Managers make a lot of clumsy mistakes with firings. And it’s usually because they don’t know what to say. Sometimes they want to make the firing easier on…
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Before, during and after a flood: Is your medical office prepared?
12:49 pm by
Flood preparedness is an ongoing process. Regularly review and update your flood preparedness plan to ensure it remains effective and aligned with any changes in your medical office’s operations and environment. Pre-Flood Preparedness: Risk Assessment: Identify flood-prone areas near the medical office and assess the likelihood of flooding. Emergency Contacts: Maintain a list of emergency contacts, including local authorities, emergency services, and utility companies. Emergency Response Team: Designate a team responsible for managing flood situations, including medical personnel and administrative staff. Communication Plan: Develop a communication plan to quickly inform staff, patients, and relevant stakeholders about flooding and evacuation procedures. Evacuation Routes: Establish clear evacuation routes and assembly points for staff and patients in case of flooding. Patient Records and Data: Ensure patient records and electronic health records are backed… . . . read more.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Be ready for disaster with an emergency preparedness plan
1:27 pm by
From power outages to rainstorms, earthquakes to wildfires, the unexpected can happen. That’s why your office needs a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan is essential. Here are key steps in establishing a plan. 1. Assess Vulnerabilities: Begin by identifying potential risks that could impact your office, such as natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, hurricanes), power outages, fires, or even public health emergencies like pandemics. Tailor your preparedness plan to address these specific scenarios. 2. Develop an Emergency Response Team: Designate a team of individuals responsible for coordinating emergency responses. Assign roles such as emergency coordinator, medical responders, communications officer, and evacuation leader. Ensure team members receive proper training and drills. 3. Create Emergency Protocols: Draft clear and concise emergency protocols for different situations. Include step-by-step instructions on evacuation procedures, patient care during… . . . read more.
COMPLIANCE
18 ways your medical office can run afoul of laws and regulations
10:51 am by
Running a medical office comes the responsibility for ensuring compliance with various laws and regulations. Failure to meet compliance requirements can lead to legal, financial, and reputational troubles. Here are some—but by no means all—the ways your medical office can run into compliance trouble: HIPAA Violations: Failure to protect patient health information and maintain patient confidentiality as mandated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Inadequate Informed Consent: Not obtaining proper informed consent from patients before conducting procedures or treatments, which is essential for respecting patient autonomy. Improper Billing and Coding: Incorrectly coding medical procedures or submitting fraudulent claims to insurance companies, leading to potential legal and financial consequences. Antikickback Statute Violations: Engaging in inappropriate financial arrangements or incentives that could influence referrals or medical decisions, violating the… . . . read more.
TOOLS
Sample policy for a medical office on diversity, equity and inclusion
7:17 pm by
Office Policy on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy Statement: At [Medical Office Name], we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that values and respects the diversity of our employees, patients, and the communities we serve. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to providing quality healthcare and promoting overall well-being. This policy outlines our commitment to creating a workplace that is free from discrimination, bias, and harassment, and promotes equal access to healthcare for all. Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination: 1.1. [Medical Office Name] is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal treatment and opportunities to all employees, regardless of their race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable… . . . read more.
MANAGING STAFF
How to handle a scamming, scheming staffer
10:50 am by
By Lynne Curry Question: I run a small firm. When I advertised for a new hire, I didn’t find anyone who had the right skill set. “Will” applied. Although he lacked the skills I sought, he interviewed well and said he was willing to learn everything necessary to become my No. 1 employee. I took a chance on him and invested months in training him. He shadowed me, developed rapport with my key clients, and learned strategies I’d spent 20 years developing. We had one skirmish. When he found out how much I was paying his predecessor, he lobbied fiercely for a raise. Although his work didn’t justify the salary I was already paying him, he had good natural talent and I didn’t want to start over with a new… . . . read more.
YOUR CAREER
Navigating career growth: 6 advancement opportunities for medical office managers
5:55 pm by
Are you looking to make a move along your career path? Here are six directions a medical office manager can go, often within the same practice or healthcare organization: Practice administrator: A promotion to the role of practice administrator involves overseeing the overall operations and management of a healthcare practice. This position offers a broader scope of responsibilities, including financial management, strategic planning, staff supervision, and maintaining regulatory compliance. It provides an opportunity to take on a leadership role and shape the future of the practice. Regional manager: As a regional manager, you would oversee multiple medical office locations within a specific geographic area. Responsibilities include coordinating the smooth operation of each office, managing budgets, implementing standardized procedures, and fostering collaboration among different teams. This role allows you to gain… . . . read more.
MANAGING STAFF
Don’t delay if you have to deliver bad news
10:43 am by
By Lynne Curry “It’s not the difficult conversations that bite you the hardest,” I told the manager. “It’s the ones you put off until too late.” I listened to the manager’s reasons and told him, “Here are the risks you take. You dread telling ‘Robert’ what and how he needs to improve because he lashes out at you and remains sullen for days after you’ve counseled him. You finally draft a written reprimand, but before you deliver it, Robert voices a safety concern in front of others. Now your reprimand seems seem retaliatory—and Robert’s an employee who feels justified in reporting his grievance to a regulatory agency.” “You’ve told me ‘Caitlin’ spends more time talking with coworkers than working. She makes lots of errors. You keep hoping she’ll improve, but… . . . read more.
RISK MANAGEMENT
Model Policy: Medications error reporting
8:03 am by
Why you need this policy:
RISK MANAGEMENT
Model Policy: OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control
3:22 am by
Why you need this policy:
