National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), observed in October, is a time to recognize victims and raise awareness about the devastating impact of domestic violence. As the manager of a medical office, you are in a unique position to detect possible abuse of both patients and staff members and to be of help. Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any … [Read more...] about How to help someone suffering domestic abuse
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Plan now for a smooth winter holiday season
As autumn paints the world in warm hues, it's time to plan how to keep the office running smoothly over the holiday season. Staff scheduling and coverage One of the foremost considerations in holiday planning is managing staff scheduling and coverage. Start by reviewing vacation requests submitted by your staff. Ensure that requests are handled well in advance, allowing ample … [Read more...] about Plan now for a smooth winter holiday season
The importance of proofreading in a medical office: Ensuring accuracy and professionalism
In a medical office, attention to detail and precision are of utmost importance. From patient records to communication with healthcare providers, even a minor error can have serious consequences. Proofreading plays a critical role in maintaining accuracy and professionalism in medical documentation. In this article, we will explore the significance of proofreading for medical … [Read more...] about The importance of proofreading in a medical office: Ensuring accuracy and professionalism
What you should know about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The NPRM was posted by the Federal Register for public inspection on Aug. 7, 2023 and published in the Federal Register on Aug. 11, 2023. The NPRM is available at … [Read more...] about What you should know about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
Develop a habit of training your staff and create a corporate culture of excellence
"Excellence is an art won by training and habituation," said Aristotle. "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit." If excellence is a habit you'd like to instill in your staff, then you need to train them properly and make a habit, too, of training and retraining. Why invest in training employees? There are many reasons there's an ongoing … [Read more...] about Develop a habit of training your staff and create a corporate culture of excellence
Make someone responsible for HIPAA compliance and security
By Suze Shaffer Preventing data breaches and securing patient data is everyone’s responsibility, but the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) requires someone to be the point person. Make sure you have assigned a HIPAA Privacy Officer and a HIPAA Security Officer. Everyone in the practice needs to know who these people are by these titles. In a small practice it could be just one … [Read more...] about Make someone responsible for HIPAA compliance and security
17 projects for the last quarter of 2023
As we start the last quarter of the year, it's time to plan the projects that need to be done before we close out 2023. Here's a list to consider. Financial Review: a. Review the year-to-date financial statements to assess the financial health of the practice. b. Prepare a budget for the upcoming year, considering revenue, expenses, and capital investments. Insurance … [Read more...] about 17 projects for the last quarter of 2023
Patient resources for Healthy Aging Month
September is Healthy Aging Month. Here are resources from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to encourage your patients to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Services to recommend: Preventive services Cognitive assessment & care plan services Chronic care management services Behavioral health integration services Information for your patients: Preventive … [Read more...] about Patient resources for Healthy Aging Month
Know the signs and risk factors for physician suicide
This week of Sept. 10 through Sept. 16 is National Suicide Prevention Week, and Sunday, Sep. 17, is National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. Physicians are at a higher risk of suicide and suicidal ideation than the general population, says the American Medical Association. Suicidal ideation has been associated with high workload volume and medical errors. Although previous … [Read more...] about Know the signs and risk factors for physician suicide
Is our wart lady here yet? Respecting patient privacy and dignity
True story: A friend of a staff member here at Medical Office Manager, awaiting treatment at a general practitioner's office for a small but bothersome wart, heard this loud call into the crowded waiting room, "Is our wart lady here yet?" She changed doctors after that embarrassing experience. Calling patients into medical office examination rooms while protecting their … [Read more...] about Is our wart lady here yet? Respecting patient privacy and dignity