~ PPM Software adds paper document digitalisation to its private medical practice management offering in collaboration with TMT ~
PPM Software, developers of the private medical practice management software suite ‘PPM’ – Private Practice Manager, has added a paper to digital archiving solution to its service offering. PPM Software is collaborating with Transmedia Technology to provide document conversion, imaging, scanning and archiving services for both new and existing customers.
PPM Software's paper to digital archiving is a full on-site, all format document scanning and project management service. It produces high quality, accurate scans from any document using the latest optical character recognition and intelligent character recognition technology, our scanners. The company can also provide a range of document management services, including microfiche, microfilm and document scanning, file collation and organisation, indexing, bar-coding and in-house archiving.
Security, privacy and accurate medical history and record keeping are critical to instilling customer confidence and maintaining a successful practice. This is particularly true in private medical practices which handle sensitive patient information on a daily basis. Storing documents in a digital format can help alleviate the problems of lost or leaked data, mislaid patient records and slow or inaccurate invoicing.
“Our customers understand that efficient information management is a huge benefit to both their practices and their patients,” Tom Hunt, managing director of PPM Software explained. “So we think it’s logical that we offer document conversion alongside our database management software.
“It’s now more than ten years since the medical industry started talking about the paper-less office and most private practices are still very dependent on manual filing systems. But paper isn’t a very efficient, financially robust or even environmentally friendly way of storing information. Our archiving services means that patient records, photos, financial records and any other paper based documents can easily be converted to digital format and then incorporated into PPM – Private Practice Manager. Once this is done, everyone knows where the information is, a doctor can have immediate access to a patient’s history and their privacy is one step closer to being assured.”
Subscribe to receive our Blog via e-mail
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Secure e-mail set to safeguard private medical practices from fines and GMC censure
PPM Software, the company behind leading private practice management software product ‘PPM’ - Private Practice Manager, has launched an innovative secure e-mail product. The new service, called SSLPost, will protect medical practitioners and their administrators who are currently at risk of heavy fines and General Medical Council censure if they fail to safeguard patient data when sending e-mails.
SSLPost is a low cost secure email product that is simple to set up and use. It comes with an easy installation guide that allows the sender to begin encrypting emails within two hours of purchasing the software. It also features an Outlook Plug-in, allowing Microsoft Office users to encrypt messages directly from their regular e-mail client. The user simply chooses which emails and attachments he or she wants to send, selects the SSLPost secure button in Outlook and hits send.
Under normal circumstances, information contained in emails can be intercepted and read, deleted or altered before it reaches the intended destination. However, SSLPost's encryption service now ensures complete confidentiality by encrypting all messages and attachments using high grade encryption algorithms.
The product is as easy for the recipient as it is for the sender. The first time the sender dispatches an email to someone it triggers a welcome message that invites the recipient to set up a password and create a free account. Once this is done all future secure e-mails simply require the recipient to click on the attachment and use their password to open the content.
“There is no doubt that email is a quick, efficient and low cost means of keeping in touch with patents, colleagues and partners,” explained Tom Hunt, managing director of PPM Software. “However, now is the time to ensure that you have an effective method of encrypting the e-mails that contain sensitive patient or practice information,” he concluded.
Customers of PPM Software, who already use the company’s ‘PPM’ - Private Practice Manager suite will receive their first licence of SSLPost free if they sign up before November 30 2011.
Subscribe to receive our Blog via e-mail
SSLPost is a low cost secure email product that is simple to set up and use. It comes with an easy installation guide that allows the sender to begin encrypting emails within two hours of purchasing the software. It also features an Outlook Plug-in, allowing Microsoft Office users to encrypt messages directly from their regular e-mail client. The user simply chooses which emails and attachments he or she wants to send, selects the SSLPost secure button in Outlook and hits send.
Under normal circumstances, information contained in emails can be intercepted and read, deleted or altered before it reaches the intended destination. However, SSLPost's encryption service now ensures complete confidentiality by encrypting all messages and attachments using high grade encryption algorithms.
The product is as easy for the recipient as it is for the sender. The first time the sender dispatches an email to someone it triggers a welcome message that invites the recipient to set up a password and create a free account. Once this is done all future secure e-mails simply require the recipient to click on the attachment and use their password to open the content.
“There is no doubt that email is a quick, efficient and low cost means of keeping in touch with patents, colleagues and partners,” explained Tom Hunt, managing director of PPM Software. “However, now is the time to ensure that you have an effective method of encrypting the e-mails that contain sensitive patient or practice information,” he concluded.
Customers of PPM Software, who already use the company’s ‘PPM’ - Private Practice Manager suite will receive their first licence of SSLPost free if they sign up before November 30 2011.
