Save hours and work more efficiently with bespoke, dynamic note taking templates
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 6th October 2022
Dr Carl Horton works in several dental practices offering an array of implant services to patients across the country. Finding it increasingly challenging to stay on top of his notes while travelling around so much, he went in search of a solution that could help. He shares his experience of discovering and implementing Kiroku, the digital note taking platform…
I was using multiple software systems between the different practices I worked in. This made it more time-consuming to check they were complete and it was difficult to access them or refer back to my records at a later date. We would have to take notes and then transfer them back to the practice each time. We also had a very specific way of keeping records – my practise is limited to dental implants, so I liked to use a standardised template that would cover each step of this treatment journey. This often required extra time and training for the team to be able to work on, and those who were less technologically-savvy would find it particularly difficult.
Things were becoming so challenging that we were actually considering the possibility of developing our own software to better meet our needs. This would have been a massive financial investment but it may well have been worth it. The only solutions we had found were complete practice management packages, but these did far more than what we needed and wouldn’t have been cost-efficient at all.
Luckily, while doing some online research to see if there was anything in the market already, I came across Kiroku. I decided to use the trial offer to see what it was like – and I thought it was fantastic.
It was really straight forward integrating Kiroku with all systems we use in different practices. In terms of copy and pasting the information into practice records, we had no struggles whatever. The programme provides automated templates that make it easier to ensure all the relevant information is recorded efficiently during each appointment.
It also enables us to create our own dynamic templates, which is perfect and really ticks all the boxes for us. Not only have we been able to design templates to meet our specific needs, but we can also adapt them over time. If something crops up that we need to include or one of the fields becomes unnecessary for most patients, we can adapt the template for ease next time. The system has been adaptive to needs as well – the introduction of a drafts feature means we can continue to take notes even when in remote practices with a poor internet connection.
Each intelligent template consists of intelligent drop-down menus, which can be further customised by deleting any the options we don’t need. The programme will also automatically eliminate irrelevant options as you start to complete the information, which keeps your notes tidy and as clear as possible for the next person who may need to access them. This simplicity was exactly what we needed. Kiroku is unmatched by any other options on the market in this area.
Our workflow centres around a team approach. So, while I am assessing the patient, I verbalise findings and my dental nurse inputs data from the computer. We work through the template together and at the end of the appointment I go over the notes to check everything is correct and complete. I often work with professionals in training, so it is essential that we have simple workflows to ensure records are accurate and processes are quick and efficient.
In fact, I believe we have easily saved 10-15 minutes per hour consultation working with new trainees. With more experienced colleagues we still likely save at least 5 minutes per one-hour consultation. In addition, the work required after each appointment has been streamlined and minimised too. For example, we can use patient letters from the innovative templates, saving a further 10-15 minutes during the day. On average, I typically provide 4 – 5 consultations a day lasting 40 minutes – 1 hour, so I’m saving more than an hour a day, which makes a huge difference.
I haven’t had a great deal of need for any additional service or support from Kiroku, as I have had no issues at all. I certainly don’t feel unsupported, though, as I’m happy I know where to go if I do have questions and Hannah [Burrow] has called to follow up and see how I’m getting on, which is appreciated.
I would 100% would recommend Kiroku to colleagues!
To find out more about Kiroku, or to start your free trial, please visit trykiroku.com
