What is Robotic Process Automation (RPA)?
The process of automating business operations with the help of robots to reduce human intervention is said to be Robotic Process Automation (RPA). Robotics are entities that mimic human actions are called Robots. A process is a sequence of steps that lead to meaningful activity.
RPA provides organizations with the ability to reduce personnel costs and human error. RPA tools have strong technical similarities to graphical user interface testing tools. These tools also automate interactions with the GUI and often do so by repeating a set of demonstration actions performed by a user. RPA tools differ from such systems in that they allow data to be handled in and between multiple applications, for instance, receiving emails containing an invoice and extracting the data.
For which application areas is Robotic Process Automation (RPA) useful?
RPA Examples in Healthcare
RPA is a technology that leverages software robots or just bots, to execute high-volume repetitive tasks in a digital environment. Given the algorithmic nature of RPA bots, they are a perfect fit for taking care of tedious scenario-based tasks that is healthcare system is choke-full of.
Use case 1: Appointment Scheduling
Closely linked to electronic records, appointment scheduling is a time-consuming task that could be performed by RPA. The automated workflow can be like this:
• An RPA bot offers appointment slots to a patient according to their needs and the availability of a doctor.
• Once the patient has booked an appointment, the bot schedules it in the database and removes that appointment slot.
• The bot also notifies the patient via email, confirming the appointment details.
Use case 2: Billing and processing
Billing and claims processing are typically very repetitive. These processes can be automated using RPA, with bots handling claims management, including first-line inquiries or follow-ups. The automated workflow can be like this:
• An RPA bot recognizes payment details using optical character recognition (OCR).
• Then it logs into the accounting system and inputs data into the relevant system’s fields.
• Once the invoice is created and registered in the system, the bot emails it to a patient.
• If there’s a delay in payment, the bot can also send a customized reminder to the patient and create a report on the reminders sent with the current payment status for a finance manager.
What are the benefits of Robotic Process Automation (RPA)?
