Inexpensively outfit a medical office

Purchasing medical devices is one thing, but how do medical practice owners and managers go about outfitting their front offices in an inexpensive manner?

Fortunately, there are a few ways that physicians can deck out their offices with excellent tools, furniture and gadgets without breaking the bank.

Furniture
Keeping front office staffers comfortable and happy while they work is of the utmost importance. If they’re not happy, patients and customers could be greeted by grumpy faces, so finding a way to keep them happy while keeping the budget down is key. Unfortunately, well-made office chairs are often expensive. However, there are a few exceptions. Herman Miller’s Reaction chair, for example, rings in at $299, and provides the utmost comfort for its occupant.

Technology
Office assistants who need to be on the phone for the better part of the day may find that their job would be easier if they didn’t have to hold the handheld phone to their ear for extended periods of time. That’s where a headset comes in, and fortunately, there are many inexpensive options.

Practice managers should also consider investing in high-quality computer monitors to outfit the desktop computers in their front office. The Dell 1909W rings in at just $169, and with its 19-inch LCD screen, it will provide better viewing abilities and clearer pictures for office professionals.

Medical professionals need a high-quality printer to print out clear file readouts for patients and practice staffers. Wired Magazine recommends the Canon Pixma MX860, which comes in at just $200 and pumps out high-quality prints. The machine also has the ability to fax and scan items and link up to wireless networks, meaning that practice managers can place it somewhere out-of-sight of the patients.

This content has been created by Bankers Healthcare Group. BHG is dedicated to helping arrange loans for doctors, physicians dentists and veterinarians looking to purchase new equipment, move into new facilities or grow their business in any other way.

Independent practices and part-time hiring

Many medical practice managers may be averse to hiring physicians or surgeons part-time, but according to American Medical News, it may be beneficial for both the office and the industry as a whole.

Hiring a part-time physician may seem inefficient, but in fact, it may in many cases benefit both the practice and the doctor.

It’s what they want

Amednews notes that there are many demographics of physician and surgeon that would appreciate reduced hours. For instance, older doctors, who have worked hard for the duration of their careers, may want to consider reducing their hours before retiring completely. Additionally, young doctors who want to reduce their hours to take the time to raise their families may be attracted to a part-time position.

It may help the industry

According to the Journal of American College of Surgeons, there will be a shortage of surgeons by the year 2030, due to a vast number of the existing physicians retiring and more positions being created all the time. Allowing for part-time work could increase the number of surgeons by between 4,125 and 12,375.

It could help the practice

If the practice allows part-time physicians, particularly surgeons, they could see an increase in the physicians vying for the position. More choice leads inherently to a selection of higher-quality candidates, which would increase the reputation of the practice.

Furthermore, practices who hire part-time surgeons could hire more than one per specialty, obviously offering salaries reduced in accordance with their shortened hours. Also, the practice could open the doors for hiring surgeons of many and varied specialties, which could allow them to take on more patients.

This content has been created by Bankers Healthcare Group. BHG is dedicated to helping arrange loans for doctors, physicians dentists and veterinarians looking to purchase new equipment, move into new facilities or grow their business in any other way.

Rewards of a private practice

Although running a private practice can sometimes seem like a very difficult process, many managing physicians find that it is worth the trouble.

According to American Medical News, physicians who opt to stay in a private practice rather than move on to a larger working environment often find that there are benefits to staying with the smaller enterprise. Physicians who work for an agency or in a hospital often have more funding or monetary support, but managing a private practice has its own perks.

More freedom

Amednews notes that one of the best parts about managing or working in a private setting is the autonomy that physicians enjoy. In a hospital, time and activities are strictly regulated and controlled, but in an independent practice, physicians can mold their own schedules. Not only can private practice doctors determine their hours, but they can also decide the philosophy of their work and how long they spend with each patient.

