Wiki Sign In Sheets

[Shagrlygrl]

Office Manager here. My doctor really likes sign-in sheets, so we won't be getting rid of them. He always says sign-in sheets prove the patient was actually in the office in case we are audited. I am not sure where to start my search on information on whether or not that is necessary. (P.S. I know what HIPAA says about privacy in regard to using sign-in sheets so that isn't the information for which I am looking.)

 

[csperoni]

Whether or not you think it's necessary for your practice is an internal decision. I haven't been to a doctor who uses sign-in sheets in AT LEAST 5 years (maybe even more like 10). The gynonc practice I've been with almost 20 years never used them. I think once practices are on EMR systems, and "paperless" (ha, ha, right), they do away with sign-in sheets.
I suppose I would ask how often you've ever had any situation that required "proof" via sign-in sheet?

 

[amyjph]

EMRs pretty much negate the need for a paper "sign in sheet" in an office setting. They are a PHI risk for sure. If you are on paper charts (!?) I guess maybe I could see, but the provider documentation, schedule and check time in/out documentation for patients would probably suffice. I don't know of any time other than maybe for private duty nursing in the home or PT/OT/ST home visit or something like that where a sign in sheet and/or parent or guardian sign off is required. And nowadays even those are mostly electronic.

 

[amyjph]

FAQ 199 May health care providers use sign-in sheets? | Guidance Portal

May physician's offices use patient sign-in sheets or call out the names of their patients in their waiting rooms? Answer Yes.

www.hhs.gov

 

[Shagrlygrl]

EMRs pretty much negate the need for a paper "sign in sheet" in an office setting. They are a PHI risk for sure. If you are on paper charts (!?) I guess maybe I could see, but the provider documentation, schedule and check time in/out documentation for patients would probably suffice. I don't know of any time other than maybe for private duty nursing in the home or PT/OT/ST home visit or something like that where a sign in sheet and/or parent or guardian sign off is required. And nowadays even those are mostly electron

EMRs pretty much negate the need for a paper "sign in sheet" in an office setting. They are a PHI risk for sure. If you are on paper charts (!?) I guess maybe I could see, but the provider documentation, schedule and check time in/out documentation for patients would probably suffice. I don't know of any time other than maybe for private duty nursing in the home or PT/OT/ST home visit or something like that where a sign in sheet and/or parent or guardian sign off is required. And nowadays even those are mostly electronic.

Thank you for taking the time to respond. He has been using EMR for many years now, and our patients have an electronic sign-in PIN. I think it is definitely a bit of a security blanket for him. He likes to use the sign-in sheet for a variety of checks and balance systems he has created for himself.

 

[Shagrlygrl]

EMRs pretty much negate the need for a paper "sign in sheet" in an office setting. They are a PHI risk for sure. If you are on paper charts (!?) I guess maybe I could see, but the provider documentation, schedule and check time in/out documentation for patients would probably suffice. I don't know of any time other than maybe for private duty nursing in the home or PT/OT/ST home visit or something like that where a sign in sheet and/or parent or guardian sign off is required. And nowadays even those are mostly electronic.

Thank you for taking the time to respond. :He has been using EMR for many years now, and our patients have an electronic sign-in PIN. I think it is definitely a bit of a security blanket for him. He likes to use the sign-in sheet for a variety of checks and balance systems he has created for himself.