Guest guest Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Tammy,Thanks for sharing your ideas.One thought, from someone else working without a receptionist, is that patients are used to having someone visible to greet them and often, are told to come 30 minutes early to do paperwork as new patient. So, it may be helpful to let patients know to just show up at appointment time and, like you do now, have them notify you that you are there. When people are used to one system, it takes a little education to retrain. (You may have done that already, but just wanted to point that out in case you hadn't thought of it. I've been a patient before in a situation where there was no receptionist and it is disconcerting to wait and not know if anyone is coming to " bring me back " for the appointment. Congrats on your new practice.Sharon Sharon McCoy MDRenaissance Family Medicine10 McClintock Court; Irvine, CA 92617PH: (949)387-5504 Fax: (949)281-2197 Toll free phone/fax: www.SharonMD.com Adolfo,I have a new practice.....part time integrative practice. My EMR sends out an email reminder. I email patients the practice policies and the forms I would like them to complete. Then I have them sign a form stating they know email is not secure and that the patient portal is ideal for medical conditions. I have them use the patient portal once I have set it up. I also have them sign saying if I can call and leave a reminder on their answering machine. My policy is a no show can cost up to $50. (This allows me the flexibility to be gracious if the situation needs it.) I also do not have a receptionist and had a new patient claim they could not wait any longer so they left....I scheduled them for 1.5 hrs, so not being able to wait 15 min is total nonsense. Basically, my door was closed and she failed to knock. Hello! If it is your turn and I have no idea you are here ....you need to knock and oh by the way she came like 30 min early or something so she did not wait 45 min.......she waited 15 min.....I wont take responsibility for the other 30. So now I have a sign in sheet and they need to complete the form and slip it under my door, if I am busy or not there to document their presence. Sometimes you need to have policies in place for that 1 person who has no consideration and dont assume people have common sense. They just dont have it and I too run late, so I am gracious. I do however feel arriving a few min late is different than not showing up, or canceling late if you are on jury duty for example. As things come up you will develop policies but planning for some of them ahead may prevent some of the headaches. I would be willing to email you a copy of what I have done if you want. I have spent HOURS developing forms for a paperless practice....crazy but you have to have them initially. BTW, my portal and fax is through Updox and I could not survive without it. Just my 2 cents. Blessings,TammyConnected by DROID on Verizon Wireless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 many IMPS have webcams in the waitin g area- so you can know when they are there Tammy,Thanks for sharing your ideas.One thought, from someone else working without a receptionist, is that patients are used to having someone visible to greet them and often, are told to come 30 minutes early to do paperwork as new patient. So, it may be helpful to let patients know to just show up at appointment time and, like you do now, have them notify you that you are there. When people are used to one system, it takes a little education to retrain. (You may have done that already, but just wanted to point that out in case you hadn't thought of it. I've been a patient before in a situation where there was no receptionist and it is disconcerting to wait and not know if anyone is coming to " bring me back " for the appointment. Congrats on your new practice.Sharon Sharon McCoy MDRenaissance Family Medicine10 McClintock Court; Irvine, CA 92617PH: (949)387-5504 Fax: (949)281-2197 Toll free phone/fax: www.SharonMD.com Adolfo,I have a new practice.....part time integrative practice. My EMR sends out an email reminder. I email patients the practice policies and the forms I would like them to complete. Then I have them sign a form stating they know email is not secure and that the patient portal is ideal for medical conditions. I have them use the patient portal once I have set it up. I also have them sign saying if I can call and leave a reminder on their answering machine. My policy is a no show can cost up to $50. (This allows me the flexibility to be gracious if the situation needs it.) I also do not have a receptionist and had a new patient claim they could not wait any longer so they left....I scheduled them for 1.5 hrs, so not being able to wait 15 min is total nonsense. Basically, my door was closed and she failed to knock. Hello! If it is your turn and I have no idea you are here ....you need to knock and oh by the way she came like 30 min early or something so she did not wait 45 min.......she waited 15 min.....I wont take responsibility for the other 30. So now I have a sign in sheet and they need to complete the form and slip it under my door, if I am busy or not there to document their presence. Sometimes you need to have policies in place for that 1 person who has no consideration and dont assume people have common sense. They just dont have it and I too run late, so I am gracious. I do however feel arriving a few min late is different than not showing up, or canceling late if you are on jury duty for example. As things come up you will develop policies but planning for some of them ahead may prevent some of the headaches. I would be willing to email you a copy of what I have done if you want. I have spent HOURS developing forms for a paperless practice....crazy but you have to have them initially. BTW, my portal and fax is through Updox and I could not survive without it. Just my 2 cents. Blessings,TammyConnected by DROID on Verizon Wireless -- MD ph