The nation's leading medical flight charity, Miracle Flights, has reported 724 free flights provided in August to critically ill children and adults in need of specialized, distant medical care. Last month's total reflects a significant increase from 599 flights performed in August 2016. Since 1985, the Las Vegas–based national nonprofit organization has provided free medical … [Read more...] about Miracle Flights provides 724 free medical flights in August
Managing patients
CMS reveals new Medicare Card design
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently gave the public its first look at the newly designed Medicare card. The new Medicare card contains a unique, randomly assigned number that replaces the current Social Security-based number. CMS will begin mailing the new cards to people with Medicare benefits in April 2018 to meet the statutory deadline for … [Read more...] about CMS reveals new Medicare Card design
Patients with disabilities: your guide to basic etiquette
For a patient with a disability, an accommodation isn't enough. Behind that disability is a normal person, albeit a person with challenges, and the office has to treat the individual as such, says Lydia Ramsey, business etiquette consultant and author of the book, "Manners That Sell." Patients come to the office because of the medical services it provides, she says. But it's … [Read more...] about Patients with disabilities: your guide to basic etiquette
Improving patient flow with one simple gadget
Having an efficient patient flow is, of course, good for your patients and good for your practice. However, despite all your efforts, sometimes a good flow is derailed during transitions from one stage of a patient's visit to the next, negatively affecting both the patient's experience and your practice's productivity. Fortunately, not every problem needs an expensive solution, … [Read more...] about Improving patient flow with one simple gadget
Doctor.com launches first universal “web-wide” online scheduling solution for healthcare providers
Doctor.com, a customer experience platform purpose-built for the healthcare industry, has launched ScheduleSync™, the first universal web-wide online scheduling solution for healthcare providers. With ScheduleSync™, healthcare providers can enable powerful and highly customizable online scheduling on their own websites, blogs, and Facebook pages, as well as directly from their … [Read more...] about Doctor.com launches first universal “web-wide” online scheduling solution for healthcare providers
In the News: Alliance helps member physicians collect patient reviews and manage online reputation
Physicians belonging to Collier County Medical Society (CCMS) in Florida now have help boosting their online reputation and gaining insight into their practices from patient reviews about their experiences, thanks to a new strategic alliance with Testimonial Tree. For a discounted price, member physicians will have access to Testimonial Tree's reputation management services, … [Read more...] about In the News: Alliance helps member physicians collect patient reviews and manage online reputation
Most of nurse practitioners’ appointment time spent on patient education
Nurse practitioners play a crucial role in helping patients decode medical information, according to the findings of a recently released Merck Manuals survey. The survey of 210 NPs, conducted at a recent medical conference, revealed that most (88 percent) believe they spend at least half of appointment times educating patients on diagnoses, treatments, and prescriptions. A … [Read more...] about Most of nurse practitioners’ appointment time spent on patient education
When a physician commits suicide
The death of a physician or staff member can be difficult for a practice. The loss has an emotional impact on the people who worked with the individual, and the person's passing leaves an obvious void. It also results in numerous practical issues the office manager must address. But a death by suicide takes loss to an entirely different level. And when a physician commits … [Read more...] about When a physician commits suicide
Protecting your employees from workplace violence
By Lynne Curry bio On June 5, 2017, John Neumann Jr. brought a semiautomatic pistol and a hunting knife into his former workplace. He killed five people before turning his gun against himself. It's become chillingly commonplace for us to learn that a terminated employee has stormed into his former workplace and killed those he holds accountable. Each time, the rest … [Read more...] about Protecting your employees from workplace violence
5 ways for healthcare providers to get ready for new Medicare cards
By Dr. Richard E. Wild, M.D., FACEP Chief Medical Officer Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Region IV (AL, Fl, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN) Medicare is taking steps to remove Social Security numbers from Medicare cards. Through this initiative the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will prevent fraud, fight identity theft, and protect essential program funding and … [Read more...] about 5 ways for healthcare providers to get ready for new Medicare cards