How to ensure a smooth transition when you upgrade your EMR software or install a new system Just when everyone is trained and comfortable with your EMR system, along comes an upgrade. Keeping up with the demands of meaningful use and changing regulations has software vendors sending out upgrades with alarming frequency. This means that you may be spending far more time and … [Read more...] about What? Not another upgrade!
Purchasing and leasing
Use weekly meetings with doctors to keep office running smoothly
Meeting every week with the doctors makes a tremendous difference in how smoothly – and also how successfully – an office operates, says the manager of a pediatrics practice in Colorado. For her office, it's an 8 a.m. meeting every Monday, a good time, because it sets the tone for the week. It also keeps everybody on the same page. And it ensures that the doctors know all the … [Read more...] about Use weekly meetings with doctors to keep office running smoothly
6 key ingredients of a profitable medical practice
Medical office managers are often so focused on the day-to-day that it can be easy to lose sight of the big picture. That big picture is profitability—because, without it, the practice will not remain in business. Although profitability isn't rocket science—after all, only rocket science is rocket science—it does require attention to detail, or what Medical Office Manager … [Read more...] about 6 key ingredients of a profitable medical practice
Try these no-cost ways to boost staff morale
To have good employees, an office "has to treat people right," says Sabrina Hebert, manager of Northlake Surgical Associates, a five-physician, 12-staff office in Covington, LA. And her office does that by giving benefits that are a bit out of the ordinary, are well appreciated – and cost little or nothing. The favorite is gift cards. At $0 cost. Herbert buys them with the … [Read more...] about Try these no-cost ways to boost staff morale
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
25 ideas for going green at work
To help celebrate Earth Day, here are 25 ideas for going green at work from FlexJobs, a telecommuting and flexible job site that has long promoted going green in its business practices. Take a look at these tips and then consider going green whenever possible, every day. It's easier than you might think to make every day Earth day. Reduce or eliminate your paper usage. Print … [Read more...] about 25 ideas for going green at work
Six HIPAA violations you may be missing
Is your practice HIPAA compliant? Are you sure? Most health-care providers take very seriously this federal mandate to protect patient privacy—at least in theory. In practice, however, lots of things get missed. "When HIPAA was new and everyone was going to lectures and conferences and getting training, everyone was on top of it," says Erika Adler, an attorney specializing in … [Read more...] about Six HIPAA violations you may be missing
By following strict procedures, New York office has ‘a stellar year’
A three-physician New York City surgery practice had a stellar year. It attributes its success to the fact that everybody follows strict and detailed procedures. Procedures produce efficiency, says Veronica L. Mogerman, administrator at Manhattan Surgical Associates. And efficiency means the office operates at top capacity and staff give patients top quality service, which … [Read more...] about By following strict procedures, New York office has ‘a stellar year’
Your biggest job? Motivating your staff
By Steve M. Cohen bio There are a lot of tough jobs associated with managing a medical office. One of the most difficult is motivating your staff and keeping them motivated. This area is difficult for several reasons. It's intangible—you can't always see the results, at least not immediately. What works for one person often won't work for another. Worst of all, it's … [Read more...] about Your biggest job? Motivating your staff
How to handle a rude dude
As a medical office manager, you interact with a lot of people. There are staffers, contract workers, patients, sales reps, clinicians, and physicians, as well as service technicians, building and maintenance workers, and others. Given that you are in contact with so many people, you are bound to come across a type of person that, unfortunately, is common to the human … [Read more...] about How to handle a rude dude