New SVMIC Tool Helps Assess, Avoid Common Missteps
In the highly regulated healthcare industry, it's far too easy for a medical practice to accidentally overlook a necessary posting or updated compliance mandate among the long list of requirements that stem from multiple government agencies ranging from CMS to OSHA. Unfortunately, even small missteps can result in hefty fines.
Meghan Clark
Enter RiskView by SVMIC, a new 3D virtual reality tool that walks practice managers through a traditional physician office with audio scripts and downloadable resources referencing regulatory mandates and best practices to create an immersive experience. Meghan Clark, learning systems manager for SVMIC, noted the new interactive, self-guided tool is based on the same technology real estate agents use for virtual home tours and was created using a 3D Matterport camera.
As users navigate through the different spaces typically found in an office or clinic, Clark explained purple dots on the screen link to audio scripts describing requirements for specific areas - from public spaces like the front desk, waiting room and exam rooms to behind-the-scenes spaces including administrative offices and onsite lab space. Blue dots, she continued, link to downloadable resources on the SVMIC website for additional detail and guidance.
"The idea stemmed from an internal employee," Clark said of the impetus to make years of risk mitigation expertise more readily available to stakeholders. While RiskView wasn't developed as a replacement for a personal consultation - a service SVMIC has offered for many years to help reduce risk in medical offices - the technology provides valuable information and updates to reinforce onsite observations and to provide guidance between visits. Clark said the tool will also serve to extend risk assessment and patient safety expertise to more practices.
"Consultations cover a lot of ground," Clark pointed out. "You don't remember everything," she added of the need to fill in gaps in notes. Can't remember what the consultant said about the refrigerator or which posting had to be put in the break room? RiskView can provide a quick reminder by logging in and hovering over the areas of concern.
Updated as regulations and requirements change, it also serves as an ongoing resource for all users, regardless of participation in an on-site consultation. Clark said RiskView's goal is to reach a wide audience and to serve varying purposes to match needs.
She noted the virtual practice navigation platform has allowed SVMIC to take a large body of professional resources developed over time and to organize a large portion of that information in one, easy-t0-access place. Another benefit of RiskView is that it's available at policyholders' and their practice administrator's convenience and can be referenced whenever needed.
"The whole purpose is risk mitigation," said Clark. "Our policyholders don't have to pay for it ... it's just an added benefit."
While access to the full platform requires logging into the SVMIC member portal, anyone interested in seeing how RiskView works can sample the program by going online to home.svmic.com/#riskview (a link to the sample waiting room tour is also available at the end of the online version of this article at NashvilleMedicalNews.com).
"RiskView is intended to assist policyholders with improving patient care and reducing liability exposure in an online format that is easily accessible," concluded Clark. "We are excited to release this new tool and look forward to continuing our search for new and creative ways to share our professional resources and make risk mitigation an easier part of our policyholders' day."
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