Subscribe to receive our Blog via e-mail
Sunday, 12 February 2012
About ‘PPM’ - Private Practice Manager
PPM Software designs, develops and distributes ‘PPM’ - Private Practice Manager, software which provides a complete solution for the administration and financial control of a private medical practice. The business was founded in 1992, when the first ever DOS version of ‘PPM’ - Private Practice Manager was developed and the inaugural copy was installed in March 1994. There are now well over 1800 licences in use across the UK and clients include the Spire (previously BUPA) hospitals, BMI and the Nuffield Group, as well as countless individual practices. Read some testimoials from satisfied customers here.
Why choose 'PPM' - Private Practice Manager?
The main benefit of ‘PPM’ - Private Practice Manager is that it is a fully integrated system which saves a great deal of administration time. You will also benefit because financial controls will improve cash flow and reduce debts. Listed below are the main features.
* The speed of being able to produce invoices, statements and reminders.
* Full integration with Word, only the body of the letter/report needs to be typed.
* Single keying of any item of data.
* All financial information is instantly to hand.
* Immediate access to Aged Debtors position.
* Production of year-end financial reports for presentation to the practice accountant.
* Meets the specification required for sending claims via the Internet (EDI).
* Has an integrated Diary/Scheduler.
* Has the facility to scan in documents, digital photographs etc.
For further information contact:
Tom Hunt, PPM Software, The Business Centre, 100 Honey lane, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 3BG
Telephone: +44 (0) 1992 655940
www: www.ppmsoftware.com
e-mail: info@ppmsoftware.com
Blog: www.ppmsoftware-pr.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PPMsoftware
Subscribe to receive our Blog via e-mail
Why choose 'PPM' - Private Practice Manager?
The main benefit of ‘PPM’ - Private Practice Manager is that it is a fully integrated system which saves a great deal of administration time. You will also benefit because financial controls will improve cash flow and reduce debts. Listed below are the main features.
* The speed of being able to produce invoices, statements and reminders.
* Full integration with Word, only the body of the letter/report needs to be typed.
* Single keying of any item of data.
* All financial information is instantly to hand.
* Immediate access to Aged Debtors position.
* Production of year-end financial reports for presentation to the practice accountant.
* Meets the specification required for sending claims via the Internet (EDI).
* Has an integrated Diary/Scheduler.
* Has the facility to scan in documents, digital photographs etc.
For further information contact:
Tom Hunt, PPM Software, The Business Centre, 100 Honey lane, Waltham Abbey, Essex EN9 3BG
Telephone: +44 (0) 1992 655940
www: www.ppmsoftware.com
e-mail: info@ppmsoftware.com
Blog: www.ppmsoftware-pr.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PPMsoftware
Subscribe to receive our Blog via e-mail
Friday, 27 January 2012
Marketing private medical services – read all about on LiveseySolar’s Blog
We’ve just written a great new post for the LiveseySolar Blog, to help you learn about marketing your private practice. It’s well worth a read, if you have a quiet moment and you can find it here.
As well as offering financial and administration support for private practices, ‘PPM’ – Private Practice Manager acts as a customer relationship management (CRM) system. In our post on the LiveseySolar blog we explain how you can apply our technology to your practice to manage communications with you patients.
Our easily manageable software allows you to keep in contact with patients and announce your latest news or achievements. It helps improve the practice’s reputation and visibility and can also assist with patient care by making sure appointments are kept and communication channels remain open.
If you are interested in finding out more about the software and how it can increase the visibility of your practice, have a look at our guest post on LiveseySolar’s Blog.
Subscribe to receive our Blog via e-mail
Thursday, 8 December 2011
Don’t make the same mistake as the NHS!
As you may have read in the mainstream media, the NHS has spent billions of pounds trying to develop a centralised computer system; a campaign which is still underway. However, for a private practice the process should be much simpler and far less expensive. Here Tom Hunt, managing director of PPM Software, the provider of the software suite ‘PPM’ - Private Practice Manager, presents his step by step guide to embarking on this journey.
Although an individual private practice operates on a much smaller scale than the NHS, you still don’t want to waste a single penny investing in the wrong computer and associated applications.
The first step is to establish what level of computerisation you need. In order to do this, you should answer the following questions:
What do you want to do with the computer? Is it just for Microsoft Office? Do you want to implement a Practice Management System? Do you want to store images? Do you want to run other applications and if so which ones? Do you need a high resolution display? Do you want the ability to expand in the future?
You then have to ask the following:
Do you require more than one person to work simultaneously? Is a peer to peer network sufficient or do I need a server? (A peer to peer network just means you connect two or more PCs together without a server.)