Environmental control

When a physician manages their own practice, they have the opportunity to decide how their workplace runs on a day to day basis. Not simply the hours or the procedures offered by the in-house doctors, but also the social environment in the office. The rigidity of a hospital might allow staffers to become complacent or surly, but in a small office environment, physicians can take the time to pick up on the social climate. If something seems off, the practice manager can call a meeting to discuss the office philosophy and behavior.

Learning about the business side

Physicians who are just coming out of medical school may not be very familiar with the business end of medical transactions. Managing or helping to run an independent practice will teach the ins and outs of the medical business. For instance, although it may seem difficult to get financing in the medical world, savvy private practitioners know that there are lenders out there who specialize in helping them to support their business. Although large banks may not be apt to provide adequate funding for medical offices medical lenders know how much it costs to properly outfit and support an independent practice.

This content has been created by Bankers Healthcare Group. BHG is dedicated to helping arrange loans for doctors, physicians dentists and veterinarians looking to purchase new equipment, move into new facilities or grow their business in any other way.

In-house blood testing may be beneficial to veterinarian practices

Blood testing conveys a lot of valuable patient information to veterinarians. Such analyses can help diagnose disease and determine appropriate medication dosages. However, in cases when time is of the essence, having blood testing capabilities within one’s own practice can make a world of a difference in the lives of patients, experts told Veterinary Practice News.

According to the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University, blood tests are able to measure levels of several key substances, including albumin, alkaline phosphatase, ALT enzyme, amylase, bile acids, bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, calcium, cholesterol, creatinine, glucose, potassium and total protein.

During emergencies, such capabilities are critical to timely clinical decisions. Furthermore, some blood samples can degrade as time passes, making in-house testing a huge asset. However, the decision to add this component to a veterinary practice should not be made casually.

“Realities that must be considered are that maintaining an in-clinic laboratory requires a dedicated budget, a commitment to quality management [and] dedicated personnel who are appropriately trained, appropriate physical space and time,” Bente Flatland, D.V.M., told Veterinary Practice News.

She added that equipment should be selected on the basis of caseload, costs and personnel sources. Leslie Sharkey, D.V.M., Ph.D., agreed with the point about staff, saying that expert analysis through microscopy may catch subtle information that laboratory equipment can miss.

Ultimately, clinicians should not let machines lull them into a false sense of security, Sharkey told the news source.

When it comes to equipment, maintenance and inventory are not only essential to the medical care of animals, but also to overall costs. If reagents are not used before their expiration date, they may not work properly and can risk creating an expensive mistake.

This content has been created by Bankers Healthcare Group. BHG is dedicated to helping arrange loans for doctors, physicians dentists and veterinarians looking to purchase new equipment, move into new facilities or grow their business in any other way.

How to focus on the things that matter when running a practice

According to a recent survey conducted by the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA), Veterinary practice managers spend more time focusing on human resources than anything else.

The survey was conducted by the VHMA in order to determine the relevance of certain practices to managers. The association then plans to use the gleaned data to better formulate its Veterinary Practice Manager examination to reflect real life experience and responsibility.

The exams are based on five different sections of veterinary practice manager responsibility, including organization of practice, human resources, knowledge of law and ethics, marketing techniques and managing and understanding financial responsibilities.

 

In previous exams, the focus had remained very heavily on practice organization, including researching new products and medications, managing inventory systems and creating and updating risk management systems. The exam was weighted so as to place 30 percent of the focus on organization, 20 percent on financial, human resources and law responsibilities and just 10 percent on marketing.

However, following the survey, the exam will reflect the new findings, which are that the human resources, law and financial aspects of a veterinary practice manager’s job take up far more time than practice organization. Practice organization will comprise only 18 percent of the exam, while marketing is bumped up to 16 percent.

In reviewing the aspects of a veterinary practice manager’s position that are the most time-consuming, finances control the third-largest amount of time. That includes managing insurance claims payouts, billing, receiving and processing payments, determining where to allocate funds and applying for practice loans.

