Middle-ware: The Independent Way

For those of us with EMRs, one common challenge that exists is how to interface in-office lab analyzer data with your EMR software.   Basically, there are 4 ways to get lab data into your EMR:

1. Manually: Inefficient, slow, error prone.  DO NOT do it this way.
2. Scan results: Time consuming, error prone 
3. Middle-ware: If you are fortunate to have an analyzer that interfaces seamlessly with your specific EMR, this is the best solution.
4. Customized software: If your analyzer outputs data in a digital format, you can develop a solution easily and inexpensively, even if you have no programming knowledge yourself.  I recently developed one for my semen analyzer.

Your goal should be to efficiently and automatically get data into your EMR where you can sign off on the result and act accordingly.  Electronically is the best way to do this.

Good luck

Dr S

Tips for staying sane and viable through the tough times

This is one challenging economy.  Here's how you can manage to stay in good shape.

Avoid these pitfalls:

• Over-extending: good times don't last forever
• Over-contracting: neither do bad times
• Panicking: don't jump at your first rescue option, it may not be the best one
• Putting your head in the sand: the payment system is changing.  You'll need to adapt or die.
• Second guessing: too much wasted energy better spent on planning and acting.

Good luck,

Dr S
s

Why Do I Use a Different Pool Guy Every Year?

I have a pool--which I don't recommend.  The house came with it.  I maintain but have a service open and close it for me.  Every year it seems we use a different service.  Why is this?  For the most part, it is because the pool companies have not been following up with us through the winter.  We lose their numbers and forget their names and have to look up another one every May.
Crazy!  And in this economy.
Don't run your medical office like that.  Reach out to your patients, the active and the inactive ones on a routine basis.  Doing this is neither difficult nor expensive.
Just do it.
Dr Schoor

A Cost of Woking for Someone Else

These doctors assumed someone else would take care of their insurance needs.

I've said it before.  I'll say again.

Your practice, your problems, even if you work for someone else.

Dr Schoor

5 Key Practices to Help You Through This Recession

This is a tough recession--the worst I've been through certainly.  Only the fittest will survive this one.  Here are some survival tips that you can use:

1. Focus on collections: Obtain deductible information prior to seeing the patient and collect up-front if your contract allows.  If not, use a service like this. 
2. Scutinize all costs: Trim some and expand others--cost center vs profit center.
3. Smarten up your office hours: Avoid overtime while maximizing office visits.  Use your data to figure when patients "want" to be seen and staff heavily at these times, light at others.
4. Leverage technology: EHR, smart phones, VOIP, webforms, sms, etc
5. Answer your phones

Good luck.
Dr Schoor