Next - How much printing is required? Do you want to be able to scan in documents? Do you need to send faxes?
With regard to these needs, a key question is, ‘how much physical space do you have at your rooms?’ If space is limited, it may be better to buy an ‘all in one’ machine that does all of the above without the need for any peripherals.
Next you should ask, ‘do I, my colleagues (if applicable) and my secretary require access to the computer from a remote location, such as home, hospital or other location via the internet?’
If the answer is yes, can you connect to the internet at all of these locations and is the speed adequate?
When all of these questions are answered you are in a position to decide exactly what you need to implement to meet your needs now and in the future.
Some theoretical examples
A single consultant with simple needs: All that is required is a basic PC with whatever applications are required.
Multiple consultants with one secretary and simple needs: As above, a simple low cost system would be sufficient.
Single or multiple consultants with two secretaries and no remote access needs: A peer to peer network would be required, with as many PCs as are needed, probably one for each consultant and one for each secretary.
Single or multiple consultants with two or more secretaries and remote access needs: from at least three locations by at least three people simultaneously: Install a server connected to two or more PCs.
The above are just three of the possible permutations but they do act as a good basic guide to what may be required.
However, if you don’t want the expense of purchasing, setting up and maintaining the server and ensuring the security of your data then there are companies who will host your applications on their servers.
In any event, you should engage the services of someone you trust to discuss your needs and provide an objective opinion.
When it comes to the actual purchase, whoever you choose must be able to support your system. If you buy via mail order or the Internet, then take out a next day service contract to meet this need.
Some example IT support models
Single PC running Microsoft Office only: As PCs are very reliable these days you may well get away with using a local company on an ad-hoc basis.
Single PC running Microsoft Office and Practice Management Software: The provider of the practice management software will provide the support for their own system and hardware support can be procured on an ad-hoc basis.
Peer to Peer Networks or server: You should source the hardware and necessary software from a local supplier who can provide a next day, on site ‘fix’ for any IT problems you encounter. You are running a business and can’t afford for the system to be down for more than a few hours.
If you have Practice Management Software you need to ensure that the provider can work smoothly with your IT consultant in the event of a problem. You must not get into the situation where the hardware supplier says it is the Practice Management Software and vice-versa.
You should also bear in mind that a PC is now considered a commodity item that is replaced regularly.
Two final tips
Tip one: Never upgrade a Microsoft product for at least nine months after the upgrade is released. This will coincide with the second service release which should have fixed most of the bugs!
Tip two: If you are buying a new PC just after the launch of a new Microsoft product it may come pre-installed so you will be stuck with it. In this event, ensure you regularly check for updates and when available download them.
I believe that if you stick to these simple steps you can avoid the problems the NHS have encountered. However, if you have any questions, please call me on 01992 655940. Furthermore, readers of Independent Practitioner Today can obtain a free trial of ‘PPM’ – Private Practice Manager by quoting ‘IPT Offer’ when you call.
Subscribe to receive our Blog via e-mail
Although an individual private practice operates on a much smaller scale than the NHS, you still don’t want to waste a single penny investing in the wrong computer and associated applications.
The first step is to establish what level of computerisation you need. In order to do this, you should answer the following questions:
What do you want to do with the computer? Is it just for Microsoft Office? Do you want to implement a Practice Management System? Do you want to store images? Do you want to run other applications and if so which ones? Do you need a high resolution display? Do you want the ability to expand in the future?
You then have to ask the following:
Do you require more than one person to work simultaneously? Is a peer to peer network sufficient or do I need a server? (A peer to peer network just means you connect two or more PCs together without a server.)
Next - How much printing is required? Do you want to be able to scan in documents? Do you need to send faxes?
With regard to these needs, a key question is, ‘how much physical space do you have at your rooms?’ If space is limited, it may be better to buy an ‘all in one’ machine that does all of the above without the need for any peripherals.
Next you should ask, ‘do I, my colleagues (if applicable) and my secretary require access to the computer from a remote location, such as home, hospital or other location via the internet?’
If the answer is yes, can you connect to the internet at all of these locations and is the speed adequate?
When all of these questions are answered you are in a position to decide exactly what you need to implement to meet your needs now and in the future.
Some theoretical examples
A single consultant with simple needs: All that is required is a basic PC with whatever applications are required.
Multiple consultants with one secretary and simple needs: As above, a simple low cost system would be sufficient.
Single or multiple consultants with two secretaries and no remote access needs: A peer to peer network would be required, with as many PCs as are needed, probably one for each consultant and one for each secretary.
