Robotic process automation (RPA) uses algorithms to automate repetitive tasks. Its main objective is to minimize human intervention while enhancing productivity. Typically, RPA does not include the use of a real robot in the facility; it’s a piece of software that’s been programmed to carry out specific tasks. They can be as straightforward as sending an automated response email or as complex as analyzing administrative data.
RPA helps healthcare providers to track and document each step in structured log files in order to meet external audit requirements. RPA improves data confidentiality because these processes are handled by bots.
COVID-19 Accelerates Automation
COVID-19 has touched every industry on the planet, and it has wreaked major havoc on the healthcare industry’s regular operations. According to a recent World Health Organization survey, nearly half of the countries studied (49%) reported difficulties in managing diabetes. Forty-two percent of those polled said they had difficulty treating cancer, while 31% were unable to perform effectively in the event of a cardiovascular emergency. The pandemic has resulted in a backlog of 12 million canceled appointments in the United Kingdom alone. Healthcare providers are turning to automation for a variety of reasons, which is unsurprising.
The Cleveland Clinic is a stellar example of the way that RPA can help increase efficiency in healthcare. The Clinic was one of the hospitals that offered approved COVID-19 drive-through testing when the epidemic struck. All patients who came in for testing had to be entered in the hospital’s database. The creation of testing kit labels for each individual was taken up by healthcare administrators. This manual approach resulted in labeling inaccuracies and six-hour wait times.
Until the Cleveland Clinic chose to use RPA in healthcare, the situation was grueling. The Clinic installed a software robot in 48 hours and began managing patient data registration and labeling activities. These tasks took about three minutes for humans to complete. They could be cleared in sixteen seconds with no mistakes by the robot.
RPA has emerged as a new disruptive technology in the corporate world, bringing with it an unprecedented level of innovation. During the pandemic, it has become useful in a variety of industries, including healthcare, education, and politics. RPA robots assisted governments and businesses in tracking clients, optimizing supply chain procedures, assisting students and teachers in online classes, and responding to a surge in online shopping demand.
Some Healthcare Organizations Still Have Concerns
Automated healthcare systems have numerous advantages, including less manual labor, improved patient satisfaction, and increased workforce productivity. Clinics, on the other hand, are not rushing into automation. Their concerns are::
- Potential employment loss: Out of fear of losing their jobs, healthcare providers may refuse to collaborate with RPA software or even attempt to sabotage it. RPA can replace many mundane activities, but it cannot mimic human cognitive functions.
- Initial costs of investment and maintenance: Significant funds are required for automation. A bot can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $15,000, according to Deloitte. Even when the solution is in place, manufacturers can continue to charge for product maintenance and software updates. Managers must determine when the RPA profit will cover the initial investment.
- Possibility of failure: 30–50% of robotic automation efforts fail, according to some studies. Failure might be due to a technological or human factor. Managers, for example, may overlook their clinic’s IT infrastructure when investing in software robots, or they may automate the incorrect duties. The human component is also important; if managers do not combine automation measures with cultural change, employees may refuse to participate.
Factors to Consider for a Successful RPA Integration
RPA isn’t the only solution to pandemic-related problems. However, it is worth a shot, and the healthcare industry is well aware of this. According to Gartner’s research, RPA is on the upswing in the healthcare industry, with 50% of US healthcare providers planning to invest in RPA in the next three years. This figure is ten times higher than it was at the start of the year 2020.
Consider the following when embarking on RPA projects:
- What are your short- and long-term aims for automation?
- Which of your tasks would you like to automate first?
- Will the new software be compatible with your existing IT infrastructure, and what additional IT resources will you need to acquire?
- What impact will the current RPA project have on your team?
Don’t try to automate your most difficult and time-consuming activity initially. Find the low-hanging fruit with the most repetitious, manual steps that are most annoying for end users. You should also choose a dependable RPA partner to ensure you aren’t facing it alone. Softeq industrial automation, for example, provides all of the services you require under one roof. We are also hardware experts. We can provide PCB design services and electronic circuit design services.
5 Examples: How to Use RPA Applications in Healthcare
1. Hit the high points of the patients’ schedules.
Online scheduling can be made easier with software robots. Diagnoses, locations, insurance carriers, personal preferences, and other information collected via the appointment request can be compiled into a report and submitted to a referral management professional who will schedule the appointment.
2. More efficient supply chain management (claims and billing)
Claims administration consumes a significant amount of time for healthcare managers, since several sub-processes must be managed, including inputting, processing, assessing, and dealing with appeals. Automation can result in significantly quicker and error-free processing, relieving administrators of a substantial workload.
3. Enhance revenue cycle processes (new patient appointment requests, patient pre-arrival and arrival, claim denials, billing)
Many code changes are common throughout revenue cycles, which can be taxing on the system. Robotic process automation (RPA) is the best way to provide a smooth transition to these changes and, as a result, overall coherence. Data digitization and the automation of repetitive operations like accounts payable facilitate these administrative processes.
4. Facilitate the implementation of health plans on a broad scale
RPA in healthcare improves patient record management (thanks to technological attributes such as high accuracy and low human error), resulting in more standardized, patient-specific paths to desired health goals.
5. Optimization of the health-care cycle
This is one great result of continual monitoring of records that can be achieved by better RPA data analysis. Analyzing large quantities of data increases the chances of a more accurate diagnosis, which leads to better-tailored treatment plans.
6. Improved regulatory adherence
Robotic process automation (RPA) guarantees that all process stages are recorded, traceable, and documented, and that they are organized systematically in well-structured logs. This helps the healthcare firm maintain a semi-permanent readiness to cope with external audits, even if they are unexpected.
Bottom Line
The healthcare industry, according to McKinsey, has the potential to automate roughly 36% of its operations. In the healthcare industry, RPA can assist with claim processing, ensuring that an organization follows industry norms, and even taking over some HR-related jobs.
