QUICK TIPS

Don’t hog the ball

What would compel staff members to invest as much of their spirit in the practice as you do?

Psychic ownership. Not the crystal ball type, but the psychological sense of ownership in the practice.

True, they don’t have the financial accountability, tax burden or malpractice exposure you do, but they should feel they have a stake in the outcome and success of the practice. How do you achieve that?

Begin with your language. Call it “our” practice rather than “my” practice.

Do more listening than issuing orders. Articulate clear expectations instead of expecting your team to read your mind. Solicit suggestions and problem-solving ideas from the team you’ve attracted.

Let go of the illusion of control and allow others to participate. In other words, don’t “hog the ball.”

— William D. Esteb
Patient Media, Inc.

Save time with e-mail

E-mail can be a great way to interact with your patients. You can avoid phone tag and save time for both you and your patients. However, with HIPAA, you must be careful with e-mail correspondence.

First, develop a policy to get patient approval to send e-mails.

Second, determine whether the e-mail contains sensitive or private information. If extra security is needed to comply with HIPAA, use encryption software.

Third, keep track of how much time you spend e-mailing each patient and document it in your notes. While conversation continues on this topic, it is only a matter of time until providers will be able to bill insurance companies for this service.

— Steve Housberg
Peak Healthcare Solutions
www.peakhealthcare.com