Despite major advances in healthcare technology, many cardiopulmonary rehab programs still rely on paper-based methods for something as routine—and essential—as signing Individual Treatment Plans (ITPs). Week after week, ITPs are printed, hand-signed, scanned, and uploaded to EHRs. It’s a time-consuming, error-prone workflow that feels out of step with how modern care should be delivered.
So why is this still so common in 2025?
Part habit, part inertia—but the data tells a different story. According to the National Institutes of Health, paper-based documentation can eat up nearly 25% of a clinician’s time. That’s time nurses and staff could spend focusing on patients instead of paperwork. A study in the Journal of AHIMA found that electronic signatures can reduce signature-related delays by more than 85%.
Whether you manage the program or are on the floor with patients every day, those numbers hit home.
The good news? ScottCare’s VersaCare system already includes the solution. Electronic signatures are secure, streamlined, and easy to implement. Providers can review and sign treatment plans directly in the VersaCare system—no printing, scanning, or extra steps. Signed documents are automatically saved in the patient’s chart, time-stamped, audit-ready, and accessible to the full care team.
Alternatively, if your VersaCare system is interfaced with your EHR, the ITP can be sent there with the click of a button for physicians to sign directly. Most EHR systems support electronic and digital signatures, which are legally recognized and comply with regulations such as HIPAA.
Additionally, electronic signatures, whether done in VersaCare or directly in your EHR, meet CMS documentation standards and align with AACVPR guidelines. Every signature is traceable, which helps ensure compliance and simplifies audits. Beyond saving time, this process brings peace of mind.
Finally, paper records often mean missing pages, illegible notes, and duplicate data entry. With electronic documentation, those risks are virtually eliminated. And for multi-provider teams, electronic signatures reduce bottlenecks by letting authorized users sign from any VersaCare system—whether they’re in the building or working remotely.
Ultimately, switching to electronic documentation processes isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about protecting your time, improving accuracy, and keeping patients at the center of care.
Whether you're leading the program or supporting it day-to-day, the switch to electronic signatures is a smart, practical step forward. And with VersaCare, it’s easier than ever.