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MANAGING PATIENTS

Patient resources for Health Aging Month

September is Healthy Aging  Month. Here are resources from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to encourage your patients to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Services to recommend: Preventive services Cognitive assessment & care plan services Chronic care management services Behavioral health integration services Information for your patients: Preventive & screening services Cognitive assessment & care plan services Chronic care management services Behavioral health integration services  

WORKING WITH DOCTORS

Know the signs and risk factors for physician suicide

This week of Sept. 10 through Sept. 16 is National Suicide Prevention Week, and Sunday, Sep. 17, is National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. Physicians are at a higher risk of suicide and suicidal ideation than the general population, says the American Medical Association. Suicidal ideation has been associated with high workload volume  and medical errors. Although previous research linked physician burnout to depression and suicide, a recent investigation suggests that burnout and depression are separate experiences, with distinct consequences for physicians and their patients. Physicians who experience suicidal ideation have been shown to be less likely to seek the help they need. Take steps to prevent physician suicide Download the report for tips to address physician distress, the well-being of colleagues and the risk of suicidal ideation. Factors associated with… . . . read more.

DEALING WITH PATIENTS

Is our wart lady here yet? Respecting patient privacy and dignity

True story: A friend of a staff member here at Medical Office Manager, awaiting treatment at a general practitioner’s office for a small but bothersome wart, heard this loud call into the crowded waiting room, “Is our wart lady lady here yet?” She changed doctors after that embarrassing experience. Calling patients into medical office examination rooms while protecting their privacy and dignity is essential to maintaining their comfort and trust. Here are some good practices  for office and clinical staff to follow: Use Names Respectfully: Address patients by their last name and, if appropriate, their title (e.g., Mr., Mrs., Dr.) when calling them into the examination room. Avoid using overly familiar terms unless the patient has explicitly requested it. And no nicknames like ‘Wart Lady’ or ‘Jock Itch Guy.’ Wait… . . . read more.

FRAUD

What to do when a student forges a note from the doctor

Question: We were contacted by a local school today questioning a doctor’s note from the provider. We had the school send a copy of the note and learned that the parent of the patient (the patient is a minor) had created a letter that appeared to come from our practice. It looked like it was on letterhead, sort of, and included the practice information and the doctor’s name at the bottom of the letter. It was not signed but we still consider it a forgery since they are passing off a document as though we created it when we did not. Do you have any further ideas on how to deal with this? Answer: Dealing with a student or parent who has forged a doctor’s signature on a note to… . . . read more.

How to Avoid Costly Non-Compliance Penalties When Responding to Patient Requests for Medical Records

CLICK HERE to register for free. In this webinar, Suze Shaffer, President of Aris Medical Solutions, gives you the practical, “how-to” help you need to train your staff to be your first line of defense in guarding against non-compliance violations when responding to patient requests. You will discover: What the current HIPAA privacy rules require when a patient requests medical records … what must be provided … when and how request must be fulfilled Why you need to train your staff to comply with the rules on patient data requests … how to train your staff … why you need to train all your office staff, and more Why you need to set up audit logs for medical record requests … what these audit logs are …. what data you… . . . read more.

YOUR CAREER

Should I take a ‘dry’ promotion (without a raise)?

By Lynne Curry Question: An email with the subject line “good news” arrived in my inbox from my supervisor this morning. The good news I hoped for flashed across my mind as I imagined him saying he was moving to another state, and I’d be getting a new supervisor. He didn’t like me, and I didn’t like him. Instead, he told me I was being offered a promotion. He didn’t look pleased but said, “congratulations,” and handed me the paperwork I needed to sign “to make it official”. “Who’s my new supervisor?” “You’ll still report to me.” “What’s the raise?” “About that. This is a dry promotion.” “A what?” “A promotion without a raise. They happen all the time.” “You’re kidding.” “No. But you can always turn it down.” I… . . . read more.

Make a good impression with your email closing

How you end a business email can leave a lasting impression on the recipient. The right closing can make your email feel more professional and polished, while a poor closing can detract from the message you’re trying to convey. In this article, we’ll explore some tips and best practices for concluding your business emails in a way that leaves a positive impression on your recipients. Use a Professional Closing Your email closing should reflect the tone of your message and the relationship you have with the recipient. If you are writing a formal email, use a professional closing such as “Sincerely,” “Best regards,” or “Kind regards.” These closings are neutral and formal, and they convey professionalism and respect. Match the Tone of the Message If you are writing a more… . . . read more.

YOUR CAREER

And you are … ? How to prepare your elevator speech

Do you have an elevator speech prepared? An elevator speech, also known as an elevator pitch, is a concise and well-prepared verbal summary or introduction that you can deliver in the time it takes to ride an elevator, typically around 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The goal of an elevator speech is to effectively communicate who you are, what you do, and what you or your organization can offer or achieve in a clear and compelling manner. Elevator speeches are often used in various professional and networking settings, such as conferences, networking events,  job interviews, business meetings, or even casual encounters where you have a brief moment to make a memorable impression. The term “elevator pitch” originates from the idea that you should be able to convey your message within… . . . read more.

COMPLIANCE

What you should know about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The NPRM was posted by the Federal Register for public inspection on Aug. 7, 2023 and published in the Federal Register on Aug. 11, 2023. The NPRM is available at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/08/11/2023-17041/regulations-to-implement-the-pregnant-workers-fairness-act. The public may submit comments on that page by clicking on the green “Submit a Formal Comment” button until Oct. 10, 2023.  This document provides a summary of key portions of the NPRM. What is the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act? The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) is a new law that requires covered employers to provide “reasonable accommodations” to a worker’s known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless the accommodation will cause the employer an “undue hardship.”The PWFA applies only to… . . . read more.

Second job or side hustle: How to work with moonlighting employees

Dealing with moonlighting employees can be a delicate situation for an office manager. Moonlighting refers to employees holding a second job or pursuing other sources of income outside of their primary employment. While moonlighting itself might not be inherently negative, it can potentially impact an employee’s performance and commitment to their primary job. Here’s how an office manager could handle this situation: Review company policies: Before taking any action, review your company’s policies related to moonlighting or secondary employment. Some companies have specific guidelines in place, and it’s important to understand what your organization’s stance is on this issue. Assess performance: Evaluate whether the moonlighting is affecting the employee’s performance, productivity, or attendance at their primary job. If their work quality and commitment are suffering, it could be a cause… . . . read more.


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