Medical Practices – Café Quill

June 18, 2017

Increasing referrals from existing patients

by Jessica Bitterman

If your appointment schedule is full most days and you're booked out for routine visits weeks or even months in advance, you probably don't spend much time thinking about the need to attract new patients. But for a successful practice…

3 minutes

May 27, 2017

Don’t let the economy get you down

by Jessica Bitterman

Is the financial downturn affecting your practice? Does it seem like you're seeing fewer patients? Though you can't change the economy, there are things you can do to strengthen patient relationships and increase loyalty, referrals and revenue! Make the most…

2 minutes

May 25, 2017

Surprise and delight your patients

by Jessica Bitterman

Let's start by assuming that your practice provides high-quality clinical care to each and every patient who comes through the door. Let's further assume that your staff is well trained to offer excellent service on a consistent basis. And let's…

2 minutes

May 21, 2017

Team building activities

by Jessica Bitterman

Before coming to Medical Arts Press, I managed a team of seven people in a high-paced environment. We were face to face with customers ten hours a day, and were dependent on each other to keep the branch running smoothly.…

1 minute

May 21, 2017

Host a summer staff retreat

by Jessica Bitterman

As a practice leader, you might think of setting business goals, strategizing and working to energize your team as activities best done at the very end or very beginning of a year. But there is never a bad time to…

3 minutes

May 19, 2017

Cross-training: why and how

by Jessica Bitterman

Cross-training so that staff are able to perform job functions outside of their usual area simplifies vacation scheduling, helps reduce chaos when someone calls in sick or has a family emergency, and can be a real lifesaver when an employee…

2 minutes

May 19, 2017

When your staff squabbles

by Jessica Bitterman

Busy people working together in tight quarters will, inevitably, get into the occasional tiff or argument. Power struggles, turf battles, generational differences, assigning blame, and personality clashes are not uncommon in medical offices. Left unchecked, however, these problems result in…

2 minutes

May 19, 2017

Patient gowns: paper or cloth?

by Jessica Bitterman

When it comes to patient gowns, it's pretty easy to argue either side of the "paper or cloth" question. Disposable gowns may be more convenient, but cloth is soft and cozy. Which is better for the environment? Do doctors and…

2 minutes

May 19, 2017

Coupons and your practice

by Jessica Bitterman

Who isn't looking to save a buck these days? We all are. And, if you haven't integrated coupons into your marketing plan, now is the time to do it. In this economy, patients are likely to skip the extra services…

1 minute

May 11, 2017

How to reduce claim denials

by Jessica Bitterman

Claim denials interrupt practice cash flow, take up valuable staff time and cause frustration for patients. Because this is such a common problem in practices, we reached out to an expert, Sarah J. Holt, PhD, FACMPE, to find out how…

4 minutes

May 11, 2017

Run your practice like a business

by Jessica Bitterman

Experienced healthcare managers and administrators understand that a medical practice is a business. They pay attention to staffing, scheduling, overhead, and accounts receivables, and they're diligent about getting the best deals on supplies and equipment. But given the day-to-day hubbub…

2 minutes

May 7, 2017

New regulation: tamper resistant prescription pads

by Jessica Bitterman

As of April 1, 2008, Medicaid outpatient prescriptions must be written on tamper-resistant pads. By April 1, prescription pads must have one (1) or more of the security features, and by October 1, 2008, the pads must have at least…

2 minutes

May 4, 2017

How to conduct a patient satisfaction survey

by Jessica Bitterman

With more third party payers moving toward reimbursement based on clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction, practices are looking for ways to measure those indicators. If you have not conducted a patient satisfaction survey in your office within the last few…

3 minutes

April 28, 2017

What’s the most valuable piece of equipment in your office?

by Jessica Bitterman

You no doubt have plenty of expensive equipment in your office, but the most valuable tool of all doesn't actually cost that much; it's the telephone. This little electronic wonder is the conduit by which patients form their first impressions…

2 minutes

April 27, 2017

Planning boards: delegate to get more done

by Jessica Bitterman

Are you a practice administrator or department manager who is overwhelmed with work? Is your to-do list so long that you don't even know where to begin? Do you feel like no matter how many hours you work each week…

3 minutes

April 25, 2017

Everyday stress reduction

by Jessica Bitterman

Your job is demanding. There are never enough hours in the day. Everyone wants your attention. You're pulled in too many directions. Things on your desk, in your purse, and on your person keep ringing and beeping. Welcome to life…

2 minutes

April 24, 2017

The best toys for your waiting and exam rooms

by Jessica Bitterman

Visiting the doctor's office can be stressful for young patients. Even when they aren't worried, children can find waiting for their appointment interminably boring. Starting the visit anxious and cranky can make things more difficult for everyone. We've put together…

3 minutes

April 18, 2017

Staff meetings

by Jessica Bitterman

Staff meetings are important to any practice. It's your time to get the staff together to discuss new changes or important matters within the practice. But let's face it — while these meetings are necessary, they can often be mind-numbing…

2 minutes

April 15, 2017

Career burnout: turn it around now

by Jessica Bitterman

Everyone has moments when they say to themselves, "I can't do this job anymore." Maybe the workload has become crushing, or perhaps boredom has set in. A demanding boss, irritating co-workers, lack of recognition, or technology overload can make you…

2 minutes

April 15, 2017

Is it time to recruit?

by Jessica Bitterman

You've noticed an uptick in patient complaints about how long it takes to get on the appointment schedule. Staff members are frustrated because they're on the receiving end of those complaints. Doctors are exhausted due to longer hours and fewer…

3 minutes