Well, here in Oklahoma it is back to school time. I know it seems like I discuss similar things every year around this time, but I want to continue to stress what I consider the basics. Having just wrapped up our Practice Growth Strategies conference, these things have been on my mind recently. When it comes to doing good medicine, I trust that you all know how to do it. When it comes to running a financially successful practice, we don't always do the right things.
Our most important asset from a business point of view is our patient that is in the clinic. This patient is here now. We don't have to spend a dime in advertising or phone calls to get them to come in to see us. Now that they are here we will try to do our best to give them what we consider the best care possible. Once that is done, then what? Hopefully, you want to continue to give them the best medical care possible. This goes hand-in-hand with three rules of a successful medical business:
It seems simple. But because of our perceived lack of time (we're just too busy to think about it) and our lack of built-in systems we don't 'get around' to doing the other parts of medicine that make up good medical care. Here are a few things to do when you see patients today:
Are they due for a yearly Healthy Maintenance Exam? Check and see. If so, then schedule it for next week or next month.
Are they due for any routine vaccinations? Are you sure? Check and see. Go ahead and do them today. The money you make for the vaccine administration will probably pay your nurses wages for an hour.
Do they have chronic diseases that have not been followed up in a while (allergies, asthma, etc.)? Often that will boost you from a 99213 to a 99214 if they are here for a simple visit.
Remind them that next month it is time to get a flu vaccine. Schedule their visit now with a health maintenance or follow-up visit. It is a good bet that 95% of your practice needs the flu shot. If they came in, what other medical services would they be due for at that time? Are you ready to provide them?
Before they leave today, when do you want to see them back? Make sure to schedule their follow-up appointment before they leave. Make sure your receptionist has their most recent email and cell phone number so you can communicate by text and email if your EMR system has that function. It is usually free and if you text someone there is probably a 95% chance that they received your message immediately. A much better percentage than land lines or emails anymore.