Single or multiple consultants with two or more secretaries and remote access needs: from at least three locations by at least three people simultaneously: Install a server connected to two or more PCs.
The above are just three of the possible permutations but they do act as a good basic guide to what may be required.
However, if you don’t want the expense of purchasing, setting up and maintaining the server and ensuring the security of your data then there are companies who will host your applications on their servers.
In any event, you should engage the services of someone you trust to discuss your needs and provide an objective opinion.
When it comes to the actual purchase, whoever you choose must be able to support your system. If you buy via mail order or the Internet, then take out a next day service contract to meet this need.
Some example IT support models
Single PC running Microsoft Office only: As PCs are very reliable these days you may well get away with using a local company on an ad-hoc basis.
Single PC running Microsoft Office and Practice Management Software: The provider of the practice management software will provide the support for their own system and hardware support can be procured on an ad-hoc basis.
Peer to Peer Networks or server: You should source the hardware and necessary software from a local supplier who can provide a next day, on site ‘fix’ for any IT problems you encounter. You are running a business and can’t afford for the system to be down for more than a few hours.
If you have Practice Management Software you need to ensure that the provider can work smoothly with your IT consultant in the event of a problem. You must not get into the situation where the hardware supplier says it is the Practice Management Software and vice-versa.
You should also bear in mind that a PC is now considered a commodity item that is replaced regularly.
Two final tips
Tip one: Never upgrade a Microsoft product for at least nine months after the upgrade is released. This will coincide with the second service release which should have fixed most of the bugs!
Tip two: If you are buying a new PC just after the launch of a new Microsoft product it may come pre-installed so you will be stuck with it. In this event, ensure you regularly check for updates and when available download them.
I believe that if you stick to these simple steps you can avoid the problems the NHS have encountered. However, if you have any questions, please call me on 01992 655940. Furthermore, readers of Independent Practitioner Today can obtain a free trial of ‘PPM’ – Private Practice Manager by quoting ‘IPT Offer’ when you call.
Subscribe to receive our Blog via e-mail
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
A simple set of guidelines for avoiding NHS style data-loss blunders
Part two of two: Protecting your private practice against data security threats
Most of the data losses the NHS has suffered were created internally by staff making simple mistakes. To avoid these mistakes in private practice, you should remove the risks of employees copying, corrupting or abusing your practice information. For instance, fully integrated private practice management software can save a great deal of administration time and effort and help keep data manageable and in an easily secured, central location.
Another way of ensuring staff don’t make silly mistakes, like keeping a file of passwords on their PC or taping them to the side of a monitor, is to find a user friendly package which allows easy retrieval of information. This will also massively improve time management, both for the medical secretary running the practice and the other staff.
However, when you purchase any kind of private practice management software, you should ensure that the provider can work smoothly with your IT consultant in the event of a problem. You must not get into the situation where the hardware supplier says it is the practice management software company’s responsibility and vice-versa. Practice managers should expect technical support to be delivered in easily understood terms. Furthermore, there’s no reason not to expect your software provider to be able to give you advice on data security.
In summary then, here are some simple steps that you should take to protect your data:
Installing an industry recognized firewall will significantly reduce the possibility of an external attack on your PC or network
Install anti-virus software and keep it updated
Back up your data every working day and keep a copy off site in a safe and secure location. There are also plenty of affordable online and cloud backup systems available now, including ones provided by huge global corporations such as Amazon and Google.
Create a password to get into your computer
Create a password to get into your practice management application
Keep all of your passwords safe and change them regularly. It is advisable to use a password generator to reduce the possibility of someone guessing your password based on information about you that is shared publically. Most hackers have ways of working out your passwords using stolen information of information about you that is available online. Using a password generator makes it much more difficult for them to do this.
Only allow key tried and trusted staff access to critical data – For example within ‘PPM’ – Private Practice Manager there are four levels of access to the data. Each level is password protected so you can allocate the appropriate one to each member of staff.
Ensure the data is encrypted using the latest methods available
Having said all of the above, there is no absolute solution to this problem. If professional hackers want to get at your data they will, irrespective of the steps you take. After all they’ve proved in recent times that they can hack everyone from Sony Playstation to NASA!
However, you can at least make it difficult for them. I believe that if you stick to these steps you can minimise the problems the NHS have encountered. If you have any questions, please call me on 01992 655940. Furthermore, readers of our blog can obtain a free trial of ‘PPM’ – Private Practice Manager by quoting ‘Blog Offer’ when you call.
