The 10 principles of practice efficiency

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December 2005 · Vol. 17, No. 12

The 10 principles of practice efficiency

Time-saving routines to manage the “psychology of waiting” and set a game plan for each day

Fast Track

Dictate notes in patient’s presence

Patients hears your advice again
Patient may clarify or correct information
Record the phrase “dictated in the patient’s presence”
No need to try to recall details later

Commit 5 minutes every morning to huddle with your staff. Use your schedule as the agenda for a game plan—this is not a meeting!

Avoid having the patient withhold important concerns until the end of the visit. Use her chief complaint and any other issues as the starting point for the exam

Elizabeth W. Woodcock, MBA, CPC

Ms. Woodcock is a Fellow, American College of Medical Practice Executives, and a speaker and author, Woodcock & Associates, Atlanta, Georgia www.elizabethwoodcock.com
elizabeth@elizabethwoodcock.com

IN THIS ARTICLE

5-minute staff “huddle”
The trouble with batching

As reimbursement plummets and expenses rise, the options to improve your practice’s profits may seem more limited than ever—either you see more patients or spend less time with the ones you have. There is another option, which is often overlooked: Reduce the constraints on your time by improving your efficiency.

This article outlines 10 practical steps you can take to streamline your practice.

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