Medical practices sometimes mistakenly believe that patient referrals don't matter. However, like customer referrals, patient referrals are an important—and often untapped—source of new business. There are multiple ways to make sure your practice is encouraging referrals. Here are several areas where you should focus. Family members and their friends Perhaps the most … [Read more...] about Patient referrals: an untapped source of new revenue
Managing the office
Kentucky pediatrics office finds these simple communication tactics can dramatically improve your patient satisfaction
When a Kentucky pediatrics office surveyed its customers, it found great dissatisfaction with the nursing staff. Parents said the nurses were too busy, didn't communicate well, and didn't take personal interest in their children, says the manager of the five-physician office. Yet the office has what she describes as "the sweetest, nicest, kindest nurses imaginable," and they as … [Read more...] about Kentucky pediatrics office finds these simple communication tactics can dramatically improve your patient satisfaction
In Florida, a wheel of fortune ends the not-my-job syndrome
A Florida manager has turned around the "that's-not-my-job" syndrome with a wheel of fortune that gets spun once a month and carries a dozen good items – gift certificates to car washes, movies, and grocery stores. The best is $100 cash. To spin the wheel, staff have to get nominated. And what they get nominated for is outstanding _____. The administrator of a pain management … [Read more...] about In Florida, a wheel of fortune ends the not-my-job syndrome
Model Policy: Nondiscrimination and diversity
Why you need this model policy: Offering equal opportunity to individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or other personal characteristics not related to their professional abilities is not just a legal mandate but an economic imperative. How this model policy helps you: The key to ensuring diversity … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Nondiscrimination and diversity
3 guidelines for building your medical practice’s budget
By Nick Hernandez bio It is once again time for medical practices to be working on their operating budget for the next calendar year. Unfortunately, too few practices actually take the time to create a meaningful budget, instead seeing the endeavor as complex and time-consuming, and usually resulting in something that won’t be used. Creating and following a budget involves … [Read more...] about 3 guidelines for building your medical practice’s budget
Texas health system settles potential HIPAA disclosure violations
Memorial Hermann Health System (MHHS) has agreed to pay $2.4 million to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and adopt a comprehensive corrective action plan to settle potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule. MHHS is a not-for-profit health system located in Southeast Texas, comprising 16 hospitals … [Read more...] about Texas health system settles potential HIPAA disclosure violations
How to determine your MIPS participation status
Are you unsure of your participation status in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)? Clinicians can now use an interactive tool on the CMS Quality Payment Program website to determine if they should participate in the MIPS track of the Quality Payment Program in 2017. To determine your status, enter your national provider identifier (NPI) into the entry field on … [Read more...] about How to determine your MIPS participation status
5 ways to end generational stereotyping in your organization
By William A. Schiemann, Ph.D bio These days, the Millennial Generation is hyped, perhaps even more than Baby Boomers were hyped in the 1950s and 1960s. As I meet with executives around the globe, there is widespread confusion and misunderstanding about generational differences. This is creating stereotypes that are inappropriate, rarely true, and costing … [Read more...] about 5 ways to end generational stereotyping in your organization
When watercooler talk turns political, office productivity drops
Employees in the US are finding it increasingly difficult to ignore political discussions in their workplace, and 31% believe political conversations among coworkers decrease their company's productivity. Throughout February 2017, Clutch, a B2B ratings and reviews site, surveyed 1,000 full-time employees to evaluate their experience with political expression in the workplace … [Read more...] about When watercooler talk turns political, office productivity drops
The four elements of successful operational planning
By Nick Hernandez bio Physicians are well aware of the need for planning. Indeed, they devise clinical plans on a daily basis as they formulate the best way in which to care for a patient. However, when is the last time you spent time working on operational planning for your practice? Many physicians or practice administrators reading this will be thinking, "Who has the time … [Read more...] about The four elements of successful operational planning