By Karen Mattocks bio It is every manager’s mantra: ‘Do more with the same number of staff.’ Translation? See more patients. Submit more claims. Generate more revenue—all while providing high-quality, low-cost care. How do successful managers accomplish this? They remove the organizational-level barriers that drain productivity, says Michael Mankins, co-author of Time, Talent, … [Read more...] about Five ways to boost practice efficiency on a shoestring budget
Productivity
Better productivity and a happier staff happen as ergonomics steps in
Ergonomics is good economics. When the work areas are in sync with the people spending their days in them, there’s no time lost to sick days and no money lost to low productivity, says Hayley Kaye, a certified professional ergonomist with HLK Consulting in New York City. Achieving that calls for attention to the desks, the telephones, and the chairs. But it also calls for … [Read more...] about Better productivity and a happier staff happen as ergonomics steps in
Easy ways to make your medical office healthier
A medical practice focuses on patient health and well-being. Yet, too often, the workplace doesn't promote staff health and well-being – and, in fact, detracts from it. Why does it matter? A healthy workplace encourages staff engagement and productivity, which has a direct impact on the profitability of the practice. To evaluate your workplace, and make necessary … [Read more...] about Easy ways to make your medical office healthier
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
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
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
Telecommuters not working out? It’s not the flexibility that’s the problem; it’s your training program
Are you seeing a surge in low morale and unproductivity among your remote workers? Research suggests that it may be your lack of strategy and training that's to blame, not the flexibility. According to new national research from the Flex+Strategy Group (FSG), major corporations such as IBM may have gotten it wrong when they cited remote work as a barrier to innovation and … [Read more...] about Telecommuters not working out? It’s not the flexibility that’s the problem; it’s your training program
3 bonus formulas that boost staff productivity
What bonuses should the office give, and how can it design the bonuses to increase productivity? As to the amount to give, a few consultants recommend setting aside as much as 17 percent to 21 percent of the monthly profits for staff bonuses. Most, however, recommend less. Whatever amount the office opts to allow, here are some ways to mete it out. Formula 1 The traditional … [Read more...] about 3 bonus formulas that boost staff productivity
Why you might want to give your employees the summer benefits they want
What do your employees want this summer? In a recent survey from staffing firm Accountemps, employees said the best summer perks their companies could provide to them are flexible schedules (52 percent) and early departure on Fridays (27 percent). But which perks are employers actually offering? Fifty-four percent of senior managers said flexible schedules, and only about one … [Read more...] about Why you might want to give your employees the summer benefits they want
Should your medical office have a moonlighting policy?
Ideally, you want medical office staff members to work only for the practice. This ensures that the job—the job they are doing for you—is their primary focus. Unfortunately, this expectation might not be realistic. Following the moon There are a number of reasons employees moonlight. The most common reason is money. Working a second job may be a necessity, especially for … [Read more...] about Should your medical office have a moonlighting policy?