Last year, Americans used 17.2 vacation days, the most since 2010 according to new research from Project: Time Off. Despite this marked improvement, 52 percent of employees reported leaving vacation days unused at the end of the year. The new report, Under-Vacationed America: A State-by-State Look at Time Off and Travel, provides a look at vacation behavior in all 50 states. … [Read more...] about Who tops the nation in vacation days?
Managing the office
A little money here, a little there; where to find the sleeping savings
When the money's tight, the manager has to squeeze the nickels—particularly in a small office where falling revenues are keenly felt. And a New Jersey manager has done just that. She has found appreciable savings on expenses that come in month after month but tend to get overlooked in more profitable times. With two physicians, one nurse practitioner, and only five staff, the … [Read more...] about A little money here, a little there; where to find the sleeping savings
Why strategic planning is a must for practices
By Nick Hernandez bio Strategic planning is not the same as operational planning. The former is focused on broad and long-lasting issues that ensure the medical practice's long-term effectiveness and survival. The latter focuses on achieving objectives and carrying out short-term activities. Strategic planning functions as the "design" just as a blueprint functions … [Read more...] about Why strategic planning is a must for practices
Ohio staff spend one day a month in each of the other positions
The profit margin is so small that no medical office can afford to have people doing bits of work, says the manager of a digestive health medical practice in Ohio. For efficiency, everybody has to have a concept of what everybody else is doing. To achieve just that, she requires her staff to spend one day a month in each of the other jobs. Sometimes one person sits with … [Read more...] about Ohio staff spend one day a month in each of the other positions
Build your hiring muscles through advanced hiring techniques
Hiring is a critical task for every medical office manager, yet sometimes it may seem hard or nearly impossible to find, screen and hire great employees. That needn't be the case, according to Paul Edwards, CEO and co-founder of CEDR HR Solutions of Tucson, AZ. He says the average cost of employee turnover runs between 50 percent and 200 percent of an employee's annual … [Read more...] about Build your hiring muscles through advanced hiring techniques
What #MeToo means for corporate America and why employers must continue to address sexual harassment in the workplace
The #MeToo movement brought awareness and conversation to one of the most urgent issues facing the workplace today, but not enough data has been available to point to the causes or solutions until now. A new study, "What #MeToo Means for Corporate America," conducted by the Center for Talent Innovation (CTI), is the first of its kind to measure the scope of the problem within … [Read more...] about What #MeToo means for corporate America and why employers must continue to address sexual harassment in the workplace
5 actions to take when you hear, “I don’t trust you”
By Audrey Epstein bio Talking about trust is tough in business. When a colleague tells you, "I don't trust you" your first instinct is probably to react defensively or aggressively, and rarely with curiosity and an openness to understand. You take "I don't trust you" as an attack on your character and an afront to your integrity. But trust is the foundation for strong, … [Read more...] about 5 actions to take when you hear, “I don’t trust you”
3 tips for selecting a health and benefits advisor
By David C. Fortosis bio The responsibility of selecting, designing, financing, and managing employee benefits is a critical task in today's medical office business. Retirement and medical benefits are subject to more and more legislation and require adherence to legislative mandates. In addition, the combination of retirement and health and welfare benefits … [Read more...] about 3 tips for selecting a health and benefits advisor
With quality a monthly topic, improvements are never ending
A surgery practice in Grand Rapids, MI, stays in constant improvement mode with ongoing quality discussions. Quality is part of the agenda of the monthly business meetings, which include both staff and physicians, says practice manager Jennifer Jamula of Pediatric Surgeons of West Michigan. “Anything somebody thinks needs improvement” is open to discussion – patient care, … [Read more...] about With quality a monthly topic, improvements are never ending
The patient privacy epidemic and what can be done about it
By Mark Hughes In most medical office or hospital reception areas, speech privacy is virtually nonexistent. Because these spaces rarely have walls or partitions to block sound, patients often overhear conversations between office personnel and other patients. Lack of speech privacy is by no means confined to reception areas and pharmacy lines – the problem is also present … [Read more...] about The patient privacy epidemic and what can be done about it