By Brady Wilson bio Many times, I've seen business leaders send their employees off to time management courses in the hopes that the training will help increase engagement and productivity. Many times, I've seen those same leaders show bewilderment when the training doesn't seem to have any impact—or worse yet, results in employees being less engaged and less … [Read more...] about What we’re overlooking when it comes to time management
Working with physicians
What employee drug use is costing your practice
Workers with substance use disorders miss nearly 50 percent more days than their peers, and up to six weeks of work annually, according to analysis from the National Safety Council, NORC at the University of Chicago, and Shatterproof. Despite the alarming new statistics, there is a persistent gap between employer perceptions of impact and the actual human and business costs … [Read more...] about What employee drug use is costing your practice
Why your latest management decision failed
When making significant decisions, have you noticed how difficult it is to come to a rational decision, even with a mastery of facts and employing logical thinking? Have you noticed that at every step of the process, there are players who push back, so that even the most obvious decisions become tortured? What's going on here? Did you ignore the social space? According to … [Read more...] about Why your latest management decision failed
Spreadsheets track everything from payers to subscriptions
The manager of a surgical medical office in Maine tracks both the big and the not-so-big elements of office management on spreadsheets. The spreadsheets show past numbers, current numbers, credentialing deadlines, and even when subscription renewals are coming up. And the result is that all the files are in one place and all the information is always readily available. The … [Read more...] about Spreadsheets track everything from payers to subscriptions
8 Changes to the Trump Travel Ban
Although it applies to all industries, the Trump travel ban will have a disproportionate impact on health care providers. We recently outlined the major effects based on the first version of the executive order and even though the newly issued version looks like the original, there are a few key changes that you need to know about. Here's a quick rundown in the form of a … [Read more...] about 8 Changes to the Trump Travel Ban
Just promoted to office manager? Follow these 9 critical rules to avoid problems managing former friends and colleagues
Getting promoted to office manager can be a mixed blessing. As a former staffer, the new manager comes into the job knowing the good performers, the bad performers, the shortcuts, the troublemakers—and a few secrets. But the former peers also know their new boss, including strengths, weaknesses, and what buttons to push. Along with that, they are wondering how their … [Read more...] about Just promoted to office manager? Follow these 9 critical rules to avoid problems managing former friends and colleagues
How Mission Health fought back against burnout
According to a 2016 Advisory Board report, more than 50 percent of all physicians report symptoms of burnout, and an equal 50 percent of nurses report feeling emotionally exhausted. Burnout is associated with lower patient experience scores and lower physician levels of empathy, according to a 2014 Annals of Family Medicine study. In addition, burnout leads to greater … [Read more...] about How Mission Health fought back against burnout
For a Colorado clinic, telecommuting fills the gap in long-term absences
A large Colorado clinic has started allowing staff to work from home. But unlike most employers, it doesn't view telecommuting as a way to reduce overhead. Instead, the clinic uses it to accommodate staffers who would otherwise have to take extended time off. And it's picky about who can take advantage of it. The clinic introduced telecommuting after one staffer's child became … [Read more...] about For a Colorado clinic, telecommuting fills the gap in long-term absences
Five things medical offices need to know about the Trump travel ban
We'll leave it to others to argue whether it's legal, moral, or wise. What we can tell you is that President Trump issued an Executive Order Jan. 27, 2017, establishing a travel ban that can affect healthcare providers. Litigation has resulted in a temporary reprieve from the ban issued on Feb. 3. However, it's a good idea to understand what is at stake and how the ban—if it … [Read more...] about Five things medical offices need to know about the Trump travel ban
Beware of HIPAA-related text messaging risks
The ease, speed, and efficiency of mobile device-based text messaging has made it a primary communications tool among doctors and other health care providers, covered entities, and business associates. But this convenience can also lead to security risks, cautions Melissa (Lisa) Thompson, a shareholder in national law firm LeClairRyan's Boston office. "Unless preventive … [Read more...] about Beware of HIPAA-related text messaging risks