By Nick Hernandez bio Medical practices should take a measured approach to the future of their practice, keeping in mind that patients define value as appointment access and availability. With the changes and incentives (often misaligned incentives) in play as a result of healthcare reform, many hospitals and provider groups are hedging their bets that bigger is … [Read more...] about Putting the patient first
Managing patients
Is your medical office prepared to accommodate an aging population?
Talk of an aging population isn't idle chatter. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2030 will mark a significant turning point in the nation's history. By then, all baby boomers will be older than 65. This means that one in every five residents will be retirement age. An aging population presents increasing challenges from the standpoint of health care and related patient … [Read more...] about Is your medical office prepared to accommodate an aging population?
How one medical center created their dream schedule
At Barnard Medical Center in Washington, DC, the staff and physicians worked together to create a schedule that meets of the patients, as well as the practice's working parents. Melissa Gohacki, the practice manager, explains how the schedule was designed. I work at a small primary care office- two physicians and two NPs. One of the physicians is married to one of the NPs, and … [Read more...] about How one medical center created their dream schedule
Do you have the ‘right stuff’ to be a successful medical office manager?
As the office manager of a medical practice, you have an opportunity to learn, grow, and make a valuable contribution. "You really get the chance to be a part of a small business and to wear a lot of different hats," says Mary Pat Whaley, co-founder and president of Manage My Practice, a medical practice consulting firm. What's more, because most physicians are not business … [Read more...] about Do you have the ‘right stuff’ to be a successful medical office manager?
Use weekly meetings with doctors to keep office running smoothly
Meeting every week with the doctors makes a tremendous difference in how smoothly – and also how successfully – an office operates, says the manager of a pediatrics practice in Colorado. For her office, it's an 8 a.m. meeting every Monday, a good time, because it sets the tone for the week. It also keeps everybody on the same page. And it ensures that the doctors know all the … [Read more...] about Use weekly meetings with doctors to keep office running smoothly
What happened when a doctor cried on social media
By Ron Harman King, MS bio There's a lot of debate in the healthcare profession these days about social media. On one hand, I've heard some good arguments against doctors taking precious time from successful practices for social media and also against using social media to communicate directly with patients, which obviously creates big privacy problems. On the other … [Read more...] about What happened when a doctor cried on social media
7 best practices for optimizing your collections
By Ranadene (Randi) K. Tapio, MBA, CMRS, CMC, Guest Contributor bio Collections isn't the most glamorous part of running a practice. Perhaps the only thing worse than making collections calls is receiving them! Unfortunately, collections is necessary and if done correctly, it will allow you to collect on accounts that have sat stagnant for months, sometimes years. In … [Read more...] about 7 best practices for optimizing your collections
Don’t put your good customer service on hold
By Mark Williamson, CEO at PHMG bio Good customer service isn't just limited to providing first-class medical care. From the moment a patient first comes into contact with your company, a high level of service should be at the forefront of your responsibilities. Good manners, a friendly attitude, and going above and beyond all help make your patients feel … [Read more...] about Don’t put your good customer service on hold
What is the ‘patient experience’ like at your medical practice?
You may have come across the term, "patient experience" lately and assumed it is equivalent to "customer experience" in other industries. Although there are similarities between the two terms, there are also major differences. Everything that happens in a customer experience is applicable to the patient experience, says Jason Wolf, president of The Beryl Institute, a global … [Read more...] about What is the ‘patient experience’ like at your medical practice?
Diagnostic errors and test results top ECRI Institute’s patient safety list
Diagnostic errors and improper management of test results in electronic health records (EHRs) were recently named by ECRI Institute as among the most serious patient safety challenges facing healthcare leaders in 2019. Released in conjunction with National Patient Safety Awareness week, ECRI's Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns for 2019 raises the profile of safety issues that pose … [Read more...] about Diagnostic errors and test results top ECRI Institute’s patient safety list