By Lynne Curry Those casual everyday conversations we once enjoyed as we started our workday or ran into each other in the breakroom largely ended during the pandemic. For some, particularly those who work remotely or on a hybrid schedule, these conversations and workplace friendships never resumed. A recent survey of 3,000 U.S. employees revealed 69 percent felt unsatisfied … [Read more...] about How to revive workplace friendships
Use smarter scheduling for shorter waits
One of the biggest complaints from patients is long wait times. Improving wait times can make your patients happier and your office more efficient. Here are some simple steps you can take to make a big difference. First, it's essential to schedule smartly. Avoid overbooking your schedule to prevent long wait times and rushed appointments. Adding short breaks between … [Read more...] about Use smarter scheduling for shorter waits
Who’s going to win the return to the office battle?
By Lynne Curry After the pandemic wound to a close, employers began pushing employees to return to the office. Fifty percent of U.S. employers issued a full or hybrid RTO (return to office) mandate in 2022 and 2023, and almost all employers planned implementing an RTO mandate before the end of 2024. Employers perceived, and many experienced, benefits from implementing RTO … [Read more...] about Who’s going to win the return to the office battle?
HIPAA compliance checklist
Having a complete HIPAA compliance program is important to your organization. Run through this HIPAA compliance checklist to see if you have your foundation of HIPAA compliance in place and easily retrievable. HIPAA Policies and Procedures HIPAA privacy policies, procedures, and forms HIPAA security policies, procedures, and forms HIPAA Breach Notification policy and … [Read more...] about HIPAA compliance checklist
Manager briefing: Extreme heat emergency protocols
Objective: To ensure the safety and well-being of staff and patients during extreme heat weather conditions through proactive planning, immediate response measures, and ongoing monitoring. Key Points Preparation Emergency Plan Review and update the office’s emergency plan to include specific protocols for extreme heat. Ensure all staff are familiar with the … [Read more...] about Manager briefing: Extreme heat emergency protocols
Good responses to bad patient reviews
It is important to address every online review—good or bad—publicly so that others reading the review will know you are responsive to patient communication and concerns. Here are some simple steps to addressing a bad review, potentially resolving the patient’s complaint and showing possible future patients how you deal with patient concerns. Keep your cool As much as we … [Read more...] about Good responses to bad patient reviews
Your interview notes could get you in trouble
By Dr. Steve M. Cohen bio Although workforce disasters usually make the headlines, there are a number of "basic" human resource tasks that should not be discounted. One is the job candidate interview. Theoretically, interviews should not be a problem. They're a common occurrence, with no possible traps, right? After all, the candidate just wants the job and you are … [Read more...] about Your interview notes could get you in trouble
How to improve communication between clinical and admin staff
As a medical office manager, you understand the critical importance of effective communication between healthcare staff and administrative staff. Smooth communication ensures that your office operates efficiently and provides the best possible care for patients. Here are some practical steps you can take to improve communication within your team. Firstly, establish regular … [Read more...] about How to improve communication between clinical and admin staff
Medical office audit tool for quality and efficiency
Conducting regular audits is crucial for maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency. The following tool will help you systematically evaluate different aspects of your office operations. Use this checklist to identify areas for improvement and ensure your practice runs smoothly. 1. Patient Scheduling and Flow a. Appointment Scheduling: Is … [Read more...] about Medical office audit tool for quality and efficiency
9 things to know about billing software
The large majority of medical offices use billing software. If you haven't made the leap to billing software yet, or if you are shopping for a new software vendor, here are things to know. With billing software, you can automate the entire billing process, from sending out invoices to processing payments. This can save you a lot of time and reduce the risk of errors. This … [Read more...] about 9 things to know about billing software