeon, nurse practitioner, or other medical professional. Typically, the medical professional does the scribing or has a medical scribe observe their actions in the operating room.
However, MedVirtual is revolutionizing medical documentation through virtual medical scribes. A virtual medical scribe performs all the duties of traditional medical scribes but with one key difference: they do not need to be physically present in the room. Whether in a physician’s office, outpatient clinic, or operating room, a virtual medical scribe fulfills all the responsibilities of an in-person medical scribe.
What is a Virtual Medical Scribe?
Simply put, a virtual medical scribe is a trained professional who documents a healthcare provider’s words and actions during patient visits in real time. While becoming a medical scribe in the United States doesn’t require a college degree, many positions do require certification, such as becoming a Certified Medical Scribe Specialist. Much like a courtroom stenographer, a medical scribe records everything that occurs during the patient encounter.
A virtual medical scribe in the U.S. must take precise and thorough notes to ensure accurate clinical documentation. This is essential not only for ongoing patient care and treatment but also for legal protection in cases of malpractice claims. Detailed and accurate notes allow physicians to review their patient interactions and justify medical decisions. The role of a high-quality virtual medical scribe is vital, and MedVirtual employs some of the best professionals in the healthcare industry.
How Does the Virtual Medical Scribing Process Work?
Modern technology has made it possible for a virtual medical scribe to be every bit as present and accurate in their charting as an in-person medical scribe. The examining professionals will record their visits with various patients through audio or visual recording equipment. The virtual medical scribe can watch or listen to these recordings live or after the appointment.
The virtual medical scribe will then document each doctor’s patient interactions, exactly as if they were there in person. Scribing in this manner will offer the patient’s privacy and allow you to see as many patients as possible. Doctors who do their scribing usually can’t see as many patients as others perform this task.
What are the Responsibilities of a Virtual Medical Scribe?
The goal of a virtual medical scribe is to make the doctors’ life easier. To do this, here is a list of responsibilities typically assigned to a virtual medical scribe.
- To provide detailed documentation of a doctor’s interaction with their patient.
- To keep careful track and record a patient’s medical history, lab, and test reports, and to discharge that information when necessary.
- To carefully research any information that a medical provider requests.
- To assist the doctor in filling out any charts, forms, or documentation necessary.
- To respond to messages and questions for the doctor regarding the patient in question.
An important distinction between medical scribes and medical transcribers is that scribes have more duties than transcribers. While a medical transcriber records and copies information, a medical scribe takes it one step further. They’re also responsible for copying and interpreting interactions between a doctor and a patient and creating a document containing pertinent information. This includes coding and billing information, which then gets sent down the line to MedVirtual’s virtual billings and claims department.
What are the Advantages of Having a Virtual Medical Scribe from MedVirtual?
Choosing to use a virtual medical scribe from MedVirtual has several advantages instead of going the traditional route.
- Your Patients Will Have an Increased Feeling of Privacy and Security: Because all of our scribes are virtual, your patients will feel safe and secure. A virtual scribe decreases the number of people present where there would normally be a doctor, patient, medical scribe, and possibly a transcriber in the room. Our medical scribes at MedVirtual can fulfill the duties of scribe and transcriber, meaning it only has to be you and your patient during their visit.
- You’ll Get Real-Time EMR Updates: In most cases, when a doctor does their scribing, they have to wait until the end of the day to do their charting. However, virtual medical scribing from MedVirtual will offer emergency medical record updates as they happen. You can have your virtual medical scribe observing live or send them a recording immediately after the appointment. Either way, their EMR will be updated sooner than if you did it at the end of the day.
- Chart Completion That’s Prompt, Thorough, and Accurate: Our virtual medical scribes are trained and certified medical professionals for medical charting. You can rest assured that your charting will be completed in a timely and accurate manner.
- Your Patients’ Security is Paramount to Us: If you’re worried about the idea of live-casting or sending out recordings of your patient interactions, then don’t be. MedVirtual guarantees the privacy of your internet connection between you and your virtual medical scribe. You won’t have to worry about your patient interactions being leaked to the public when MedVirtual is involved.
- HIPAA Compliant in All Regards: MedVirtual's virtual scribes' medical scribing and transcription are 100% HIPAA compliant.
- You’ll Save Money That You Can Direct Elsewhere: One of the biggest advantages of going with a virtual medical scribe from MedVirtual is the savings you’ll receive. Not only do we save you time that you can spend with other patients, but we also save you big bucks. We have a flat rate starting at just the hourly minimum wage for your state that we pay our medical scribes, whereas traditional medical scribes make anywhere between $20 and $25 per hour. You can redirect those savings back into your practice or wherever you desire.
MedVirtual is an industry leader when it comes to virtual medical scribes. If you’re tired of doing all your charting and recording or overspending on a traditional scribe, give MedVirtual’s virtual medical scribes a chance. We guarantee that you won’t regret it!
