Tammy Mudge, Senior Consultant

Advances in the healthcare field affect all systems within your practice. Like the human body, when one system starts to fail the entire “body” can shut down. It is more important than ever to make sure your systems are strong. All too many practices are like the non- compliant patients they themselves dread. It is the practices that don’t take the same advice their providers give their patients that will struggle to survive. Preventative maintenance and complete “physicals” can detect the silent killers of your practice; early detection can be the key to survival.

Practice managers and administrators are busier than ever, so as situations arise, they grab for an over-the-counter remedy, that quick “band aid” to cure their symptoms. “Acute” exams are done when they can find a spare moment; a quick spot check of the finances, or a patient visit comparison. All of these have great value. However, they do not replace the need to give your practice a complete physical. So what is the down and dirty on how to determine if you are a healthy practice? Simply apply some SOAP.

Subjective: Review the pain points or chief complaints of the practice. Review all preventative maintenance, i.e. procedures, protocols, and standards currently in place, such as HIPAA, employee manuals, and training, along with quality measure reviews and current technology.

Objective: Detailed workflow analysis should be done to identify any bottlenecks, inconsistencies, potential patient safety issues, and common risk factors. Review of all manuals and policies to make sure they are up to date and will measure up to the highest current standards. Financial reports and policies need close attention. Is your practice taking advantage of all financial incentives? Identify all the areas in which your practice may be losing money. Intensive internal chart reviews identify many documentation and billing issues that can put your practice at risk.

Assessment: How does your practice measure up to today’s standards? Are you ready to select, adopt, and implement an EMR system? If you have already done so, are you a meaningful EMR user and/or will your current system allow you to reach that goal? Do you have the right processes and procedures in place? Identify all areas that are putting your practice, patients, and financial stability at risk.

Plan: Just as a great provider will prescribe medications, lifestyle changes, and additional education to keep you healthy, a great healthcare consultant will provide the same services. They will know when to refer you to additional specialists if a need falls outside of the scope of their expertise and will continue to provide you with the care you need to stay healthy and strong.

Sometimes it can be in your best interest to get an outside company’s perspective on the items mentioned in this article. If you choose this route, make sure you select your consultant using the same considerations you would take when selecting a provider. Seek a professional team with the reputation and experience needed to protect the life of your practice.

Click here to read Tammy's article in the Summer 2010 edition of the NJMGMA newsletter where is was recently published!