Operations

Make sure you know everything you need to know.

Tell 'em what you want and how you'd like to hear about what happened.

Placing a sign-in sheet on the reception desk makes the reception process less friendly. Instead, try asking patients to fill out this slip -- and do the necessary paperwork immediately.

Abstracted with permission from Chapter 4 of The Toyota Way by Jeffrey Liker. This chapter summarizes the principles of lean manufacturing, now being used in medical practices. Order the book at www.amazon.com.

Consider this template for annual or quarterly reviews of the performance of business managers in your practice. Of course, make sure your review reflects goals set at the beginning of the year or in a job description.

Need a better way to track the status of lab work you've ordered -- but not ready for an EMR? This Excel document provides semi-automation.Be sure to turn on your macros and review the instructiosn on the last worksheet.Provided by www.docsboard.com.

Make sure the tests you ordered get done, that you get the results and that the patients knows if anything is wrong. Print this form on carbon paper to create two copies: Send one copy to the lab. Keep the other in the office, but don't file it until the results come back and the patient is notified. If the form is still sitting out a month after the test was ordered, you'll know to follow-up.

This is similar to the general notice above, but is specifically for laboratory work. Again, this form comes directly from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Access its Web site for more information.

Compare your denial rate from Medicare to national averages for your specialty by total amount denied, number of services denied, or percent of services denied. Data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Get the message right the first time. Use this form to make sure all the information is covered.

Physicians often want to review an overdue patient account before it is sent to a collection agency. Staff can use this form to summarize the status of the account, making review easier.

Ask staff to sign this agreement, showing that they understand the need to protect patient confidentiality.

Smooth patient referrals -- and your relationship with specialists -- with this easy form.

If you are shopping for sharps or syringes, make your selection easier using this template. Provided courtesy of Quality America, Inc. For more information about OSHA compliance, please visit www.quality-america.com.

Opening a new practice? Here are some of the things you will need to get done before the doors open.

Instead of having patients carry all their medications to every visit, ask them to bring in this simple chart. It's a more efficient way to check for counterindications. You can even give patients a digital copy by saving it to a disk or e-mailing a copy. That makes it easy for patients to update it.

Detailed elements to consider when reviewing workflow in your office. Use this checklist to help define staff responsibilities and best methods to make workflow seamless.

You give annual reviews to staff, why not to physicians? This form gives physicians feedback about their clinical quality, bedside manner, and ability to work with others.

Specialists, use this waiver if a patient forgot his referral. It says that the patient agrees to pay for services rendered that are not covered by his managed care company.

An easy way to find out what patients think of your practice -- and where you need to improve.

Michael Howe, former CEO of CVS MinuteClinic, discusses how care-delivery models will continue to change and what physicians can learn from industries outside of healthcare.

When declining reimbursements seem out of control, many physicians focus on the more manageable side of the business equation: costs.

Employee fatigue and lack of engagement can be tricky problems for managers to combat. But there are ways to challenge and inspire your staff without breaking the bank. Here’s how to re-energize and recharge your team.

Psychiatrist Teresa Ramerth on the painful lesson she learned when a common medication she prescribed nearly killed her sister.

Indiscriminate tongue wagging around the office can affect everything from staff morale to patient care. Here’s how to stop loose lips and protect patient privacy, care, and trust.