Background

     In addition to an exceptional career in radiation oncology, Dr. Carl Bogardus has devoted a great portion of his professional life to clarifying and improving the payment structure encountered by radiation oncology practices. As a result of his endeavors, he recognized the need for a software application that could provide charge capture, compliance and comprehensive documentation, and at the same time remove the deficiencies noted in existing software products. In conjunction with his team of clinical and technical professionals, Dr. Bogardus developed a plan; and ONCOCHART^® was born.

What is ONCOCHART^®?

     ONCOCHART^® is an advanced charge capture, documentation and electronic medical record system for radiation oncology. This user-friendly program provides the physician and staff with the tools to document all reports and procedures in full compliance with Medicare rules and edits. This unique software virtually eliminates the need for dictation and transcription. ONCOCHART^® Scheduler provides the center with a program capable of handling scheduling needs for an entire cancer center.

What effect will ONCOCHART^® have on my current R&V system?

     If you currently require an R&V system to operate your linear accelerator, ONCOCHART^® will not replace the software that you need to operate your system. Whether you are an IMPAC/Mosaiq, VARiS/Aria, or Lantis user (together, called “R&V Applications”), the core functionality of those programs remains unchanged in an ONCOCHART^® environment.

     If you are an RTT, you will continue to use your R&V software the same as you do now. In some ONCOCHART^® center the RTT may never use the ONCOCHART^® program. ONCOCHART^® interfaces with the R&V database, pushing or pulling data to and from the R&V database and the ONCOCHART^® database. This way, the RTT can perform their normal workload in the R&V system and the users throughout the center will see the results on their ONCOCHART^® screens. If you are not an RTT, chances are you may not need to use the R&V software anymore.

     Think of the addition of ONCOCHART^® as a “wrapper” that expands the functionality of your present system.

How will I utilize ONCOCHART^® on my desktop and other departmental computers?

     Other than RTT’s, all staff members will utilize ONCOCHART^® as their primary clinical computer application, replacing any EMR software that is currently being utilized. The advanced functionality of ONCOCHART^® will lead you with ease through the complexities of charge capture, documentation, electronic charting, scheduling and many other functions of an electronic medical record. All of this in full compliance with the rules of Medicare.

Will the Nurses use ONCOCHART^®?

     The answer is yes! Our extensive Nursing documentation was developed based on the Oncology Nursing Society’s Radiation Therapy Patient Care Record. With ONS approval we incorporated their tools into our program, resulting in comprehensive nursing documentation.

Will ONCOCHART^® interface with my billing system?

     ONCOCHART^® can interface with HL7 compliant entities. We are fully capable of sending and receiving HL7 messages and have been doing so for years.

Is it worth the money?

     By following ONCOCHART^® ’s guidelines, including documentation, compliance and protocol management, typical ROI is approximately 9 months (yes, we said MONTHS!). We have numerous examples of real life ROI that we invite you to examine, as well as a report derived from 15,000 cases managed both with and without ONCOCHART^®. Our unique pricing schedule makes ONCOCHART^® quite affordable.

What is ONCOintake?

     ONCOintake is a computer based patient intake or patient history system. The patient answers simple, individual questions by touch screen or mouse. The patient’s answers cascade to the Initial Nurse Note and the Physician’s Initial Evaluation Note.Past History, Family History, Social History and Review of Systems information is available quickly, legibly, and most important it is complete and Medicare compliant.

Conclusion

     It’s much easier to understand ONCOCHART^® if you think of it as an enhancement of your present R&V software, not a replacement. With ONCOCHART^®, you do not need to utilize those parts of your R&V that do not function as well as you’d like. ONCOCHART^® handles these and many new functions flawlessly. Rather than having to maneuver through numerous confusing screens to reach your answer, ONCOCHART^® gives you the best answer with much less work on your part…a truly complete solution.

     Dr. Bogardus spent his academic medical career as Professor and Director of Radiation Oncology at the University of Oklahoma, retiring as Professor-Emeritus on April 1, 1995. He had a very active private practice of radiation oncology at the Cancer Treatment Centers of Oklahoma. In September, 2004 Dr. Bogardus returned to the University of Oklahoma to open a new radiation treatment facility. He is now Professor, Clinical Director and Vice Chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology. He had a long career in business and consulting as the founder and president of Cancer Care Network, Inc., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

     Throughout the years, Dr. Bogardus often commented there should be an easy to use system for physicians and their staff to document their work. He made notes, attended scientific meetings, sat on panels and continued to treat patients. Always a forward thinking man, Dr. Bogardus and a few colleagues gathered his notes and formulated plan. Bogardus Medical Systems, Inc. was created and a team was gathered to develop this plan that became ONCOCHART.

     Dr. Bogardus and his partners, Jeffrey Carlin and Lynn Miller, have assembled a cohesive and dynamic team at BMSi. Technical Operations Team, headed by Jamie Stiegelmeyer, diligently maintains and enhances the ONCOCHART program. Client Support Team, headed by Scott Luney, provides personal support to ONCOCHART clients. BMSi Radiation Oncology Billing & Coding Seminars and the Limited Consulting Program, organized by Carol Gravlee, provide up to date Radiation Oncology billing and coding information. BMSi Seminars faculty include Carl R. Bogardus, Jr, M.D, CEO of Bogardus Medical Systems, Inc., D. Scott Simmons, BSRT (R)(T), ROCC, president of Eagle Consulting and Susan K. Vannoni, M.S., R.T. (R) (T) ROCC, president of Radiation Oncology Consulting, LLC.