Automation For Survival

Regardless of the type of business or practice you are running, you're busy. It's important to automate as much of your processes as possible. Here are just two examples:

Documentation:

- If you are using some sort of electronic document (even just a Word/Open office type of document, use templates for your standard visit types. You'll be able to pull it in and adjust it to suit your patient.

- Another tool that I use for this is ShortKeys. For example: if I type in my hotkey with UA, my normal UA results are instantly put in. I just change what is necessary. You can do even more with Macros Express. Both products are by the same company and can be found at shortkeys.com

Of course your EMR can help as well. Amazing Charts has standard templates that you can edit as well as the ability to make new ones on the fly.

If you are using paper charts: consider checklists & documentation forms to assist you in documenting in a timely manner.

Teaching/Consulting:

- If you are doing any kind of patient teaching, consulting or the like you are likely saying several of the same phrases over and over again. What handouts can you have ready to pass on that will still get your point across AND give the patient something they can look at later and digest?

- Consider putting these documents on your website for download by your clients.

There are many things you can do to automate your practice in terms of communication with patients and staff, financial issues (payroll, billing and even paying taxes), appointment scheduling and the like.

You'll find more articles like this in the Startup and Growth section