fax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 I have laminated signs that I put on my doors. For my office door: at lunch, if this is a delivery please knock. For my building entrance door: went to post office be right back, out to home visit will be back for next appt. I am going to add to these for those who have gotten impatient and left after 15 minutes for 1.5 hour appt. My new signs will include: I am with a patient please wait. Please knock when you arrive for your appt. If I can train myself to switch these signs it will be much clearer to my patients when the door is closed. I do not do reminders except for those who are disabled or need a ride to the appointment. I don't have the staff for everyone and depsite what my malpractice insurance preaches I am not a babysitter. Tammy I loved to see your forms to explore for new ideas I could use. To: Sent: Monday, August 20, 2012 9:03 AM Subject: Missing appts. Adolfo,I have a new practice.....part time integrative practice. My EMR sends out an email reminder. I email patients the practice policies and the forms I would like them to complete. Then I have them sign a form stating they know email is not secure and that the patient portal is ideal for medical conditions. I have them use the patient portal once I have set it up. I also have them sign saying if I can call and leave a reminder on their answering machine. My policy is a no show can cost up to $50. (This allows me the flexibility to be gracious if the situation needs it.) I also do not have a receptionist and had a new patient claim they could not wait any longer so they left....I scheduled them for 1.5 hrs, so not being able to wait 15 min is total nonsense. Basically, my door was closed and she failed to knock. Hello! If it is your turn and I have no idea you are here ....you need to knock and oh by the way she came like 30 min early or something so she did not wait 45 min.......she waited 15 min.....I wont take responsibility for the other 30. So now I have a sign in sheet and they need to complete the form and slip it under my door, if I am busy or not there to document their presence. Sometimes you need to have policies in place for that 1 person who has no consideration and dont assume people have common sense. They just dont have it and I too run late, so I am gracious. I do however feel arriving a few min late is different than not showing up, or canceling late if you are on jury duty for example. As things come up you will develop policies but planning for some of them ahead may prevent some of the headaches. I would be willing to email you a copy of what I have done if you want. I have spent HOURS developing forms for a paperless practice....crazy but you have to have them initially. BTW, my portal and fax is through Updox and I could not survive without it. Just my 2 cents.Blessings,TammyConnected by DROID on Verizon Wireless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 Hey Tammy,Would be interested in seeing your forms also if you'd be willing to share.Frederick Elliott MDFuture IMP 2013Buffalo, NY I have laminated signs that I put on my doors. For my office door: at lunch, if this is a delivery please knock. For my building entrance door: went to post office be right back, out to home visit will be back for next appt. I am going to add to these for those who have gotten impatient and left after 15 minutes for 1.5 hour appt. My new signs will include: I am with a patient please wait. Please knock when you arrive for your appt. If I can train myself to switch these signs it will be much clearer to my patients when the door is closed. I do not do reminders except for those who are disabled or need a ride to the appointment. I don't have the staff for everyone and depsite what my malpractice insurance preaches I am not a babysitter. Tammy I loved to see your forms to explore for new ideas I could use. To: Sent: Monday, August 20, 2012 9:03 AM Subject: Missing appts. Adolfo,I have a new practice.....part time integrative practice. My EMR sends out an email reminder. I email patients the practice policies and the forms I would like them to complete. Then I have them sign a form stating they know email is not secure and that the patient portal is ideal for medical conditions. I have them use the patient portal once I have set it up. I also have them sign saying if I can call and leave a reminder on their answering machine. My policy is a no show can cost up to $50. (This allows me the flexibility to be gracious if the situation needs it.) I also do not have a receptionist and had a new patient claim they could not wait any longer so they left....I scheduled them for 1.5 hrs, so not being able to wait 15 min is total nonsense. Basically, my door was closed and she failed to knock. Hello! If it is your turn and I have no idea you are here ....you need to knock and oh by the way she came like 30 min early or something so she did not wait 45 min.......she waited 15 min.....I wont take responsibility for the other 30. So now I have a sign in sheet and they need to complete the form and slip it under my door, if I am busy or not there to document their presence. Sometimes you need to have policies in place for that 1 person who has no consideration and dont assume people have common sense. They just dont have it and I too run late, so I am gracious. I do however feel arriving a few min late is different than not showing up, or canceling late if you are on jury duty for example. As things come up you will develop policies but planning for some of them ahead may prevent some of the headaches. I would be willing to email you a copy of what I have done if you want. I have spent HOURS developing forms for a paperless practice....crazy but you have to have them initially. BTW, my portal and fax is through Updox and I could not survive without it. Just my 2 cents.Blessings,TammyConnected by DROID on Verizon Wireless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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