As the economy climbs slowly out of the recession, veterinary practices need funding like any other industry. Applying for loans to support a medical practice is never easy, because large lenders and banks don’t fully comprehend the needs of a practice. That part of the job can be made simpler if practice managers apply for loans from lenders working specifically in medical loans.

This content has been created by Bankers Healthcare Group. BHG Inc. is dedicated to helping arrange loans for doctors, physicians dentists and veterinarians looking to purchase new equipment, move into new facilities or grow their business in any other way.

Money mistakes for medical practices

Although most medical practice owners are accomplished physicians, many struggle with the monetary fine print involved in running a business.

In an interview with CNNMoney, Dr. Jeffrey Meltzer, an OB/GYN with American Health Network in Carmel, Indiana, noted that many medical professionals struggle with the monetary aspects of running a practice because they become engrossed in the medical side. Unfortunately, the source notes that this can lead to a few common money mistakes that many medical practice owners make that can be avoided with care and information.

Help is available

CNNMoney notes that many doctors don’t seek help from a business or financial analyst when it comes to their practice’s funding and monetary lifeline, which can lead to large missteps. Industry insiders can let physicians know which investing options are sound. Furthermore, before making any decisions regarding investing the practice’s funds, physicians should let an attorney look over the terms, to ensure that they are as safe from risk as possible.

Getting a loan – the right way

For physicians looking to start an independent practice, knowing how to get a loan and who to ask is of the utmost importance. MBA Healthgroup notes that practice owners should be sure to shop around to make sure they’re getting the best interest rates and the right loan for their practice.

Additionally, thinking outside the box of large banks is recommended. If physicians are looking for a loan that can be tailored to fit their needs by a lender who understands, they should go to a lender who specifies in loans for doctors rather than a large bank.

Consider the different practice options

CNNMoney notes that many medical practitioners are finding that if the business model of running an independent practice doesn’t work for them, they might be better of participating in a different type of practice. For example, Dr. Bryan Glick, a family physician in Arizona, runs a traditional practice that is funded by a Small Business Administration loan. Because his practice was struggling financially, Dr. Glick pays off his SBA loan by working additional hours for a nearby concierge practice, thereby allowing his independent practice to remain stable.

This article has been created by Bankers Healthcare Group, the leading provider of financing for physicians, dentists and veterinarians with loan programs designed for working capital, debt consolidation, practice expansion and more.

A few mistakes to avoid when starting a medical practice

The largest mistake that many medical practitioners make when starting a medical practice is not viewing it for what it is: a startup business. Because a medical practice is a business like any other, it needs to function like one and be run with all of the good business sense associated with running a superstore.

One common mistake that many medical professionals make when starting a new practice is not asking for help, according to the MBA Healthgroup. Medical school, for all its merits, does little to prepare doctors for starting their own medical practice. The best way to find out necessary information regarding the ins and outs of the process is to ask someone who has done it before.

MBA Healthgroup also recommends that medical professionals take care when hiring staff to help them run their practice. The first step is to hire someone who knows how to successfully hire others. From then on, running a practice involves keeping an eye on all employees, rewarding those who are helpful and a good fit for their positions, and weeding out those who are not.

Additionally, medical professionals should also be comfortable with the financial aspect of running a practice before jumping in. Securing medical practice loans and knowing how to generate revenue are important parts of getting a fledgling practice of its feet.

This article has been created by Bankers Healthcare Group, the leading provider of financing for physicians, dentists and veterinarians with loan programs designed for working capital, debt consolidation, practice expansion and more.

Patients respond better when given doctors’ notes

Medical and dental practitioners may want to consider whether they are interested in somehow giving patients access to their notes following appointments, as a new study has found that it can have positive results.

The study, which took place at three medical centers across the country and encompassed more than 100 doctors, allowed patients access to notes from the physician online following an appointment. Of the more than 13,000 patients included in the research, more than 5,000 looked at the notes at least once and completed a follow-up survey.

Of those patients, those who reviewed the online notes were more likely to be actively involved in their health and were better taking prescribed medications, and many doctors noted improved relationships.

