Monday, January 15, 2007

Better performance

A recent report by the MGMA (Medical Group Management Association) defined some benchmarking standards that demonstrated what makes some medical practices perform better than others.

The key points were:



  • The first benchmark in successful practices is they employ productive physicians. The data showed better-performing practices perform more procedures and take steps to ensure productivity.

  • They offer profitable ancillary services. The better-performing practices readily adopt new services and technologies and acquired new information technology and billing systems.

  • They hire enough support staff and the ratio to physicians is higher in the better-performing practices.

  • They get the money they are owed and are much better at accounts receivables management. They do a better job of collecting co-pays and deductibles at the time of the visit.

  • They spend more and have higher operating costs, but overall make more money in the long run.


The bottom line is that the better-performing practices demonstrate a commitment to patient satisfaction, benchmarking their practices, maintain strong effective leadership and are not afraid to invest time and money on improvement for the ultimate goal of success.

10 Comments:

Blogger Iamhoosier said...

As a very late Christmas gift and in honor of finally meeting you the other night, I will refrain making any wiseacre remarks pertaining to this post.

You know how difficult that is for me!

Merry Christmas.

1/15/2007 04:08:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I appreciate the gift, but comments are welcome.

We all need to strive to make our practices, companies, businesses better.

Complacency as well as silence is damaging for long term success.

1/15/2007 05:13:00 PM  
Blogger Iamhoosier said...

Agreed.

1/15/2007 05:21:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

E/R - Surgery Director forced to give up on department. Makes you wonder why? Job is posted in todays Courier Journal. Looks like if she got to choose, she chose to leave the mess behind. Just beware, the current E/R manager may be the obvious choice but she is not the best fit.

1/15/2007 08:10:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wait a minute---- Did you just say that Ruthie has 'Retired " also?

1/15/2007 09:10:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ruthie is so good to her people. We all love her. I hope it's not true!!

1/15/2007 09:24:00 PM  
Blogger lawguy said...

The cornerstone of any successful business is a committment to the satisfaction of those being served. It can only help, whether one is practicing medicine, serving fine meals or manufacturing widgets. Interesting post, HB.

1/15/2007 10:15:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

HB,

What are your suggestions if a person is unhappy with the care they receive from their Dr. or staff?

Can you approach your Doctor with concerns without ruining the relationship?

I really like my Doctor and understand why the level of care has gone down in the practice, but I also feel like remaining silent is harmful.

How does a patient approach a problem without leaving the practice or damaging relationships? I feel like I have to remain silent or leave and I don’t like those options.

I would appreciate your input, but understand if you don’t want to or can’t comment.

1/16/2007 01:59:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

To clarify the status of RH - She did not resign, just taking on one department instead of two. The word is she is giving up E/R to focus her attention in Surgery. Not sure if it was her decision or not, but regardless it cant be good. If you had a qualified E/R manager that did her job, RH could have handled both. As a result, you have another posted position that will add extra cost to the payroll

1/16/2007 07:31:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

RH is the best they ever had and had too much on her plate with two departments. I assure you, no other director or "ADMINISTRATION" individual would ever have attempted to do what she has done for the hospital, all positive.

1/17/2007 10:09:00 PM  

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