Innovative Care Services, a non‑profit located in Wisconsin, supports over 650 clients through
licensed
residential homes, community‑supported living, and mental health services. The organization faced a
common
challenge in the human services industry: managing paper documentation for a large client base. With over
300 staff spread across the state and 60+ locations, paper became an insufficient method of documentation
and communication for Innovative Care. Recognizing the need for a change, they implemented Therap Services’
electronic documentation system.
“We were completely [on] paper,” recalls Becca Hrdlicka, Vice President of Operations, who was part of the
team that implemented Therap at Innovative Care. At the time, staff primarily relied on physical records,
sometimes taking pictures of documents and texting them when electronic sharing was needed. This approach
made it challenging to read handwritten notes and limited their ability to track data effectively. “We
couldn't run any reports. [We had] no data tracking – nothing to be able to find trends,” Hrdlicka explains.
The geographic spread of Innovative Care exacerbated the challenges of paper‑based
record‑keeping. While
local managers had access to paper records at their respective sites, mid‑level managers
overseeing
multiple locations spent a significant amount of time traveling. “We were all on the road so much,” says
Hrdlicka. “We needed a way to help our local managers and local staff without having every level of
management on‑site at every single location.” Implementing Therap provided a centralized location
to
store documentation, allowing managers to access records remotely and support staff more efficiently
without the need for constant travel.
The benefits of using Therap at Innovative Care have been substantial. "It has been a game changer,"
Hrdlicka states. The platform has reduced travel costs while also enhancing the level of support provided to
staff. With easier access to client information, staff can collaborate more effectively and quickly find
solutions. "Now, having that visibility [Therap provides], we can problem‑solve and find solutions a
lot
quicker with people that aren't necessarily [on‑site] day‑to‑day. We can catch our nurse
up to speed very
quickly on a client situation,” Therap also helped streamline Innovative Care’s auditing process, saving
significant time and effort. “You want 30 days of case notes? Absolutely, not a problem. Three minutes,
tops,” exclaims Hrdlicka. “We even get positive feedback from our funders,” she states, detailing the speed
and ease of access of reports. “Because it's a click of a button now.”
The biggest benefit of switching to electronic documentation? “We spend more time with our clients. What you
can accomplish by using [Therap] is buying back face time and providing the actual service,” Hrdlicka
explains. Reducing time spent on documentation and administrative tasks has allowed staff to focus more on
direct support. “When you think about a DSP shift, 95 percent of it should be client‑facing. That is
our
goal, and Therap has really helped with that.” Reflecting on Innovative Care’s implementation of Therap,
Hrdlicka emphasizes the value of a reliable documentation system. “It makes so much of a difference in the
work that we’re able to do and the impact that we’re able to provide.”
See for yourself how Therap can boost your team's communication
and documentation efficiency!
Innovative Care Services:
Reclaiming Time for Direct Support with Therap’s Electronic Documentation System
Ready to Improve Team Communication?
Author: Claire Faulkner
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Category:
User Story
Now, having that visibility [Therap provides], we can problem-solve and find solutions a lot
quicker with people that aren't necessarily [on-site] day-to-day.
We spend more time with our clients. What you can accomplish by using [Therap] is buying back face time
and providing the actual service.