Subscribe to receive our Blog via e-mail
 |
| Keeping your data safe and secure |
As you may recall we recently published a post assessing the data loss risks to your system, including those posed by staff blunders. In this follow up post, Tom Hunt, managing director of PPM Software, the provider of the software suite ‘PPM’ - Private Practice Manager, presents some guidelines on how to manage and keep your practice data safe.
Most of the data losses the NHS has suffered were created internally by staff making simple mistakes. To avoid these mistakes in private practice, you should remove the risks of employees copying, corrupting or abusing your practice information. For instance, fully integrated private practice management software can save a great deal of administration time and effort and help keep data manageable and in an easily secured, central location.
Another way of ensuring staff don’t make silly mistakes, like keeping a file of passwords on their PC or taping them to the side of a monitor, is to find a user friendly package which allows easy retrieval of information. This will also massively improve time management, both for the medical secretary running the practice and the other staff.
However, when you purchase any kind of private practice management software, you should ensure that the provider can work smoothly with your IT consultant in the event of a problem. You must not get into the situation where the hardware supplier says it is the practice management software company’s responsibility and vice-versa. Practice managers should expect technical support to be delivered in easily understood terms. Furthermore, there’s no reason not to expect your software provider to be able to give you advice on data security.
In summary then, here are some simple steps that you should take to protect your data:
Installing an industry recognized firewall will significantly reduce the possibility of an external attack on your PC or network
Install anti-virus software and keep it updated
Back up your data every working day and keep a copy off site in a safe and secure location. There are also plenty of affordable online and cloud backup systems available now, including ones provided by huge global corporations such as Amazon and Google.
Create a password to get into your computer
Create a password to get into your practice management application
Keep all of your passwords safe and change them regularly. It is advisable to use a password generator to reduce the possibility of someone guessing your password based on information about you that is shared publically. Most hackers have ways of working out your passwords using stolen information of information about you that is available online. Using a password generator makes it much more difficult for them to do this.
Only allow key tried and trusted staff access to critical data – For example within ‘PPM’ – Private Practice Manager there are four levels of access to the data. Each level is password protected so you can allocate the appropriate one to each member of staff.
Ensure the data is encrypted using the latest methods available
Having said all of the above, there is no absolute solution to this problem. If professional hackers want to get at your data they will, irrespective of the steps you take. After all they’ve proved in recent times that they can hack everyone from Sony Playstation to NASA!
However, you can at least make it difficult for them. I believe that if you stick to these steps you can minimise the problems the NHS have encountered. If you have any questions, please call me on 01992 655940. Furthermore, readers of our blog can obtain a free trial of ‘PPM’ – Private Practice Manager by quoting ‘Blog Offer’ when you call.
Subscribe to receive our Blog via e-mail
Monday, 21 November 2011
Data-loss blunders are a real threat for private practice
 |
| How much security does your password proivde? |
The most valuable thing on your private practice computers or network is the data you store there. After all, that information is the reason for having the computer and network in the first instance. Software applications and operating systems can always be reinstalled, but user-created records are unique and, if lost, may be irreplaceable. This is the first of two posts that will assess the data loss risks to your system - including those posed by staff blunders.
In recent years we seem to have witnessed an increase in the number of news stories about laptops containing sensitive patient data which have gone missing. The same is true of files containing medical details, which have been lost or forgotten on public transport.
In 2010, computers containing the names, addresses and medical notes of 2,500 Camden Primary Care Trust patients were left beside a skip at St Pancreas hospital in London. The PCs, which were not encrypted, were stolen and never recovered.
In January 2009, a health worker in Lancashire lost a memory stick containing the medical details of more than 6,000 prisoners and ex-prisoners from HMP Preston, a category B local prison. The data was encrypted, but the password had been written on a note which was attached to the stick when it was misplaced.
Later that year, a report from the Information Commissioner told the NHS to improve its data security, after the watchdog took action against 14 NHS organisations in six months prior.
In addition to these security issues, attacks on computer networks from the Internet have dramatically increased in sophistication and frequency. These attacks are affecting all types of networks, from home users up to large corporations. Viruses, junk email, spyware and other security risks are now commonplace and a security breach can paralyze an entire practice in a matter of minutes.
New viruses compromise passwords and pass confidential data to unscrupulous third parties.
Not only are external risks like those mentioned above expensive to correct, but the damage to patient confidence and the risk to operations from an internal threat, such as a disgruntled employee stealing data, can cripple an organisation.
However, you can at least make it difficult for them. I believe that if you stick to these steps you can minimise the problems the NHS have encountered. If you have any questions, please call me on 01992 655940. Furthermore, readers of our blog can obtain a free trial of ‘PPM’ – Private Practice Manager by quoting ‘Blog Offer’ when you call.
Subscribe to receive our Blog via e-mail
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)