Communication tools, re-delegation of tasks may reduce practice flow issues
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When identifying and solving flow issues within an orthopedic practice, administrators should assess all aspects of the practice, from communication systems to physicians, according to a presenter at the American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives Annual Conference.
In his presentation, Larry R. Brooks, AIA, co-owner of Practice Flow Solutions, noted that to reduce times between appointments, an orthopedic practice should consider incorporating a communication system either within the electronic health record or through a light signaling system so physicians and physician assistants know which room has the next patient. The flow of the office should also allow for the exam rooms to be grouped together so the physician does not have far to go from one patient to the next, he added.
However, if using a communication tool through an electronic health record, Brooks said it needs to be active.
“It cannot be something that you have to go click through a couple of screens to go find which room is the next patient in,” Brooks said.
A light signaling system can also be used to order X-rays, casting and DME or to indicate a patient who needs to be scheduled for surgery, according to Brooks.
To reduce check-in delays, he said practices should have receptionists focus on the patients inside the office instead of answering phones. Implementation of a self-serve registration either through an online system or onsite kiosk can also reduce check-in delays.
“The self-serve kiosk and registration do not take up much room and allow you to siphon off a good bit of your check-in volume to these kiosks so you can, overall, handle a higher volume of patients without having to add staff members or totally redesign your check-in desk,” Brooks said.
Finally, Brooks noted using a scribe instead of having physicians take their own notes may help eliminate the amount data entry from physicians.
“When you are delegating all those non-provider tasks, it allows that doctor to use their time more wisely,” Brooks said.
However, Brooks noted administrators need to be able to identify whether added revenue in the form of additional patients will come with these changes to balance the added costs.
“You have to have the projected patient volume, the added patients to know if that is where that measuring makes sense, to see if the [return on investment] ROI is there for you,” Brooks said. – by Casey Tingle
Reference:
Brooks LR. Efficient, effective practice flow: Learn how to eliminate logjams in your practice. Presented at: American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives Annual Conference; May 1-4, 2020 (virtual meeting).
Disclosure: Brooks reports no relevant financial disclosures.
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Brooks LR. Efficient, effective practice flow: Learn how to eliminate logjams in your practice. Presented at: American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives Annual Conference; May 1-4, 2020 (virtual meeting).
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