Home Forums For Those Of You Considering SQL Server Standard

As has been pointed out, one way to alleviate performance problems with Amazing Charts is to move up to SQL Server 2012 Standard Edition. One thing I would like to point out is that with SQL Server Standard you get A LOT of addition stuff not included with Express editions that you would be wise to take advantage of.

SQL Server Integration Services
This is Microsoft's ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) solution. Using SSIS I have done the following:

--Created automated interfaces between Amazing Charts and Practice Management systems. These interfaces can be completely customized rather than having just the "take-it-or-leave-it" interface the vendors will offer. For example, you can have the interface detect certain CPT codes that may require a certain modifier or diag code and have the interface include that modifier or diag code as the encounter is transferred over to the Practice Management software.

--Created interfaces with Lab companies such as LabCorps.

--Create automated interfaces with patient reminder solutions such as House Calls. Send HC all the appointments from, say, 5 days in the future from Amazing Charts' or your Practice Management software's scheduler.

--Have automated write-offs for small balances. Check for all claims where insurance is resolved and have it write off the claim if the balance is too small to worry about.

SQL Server Reporting Services
Create your own custom reports from Amazing Charts or your Practice Management software such as:

--Show reports of data transfers using SQL Server Integration Services so you can see which transfers failed, succeeded, or what encounters were transferred or failed, etc. The report can show Amazing Charts' encounter ID and what the new ID is in the Practice Management system. This way you have complete control over what's going on.

--Procedure Averages Analysis Payments: The average payment you are getting for a procedure by carrier, provider in a date range.

--Procedure Averages Analysis Adjustments: Same as above but in this case you want to see the adjustments being applied by carrier, provider.

Here is a screenshot of one I went nuts with. You can even choose the DAY OF WEEK in your date range.



SQL Server Analysis Services
You can use this to pre-aggregate data from multiple sources for advanced reporting.

These tools come with SQL Server Standard. Yes, it will cost you money to get a developer to come in and set this stuff up for you and develop the ETL packages and reports and so forth, but if the payoff in increased efficiency is there, you should take advantage of it. You've already paid for it all, may as well use it.

JamesNT