A new technology developed SVMIC, a medical malpractice insurance company in Tennessee, addresses the growing need for accessible options for navigating office-based care and the administrative responsibilities associated with running a medical practice. Called RiskView, the internet-based tool is a virtual, 3-D self-guided tour of a medical practice that gives users an opportunity to navigate through typical rooms of a medical office. The tool shows highlighted areas of liability.
RiskView is intended to assist policyholders with improving patient care and reducing liability exposure in an online format that is easy to access. "We are excited to release this, as we are always striving to create new ways to share our resources and to help make risk mitigation easier for our policyholders," says Anne Grissom, SVMIC Communication Specialist.
For many years, SVMIC has offered on-site risk-reduction assessments for medical offices. RiskView has taken this traditional service and configured it to an online experience where the user can view recommended systems, clinic setup, and processes that would be addressed in an SVMIC assessment of a medical practice.
"In this new, virtual consultation, SVMIC is able to reach more practices with recommendations and resources. In turn, many physicians and practice managers will benefit from SVMIC's experience and knowledge in the area of risk mitigation and patient safety," says Meghan Clark, Learning Systems Manager. "Whether you are looking for information on required postings and notifications, guidance on documentation practices and retention, or HIPAA and OSHA compliance requirements, RiskView can help."
The self-guided virtual medical practice tour highlights areas of liability that often are overlooked. "Viewers use this 3-D model as a resource to review SVMIC's professional recommendations such as human resources, record retention, risk management, and more," Grissom says. "This resource addresses basic risk management concepts and best practices in medical offices and is intended to assist SVMIC policyholders with improving care and minimizing liability."
The format of the tool is similar to the technology used in online real estate sites that give virtual tours of homes for sale. Users can use the tool at their own pace and can come and go without losing information. RiskView will be on the SVMIC's website and on the policyholder portal, so it will be easy to find. "This tool was developed as a supplemental resource that can provide information any time in an interactive, office-based setup," Clark says."
To access RiskView, policyholders can go to the SVMIC website at www.svmic.com. All users will see an abbreviated version of the tour, and SVMIC members can log in to see the comprehensive office tour and associated resources. To move around the site, click the white circles on the floor of the online office. The purple circles allow the user to hear audio clips that relate to each room in the online office, while the blue dots are linked to resources that SVMIC policyholders may download. As users tour the site, they can see where required postings, such as a HIPAA notice, should be placed in the office.
"The very last room in the online medical office is the practice manager's office," Clark says. This room contains an abundance of resources mean to help practice managers with the multitude of responsibilities they face while running a practice."
"A user can access information on the site at any time," Grissom says. "They don't have to make an appointment or wait for someone to come to their office."