How Dr. Farina, Orthopedic Surgeon, Increased Efficiency and Patient Satisfaction with ScribeRyte AI Plus
Health System: Newton-Wellesley Hospital / Mass General Brigham
Practice: Boston Hand to Shoulder
Start Date: August 7, 2024
Initial Clinic Volume: New Practice
• Half-Day Clinics: 4–5 Patients
• Full-Day Clinics: 10 Patients
Background
Dr. Farina, a board-certified orthopedic specialist, opened his clinic in August 2024. Initially, he faced challenges common to new practices – low patient volume and the overwhelming demands of documentation. As his patient load increased, he found that managing detailed clinical notes took a toll on his time, leaving him little opportunity to focus on patient interactions or personal activities.
In addition to running his clinic, Dr. Farina serves as a medical chaperone for professional sports teams, like the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. Juggling both roles, his evenings were often consumed by paperwork, making it hard to sustain a healthy work-life balance.
The Challenge
Initially, Dr. Farina managed all documentation tasks himself. After a full clinic day, he spent 4.5 to 5 hours reviewing, editing, and formatting EMR notes. This left little time for family or self-care, making it difficult to keep up with the growing demands of his practice.
Despite lacking support staff like a PA or MA, Dr. Farina was determined to maintain his independence. However, the increasing time commitment for documentation was becoming unsustainable.
Turning Point: Introducing ScribeRyte AI Plus
To regain control over his time, Dr. Farina implemented ScribeRyte AI Plus, an ambient clinical documentation solution developed by ScribeEMR.
ScribeRyte AI Plus is designed to adapt to specific specialties and visit types, automatically generating detailed clinical notes from physician-patient conversations. It’s integrated with Dr. Farina’s EMR system, streamlining the process and reducing manual effort.
Key features of ScribeRyte AI Plus include:
- Automatic Documentation Generation: Captures and creates detailed clinical notes from conversations.
- Specialty-Specific Adaptation: Tailors notes to orthopedic practice, ensuring high relevance and accuracy.
- Real-Time Integration: Seamlessly integrates with EMR systems, simplifying workflows.
- Time Efficiency: Reduces documentation time significantly, allowing physicians to focus on patient care.
- Enhanced Accuracy: Provides detailed, structured notes, ensuring nothing is overlooked.
Workflow & Visit Structure
Dr. Farina continues to run his clinic solo, with minimal staff assistance. His patient visits remain comprehensive and structured:
- New Patients (~45 minutes): Full history, physical exam, and care planning.
- Follow-Up Visits (up to 25 minutes): Re-evaluations and decision-making.
This system ensures that Dr. Farina maintains a steady pace, providing high-quality care while staying on schedule.
Outcomes and Improvements
After adopting ScribeRyte AI Plus, Dr. Farina noticed significant improvements in his clinic’s operations:
- Time Saved: Documentation time dropped from 4.5–5 hours to approximately 2 hours per day, freeing up valuable time.
- Increased Productivity: Patient volume rose by nearly 30%, allowing Dr. Farina to see up to 16 patients a day without sacrificing care quality.
- Enhanced Patient Experience: With more time spent face-to-face with patients, Dr. Farina could engage more meaningfully with them, leading to improved satisfaction.
- Improved Documentation Quality: Notes became more detailed and accurate, covering not only clinical information but also personal details that enrich patient care.
- Cost Savings: Dr. Farina avoided hiring additional staff (like a PA or MA), helping him keep costs low while growing his practice.
In Dr. Farina’s Words
“I used to spend almost 5 hours after each clinic day on documentation. Now, I’m done in about 2 hours, giving me 3 extra hours daily. I can look my patients in the eye instead of focusing on the screen. They no longer feel rushed, and our connection is stronger. The notes are incredibly detailed-everything from a patient’s occupation to their injury specifics-which makes recalling details easier when they return. Most importantly, I still operate independently. I haven’t had to hire a PA or MA, saving me money while continuing to grow the practice.”
Measurable Impact
| Metric | Before | After Using ScribeRyte AI Plus |
| Documentation Time | 4.5 – 5 hrs/day | ~2 hrs/day |
| Patient Volume | ~10/day | Up to 16/day |
| Staff Support Needed | None | Still None |
| Patient Satisfaction | Moderate | Higher |
| Documentation Detail | Average | Extremely Detailed |
Conclusion
Dr. Farina’s case demonstrates how ScribeRyte AI Plus can transform a solo practice. By automating clinical documentation, Dr. Farina was able to reclaim his time, improve patient interactions, and maintain a high level of documentation accuracy – all without needing additional staff.
In today’s fast-paced healthcare landscape, tools like ScribeRyte AI Plus enable physicians to streamline their workflow, maintain independence, and enhance patient care while improving work-life balance.