Kevin Hopkins, MD, recently told Forbes magazine that he's seen a major increase in productivity at his surgery center through the use of just one medical scribe.
In fact, Dr. Hopkins said, he's experienced about a 40 percent raise in output ever since he hired a medical assistant to lighten his paperwork load. Of course, as he's been freed up, the family medicine doctor has been able to see more patients, as well.
Dr. Hopkins, who serves as medical director for Strongsville Family Health Center, a family health and ambulatory surgery center in Ohio, isn't alone in his desire to hire some much-needed data input help.
Apparently, there is a burgeoning cottage industry where companies hire out scribes to doctors like Dr. Hopkins who are overwhelmed with the burdens of bureaucracy. The American College of Medical Scribe Specialists heralds that, by the end of the decade, the number of scribes will quintuple — from about 20,000 scribes now to 100,000 scribes.
Chief operating and financial officer for scribe staffing agency eScribe Sam Jones told Forbes his company is usually employing people who are typically working only about 20 hours a week in conjunction with some other job or school.
For more general ASC news:
Hartford County Ambulatory Surgery Center recovering after fire — 6 key facts
5 key points on Medical Facilities Corporation's automatic purchase plan for debentures
15 statistics on ASC payer mix