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• Recheck 7 days ( or sooner )
• Call back 24 hours to assess improvement
NOTE- this is just one approach .
The healthcare plan becomes the treatment plan becomes the invoice . Yes , you now have a consistent way to avoid missing charges for the invoice . Each line item on the healthcare plan should have a matching line item on the invoice . If a line item in the healthcare plan isn ’ t provided , it should be noted in the medical record , Owner declines ( and a reason )/ Doctor defers pending response to treatment or some other explanation .
Again , detailed healthcare plan becomes detailed treatment plan becomes accurate invoice with no missed charges . Simple … right ? Wrong !!
Product Name . One
DEVELOPING PROTOCOLS
In his book , CHECKLIST MANIFESTO , Dr . Atul Gawande discusses the improvement in patient morbidity and mortality by simply creating a standard protocol for the insertion of a main line catheter . The ultimate success wasn ’ t without its detractors . However , the ultimate victory came based upon the improvement in patient care and case outcomes when the protocol was implemented .
Protocols in a single doctor practice should be created with staff input and looking for optimal outcomes . Ask yourself , how I would handle the following case from start to finish and write it down . Pull some medical records and see if that is actually what you did . Add items that you forgot . Ask the staff am I forgetting anything ? Have them review medical records as well . Create Protocols for the 20 % of the conditions or diagnoses that comprise 80 % of what you see on a daily basis . You don ’ t need a protocol for lawn dart in the thorax ; you do need a protocol for Acute Vomiting . You need a protocol for Pruritus ; you don ’ t need a protocol for Shar Pei Fever ( unless you see a lot of Shar Pei Fever ).
Protocols can be stored in a three ring binder , on line , on a smartphone , etc . You can print them out , you can view them on screen , or you can memorize them . You just need to be consistent . After you have protocols created translate them into healthcare plans / estimates to be stored as bundles on your practice management software . Think of the ease for a client service representative when all they have to do is enter a bundle code and then modify the bundle for this specific case ?
What happens when you add a new piece of equipment ? You update the protocol . New medication , you update the protocol .
What happens when you add a new doctor …. that ’ s when it get tricky
HOW DO YOU GET ALL OF THE DOCTORS ON THE SAME PAGE ?
In the business side of practice , developing systems is dependent upon finding the most effective and efficient way to do something and replicating it . Whether it is answering the phone or setting up the surgery suite for a spay or neuter . Protocols are designed to enhance efficiency and ensure a Product Name . Two consistent client or patient experience .
The same holds true for medical protocols . The biggest difference is that besides efficiency the protocol must be in the patient ’ s best interest . They also must be within the standards of practice within your state and community .
Some of the more basic systems are puppy and kitten vaccination schedules . Some of the more