A supply order arrives, and a staffer opens a cabinet to put it away. Behind another box sits an unopened package of the same item. Was the new order unnecessary? Perhaps. Or perhaps the practice needs both packages, but nobody knew where the first one was stored. Duplicate purchasing often begins with an ordinary problem: someone cannot find a supply, assumes the office is … [Read more...] about Why Are We Ordering Supplies We Already Have?
Increasing profits
What Your Cancellation List Is Telling You
An appointment opens tomorrow afternoon. Your staffer calls the first patient on the cancellation list, leaves a message, and moves on to the next task. By the time someone calls back, the slot is still empty. The problem may not be a lack of demand. It may be that your cancellation list contains too little information to help staff match an opening with a patient who can … [Read more...] about What Your Cancellation List Is Telling You
Five Revenue Leaks Hiding in Your Daily Schedule
A full appointment schedule can give the impression that the practice is having a productive day. Every slot is occupied, the waiting room is busy and the phones are ringing. But a scheduled appointment does not automatically become collected revenue. Some visits arrive with problems that were visible before the patient walked through the door. The wrong visit type was … [Read more...] about Five Revenue Leaks Hiding in Your Daily Schedule
The Five Minutes Before the Doors Open
The office may not officially open until 8 a.m., but experienced office managers know the day starts well before the first patient walks through the door. Those few quiet minutes are an opportunity to look ahead instead of reacting. They aren't spent trying to answer one more email or squeeze in one more task. They're spent scanning for the small problems that could become … [Read more...] about The Five Minutes Before the Doors Open
When a Provider is Always Running Late
A provider who runs 10 minutes behind occasionally is practicing medicine. A provider who is 45 minutes behind every afternoon may be working in a system that needs fixing. Chronic delays frustrate patients, put front-desk staffers in the uncomfortable position of repeatedly apologizing, push other staffers past their scheduled hours and can turn an otherwise well-run medical … [Read more...] about When a Provider is Always Running Late
Using Patient Waitlists Effectively
A cancellation at 10:15 tomorrow morning shouldn't automatically mean an empty appointment slot. Chances are, someone would be delighted to take it. The problem is connecting that patient with the opening quickly enough to make it useful. A well-managed waitlist can help a medical practice fill cancellations, give patients earlier access to care and make better use of … [Read more...] about Using Patient Waitlists Effectively
Elevating Your Practice: The Power of Continuing Education for Medical Office Managers
The healthcare field is constantly evolving. New technologies, changing regulations, and shifting patient needs are just a few of the factors that require your office to stay adaptable and up-to-date. One of the most effective ways to ensure your skills and the skills of your team remain sharp and relevant is through continuing education. Continuing education is not just about … [Read more...] about Elevating Your Practice: The Power of Continuing Education for Medical Office Managers
Why Every Office Manager Should Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
You’re the hub of activity and the go-to problem solver when you are an office manager. You’ve probably answered the same questions more times than you can count or had to troubleshoot chaos when key team members were out of the office. These scenarios—and many more—underscore the critical need for Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in your office. SOPs might not sound … [Read more...] about Why Every Office Manager Should Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
How to Make Yourself More Valuable to Your Medical Practice
The typical medical office manager is already wearing a lot of hats—problem solver, team leader, scheduler, and the go-to person for just about everything. But if you’re looking to grow in your role and make yourself even more indispensable to your practice, it pays to be intentional about how you show up and contribute. Being valuable isn't just about doing your job well—it's … [Read more...] about How to Make Yourself More Valuable to Your Medical Practice
Why and How to Review Vendor Contracts Annually
Running a medical practice smoothly requires juggling a wide range of responsibilities. Among these, one crucial yet often overlooked task is the annual review of purchasing vendor contracts. This process is essential not only for controlling costs but also for ensuring compliance, maintaining service quality, and staying adaptable to evolving needs. Here’s why and how to … [Read more...] about Why and How to Review Vendor Contracts Annually