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