At the end of the study, a full 99 percent of patients said that they wanted the test program to continue in some form. That enthusiasm was present despite the fact that about a third of participants did have some concerns about privacy.

“We were thrilled by what we learned,” Dr. Tom Delbanco, who worked on the study at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, told Reuters Health. “We had no clue that so many patients would read their notes, and that they would be both as enthusiastic and report so many clinically important changes in their behavior.”

Physicians who took part in the study said that they did not feel incorporating notes online was a significant inconvenience, and all said that they would continue to do so.

If this kind of openness between parties continues to grow, physicians may want to examine medical lending options to improve their level of technological capabilities. While the technique can have positive results, it’s important to weigh concerns about privacy and ensure online notes are secure.

Content generated by Bankers Healthcare Group, the leader in providing financing solutions for medical professionals.

Upcoding remains a potential issue with EHRs

While much of the medical or dental lending issues surrounding electronic health records have focused on the costs of implementing the systems, officials are now raising the question of how to deal with alleged “upcoding” of Medicare claims.

A letter from Attorney General Eric Holder and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, published by the New York Times, warned major medical organizations about the issue, saying that they are aware of the “troubling indications” about the issue.

The controversy concerns the ability doctors and physicians have with EHRs to copy and paste notes from previous patient visits, which can provide the documentation for various tests or higher Medicare codes. Some physicians state that the ability simply allows them to more easily bill for things they might have otherwise done without proper compensation. However, the potential for others to “clone” records from other patients to justify unneeded billing is a connected issue.

Hospital officials quickly responded, also supporting the position that improper upcoding was unacceptable.

“We agree that the alleged practices described in your letter, such as so-called ‘cloning’ of medical records and ‘upcoding’ of the intensity of care, should not be tolerated,” stated Rich Umbdenstock, the chief executive of the American Hospital Association, in a response to the letter.

While medical practice financing to support the implementation of electronic health records may continue to be a question many practices will need to face, having a policy in place to deal with what might be the appearance of upcoding – even if claims are justified – may be another factor to consider. Physicians should be prepared to justify any records which may suggest these steps.

Content generated by Bankers Healthcare Group, the leading provider in financing solutions for medical professionals.

Lasers can treat ear infections in dogs

Ear infections can be just as painful and stressful for dogs as they can be for humans. It is important for veterinarians to use the most effective treatments available. In a recent article published by Veterinary Practice News, one expert discusses the use of Class IV laser therapy.

Signs of a canine ear infection include red ears, head shaking and foul odors around the organ, wrote Phil Harrington, DC, CMLSO. Owners may also seek attention if their dogs are scratching, develop scabby or crusty skin on the ear flap, lose hair around the ear, experience problems with balance, walk in circles, ooze a discharge or demonstrate hearing loss, according to the ASPCA. Dogs that have allergies, floppy ears or hair inside the inner ear canals may be especially prone to these problems.

Class IV laser therapy can be useful for cases of ear infection that are caused by bacteria. The reason for this is that many bacterial species tend to be anaerobic, and because lasers tend to stimulate circulation and oxygen intake, the pathogens may be less likely to thrive.

This regimen can be used in addition to topical and oral medications.

“Treatment would be administered to the external ear, targeting the vertical and horizontal canals, to the bulla and down the auditory tube. Internal treatment can be accomplished by lifting the pinna. A typical treatment plan is for six treatments over a three-week period,” Harrington wrote.

Additionally, laser therapy can be applied to surgical resections of the ear.

Veterinary practices who decide to use Class IV laser therapy need to be mindful of safety. Technicians must use protective eyewear that is designed for the wavelength of energy used. Furthermore, doctors must also protect the eyes of the dogs they treat. This can be done with special glasses, a black cloth or the help of an assistant to keep the animal steady. Training is usually the responsibility of the device company.

Content generated by Bankers Healthcare Group, the leading provider of working capital for veterinarians.