
We have been studying and developing policy management software for well over a decade and our offering, PolicyManager™ , is the result of this evolution. The one thing we have learned is that, when it comes to software, it is never a one size fits all scenario. It is safe to say that the main steer in our development comes from our customers’ needs and wants, the result of which is that the product we have developed may not be ideal for other healthcare providers. In this article, I will explain what features can make for a good policy manager solution, so that you know what to look for when shopping around for a policy management solution.
In today’s healthcare space, there are more and more policies to manage, which can understandably make life difficult for healthcare workers. Fortunately, the best policy management software solutions offer a number of features that greatly aid this problem.
What Features Makes A Software Solution A Good Policy Manager?
Workflow Collaboration: Updates and notifications can be shared, leading to clear communication among your policy committees. Workflows can standardize the way a policy is revised each time. This greatly helps with policy management, as it means individuals can work on documents without having to do so in the same time or place.
Office Suite Integration: Having software that is integrated with common office suites, such as Microsoft office, allows for a seamless process, and guarantees policy version control.
Automated Notifications: Out-dated policies are a major concern when it comes to policies. This feature means that outdated policies will not go unnoticed by those reviewing policies. Automatic email notifications highlight which policies are in need of review.
Version Control: One of the biggest drawbacks of using a paper and binder system is the danger of having numerous versions of a policy, or indeed accessing the wrong version. Having version control means that accessing previous versions of a policy for the next unannounced auditor visit requires just one click of a button.
Custom Reporting: While perhaps not essential, this feature is very useful for policy management in terms of intel. It allows you to create custom reports based on the data that is most relevant to healthcare organizations. Good solutions should offer reporting capabilities that were built with your compliance, quality and accreditation goals in mind.
Regulatory Standard Links: In order to make sure that your facility is fully compliant, it greatly helps to have documents that can be mapped to the appropriate regulation or standard.
Easy Attestation: Let’s face it, the easier something is to do, the more likely individuals are to complete it. This is why a policy manager user loves easy attestation. Good software should allow an ever-ready state of compliance by having easy attestation, ensuring staff have completed what they were supposed to.
Accessibility, Usability & One-Click Searching: Many healthcare workers are very busy and/or have little IT experience. Therefore, software that is designed with this in mind should have great usability and a very robust search function. The ease and speed of access to content means users don’t waste time or become frustrated.
Controlled Access: Administrators have full control over granting users, or groups of users, different levels of access to read and edit documents, thus increasing overall security and privacy.
Is PolicyManager™ The Right Policy Manager For You?
At PolicyMedical, we strive to develop powerful policy management software in order to help healthcare facilities to better manage their policies and procedure documents. Our cloud-based system is extremely easy to implement, without compromising the security of your documents. It is through our best intentions that we continue to help healthcare facilities establish a culture of compliance so they can achieve their objectives. However, despite our best efforts, we realize we cannot cater to every organization’s needs and that there may be another vendor that can offer a better suited product. Regardless, we are more than happy to help you come to a conclusion, even if it means another vendor is the right option. Please, do not hesitate to contact us, should you need any guidance. Alternatively, you can book a free demo to see our solutions in action.