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 … [Read more...] about What to do when a student forges a note from the doctor
Reader tips
Model COVID-19 Medical Screening Policy
Regulators have made it clear that given the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, employers may implement pre-screening measures to ensure that people who have or may have the virus don’t get into work and spread it to others. But limits still apply and you can get into a lot of trouble if you don’t follow them. Here’s a Model Policy your lab can adapt that provides … [Read more...] about Model COVID-19 Medical Screening Policy
Getting that new patient info into EHR before appointment
Here are some reader tips for getting new patient information into the electronic health records prior to an appointment. They come from Tina Wheeler, Practice Manager for General and Laparoscopic Surgical Associates in Maryville, Il. This busy multi-physician general surgery office has four physicians and one nurse practitioner, with patients scheduled among these five … [Read more...] about Getting that new patient info into EHR before appointment
Missouri staff train each other on solving the day-to-day issues
The best staff training, says a Missouri medical office manager, is the training staff give one another. At the OB/GYN office, staff do just that. They hold training sessions for one another on a "when-needed, what's-needed, and who-needs-it" basis. The office has four physicians and 25 staff. There's no set routine. The manager simply schedules an in-service whenever she sees … [Read more...] about Missouri staff train each other on solving the day-to-day issues
Separate room for schedulers calms front office chaos
A few years ago, a North Carolina pediatric practice realized that the front desk is not the best place to check people in, make return appointments, and schedule new appointments – all at the same time. With staff constantly having to answer phones, the area was too busy and too noisy to give waiting patients the attention they deserved. People were waiting in line only to … [Read more...] about Separate room for schedulers calms front office chaos
Weekly applause sheet creates positive attitude among staff
Any office experiences negative feelings among staff. But Sharon Hunter, manager of Granbury Internal Medical Associates in Granbury, TX, found a positive and lasting solution to the problem. It's what she terms an "applause sheet." At the top of the page is the name of one staffer, and the directions are to write down "the most valuable qualities that person has." The answers … [Read more...] about Weekly applause sheet creates positive attitude among staff
Illinois manager challenges the status quo, creates taskforce committee
A new manager comes to a medical practice with enthusiasm and new ideas. But it's easy to allow both to get sidelined by a staff comfortable with routine. "When I started as practice manager three years ago, I constantly heard from people, 'that's not the way we've always done it,'" says Mary L. Banks, CPC, CHISP, practice administrator at AOS (Associates in Orthopaedic … [Read more...] about Illinois manager challenges the status quo, creates taskforce committee
How an OBGYN practice increased their Google ratings
Prospective patients frequently rely on online reviews from current or former patients before selecting a physician. But how can you convince your satisfied patients to post good reviews? Here's how one OG-GYN practice handled it. "We are a private practice OBGYN office in Southern New Hampshire," writes Administrative Coordinator, Amanda Giglio, "and, as a specialty … [Read more...] about How an OBGYN practice increased their Google ratings
Roundtable discussions focus on ‘whatever anybody needs help with’
Staff meetings are important, but they aren't enough, says Martha King, practice manager of Portland Surgical Associates in Portland, ME. Generally, staff meetings cover things staff don't have a hand in. What King has found is that staff also need time to discuss operational matters and talk about "whatever anybody needs help with." So for those other things, King holds … [Read more...] about Roundtable discussions focus on ‘whatever anybody needs help with’
Employee incentive program increases number of patient well exams—and practice revenue
Pediatric Medical Group of Santa Maria, located in Santa Maria, CA, has found a way to quadruple the amount of well child and well baby exams at its office. "In the past, we always ran a recall report and had our staff call patients that were due for well exams," Camille Gamble, practice manager, tells Medical Office Manager. Although the process seemed to work okay, … [Read more...] about Employee incentive program increases number of patient well exams—and practice revenue