Category: Plastic Surgery

Paper vs. Electronic: Benefits of Transferring Your Office

Posted on | by PatientNOW

There is little doubt the idea of moving from a paper to an electronic office is an overwhelming one. You and your staff have worked with those paper files for years and everyone is accustomed to and comfortable with that system. Moving to electronic filing often raises questions about what will happen if the technology doesn’t work the way it is supposed to function. Despite the understandable trepidation involved with making the switch, there are some significant benefits to transferring your plastic surgery office to a paperless system.

The Space Saving Solution

Think about the amount of space you are currently using to store your paper files. How could that space be utilized more effectively? Do you need more room for your administrative staff or another examination room? Have you been putting off the purchase of a new device due to lack of space in your current office? By removing your paper files, you will free up substantial office space that can now be put to good use to expand your practice and your patient experience.

Benefits to your Bottom Line

Reducing your storage needs can also benefit your bottom line as you eliminate additional space and staffing to maintain those files. Even the cost of the supplies to assemble the paper files will be eliminated as electronic maintenance becomes more efficient and cost-effective. A University of California study in 2003 found that some physicians saved as much as $20,000 per year by transferring to electronic records.

Working Smarter, Not Harder

Office efficiency is a primary benefit of transferring to EMR. Your staff will no longer have to spend time searching for patient files; instead, they will be able to pull them up on any office device. Patients will not be left waiting while you search out pertinent information from their medical history. Even sharing information with other physicians when necessary will be faster and easier through the electronic process.

More Time, More Patients

Electronic medical records provide you with more face-to-face time with your patients, as information is readily accessible during consultations and other appointments. You may also find your electronic system provides you with additional time to see more patients, allowing you to grow your plastic surgery practice without compromising patient care. Your staff will be free to focus their attention on your patients as well, rather than tedious paperwork.

Enhancing Patient Care

Electronic record keeping can enhance patient care in a number of ways. A reduction of errors due to poor handwriting, elimination of lost files and the ability to see a patient’s medical history at a glance are just some of the improvements offered by EMR. Allowing you to spend more time directly with your patients also gives them greater confidence in the procedures they choose and comfort in the process. When your patients are receiving the highest level of care from your office, they are more likely to return for subsequent procedures and tell friends and family members about your practice.

At PatientNOW, we understand that EMR plays a key role in bringing your plastic surgery practice to the next level. Our software packages combine easy-to-use EMR with patient engagement tools that will help you build your practice and your reputation. To learn more about our products, contact PatientNOW today at 800-436-3150.

The Importance of Patient Follow-Up

Posted on | by PatientNOW

It may not seem as though you are building the same patient relationship in plastic surgery as you do in other areas of practice, but if you are serious about growing your patient base, relationship is a must. Patients that have one plastic surgery often come in for additional procedures over time and a good relationship with you is a key factor in ensuring your patients will return to your office for those subsequent treatments. There are a number of additional ways patients that have an ongoing relationship with you can impact the success of your practice.

Patient Reviews

Patients are more likely than ever before to share their experience with your practice on popular review sites like Yelp. At the same time, patients in search of a plastic surgeon may check Yelp for information about the doctor they are considering from a patient’s point of view. This knowledge can be concerning to physicians since it seems like there is no way to control the information that is shared by your patients on these channels. However, maintaining a positive relationship with your patient after a procedure can go far in ensuring any reviews that are posted about you and your practice will be a help rather than a hindrance.

The Social Media Exchange

Social media is another channel where patients might be inclined to share information about their experience with you. When you consider how many friends and friends-of-friends a single Facebook post or tweet can reach, maintaining positive information on these sites is essential as well. At the same time, you can use your own social media channels to engage your patients, providing you with additional exposure and the potential for new patient acquisition as well as current patient retention.

Word-of-Mouth Referrals

When your patients are happy with your service and the results of their procedures, they are more likely to share their experience with friends and family members. Maintaining a relationship with your patients ensures that your name is at the forefront of their minds when discussing procedures with family and friends. It also leaves a positive impression on previous patients that might send others to your practice through word-of-mouth referrals.

Patient Follow-Up Tips

There are a number of ways to boost your patient retention, which can increase your patient acquisition at the same time:

  • Offer a patient loyalty program that offers discounts for repeat visits
  • Establish a birthday club so your patient receives contact from your office every year
  • Utilize patient surveys to determine what your practice does well and where you can improve
  • Follow up on review sites, thanking patients for positive reviews and offering solutions when reviews are not as positive
  • Manage social media to ensure that any negative posts are handled by your practice quickly and effectively

Developing and maintaining positive patient relationships can be easier than you think, with the help of a few simple automation tools. PatientNOW specifically designs software products for plastic surgeons interested in keeping the patient engagement intact long after the first procedure. Our Patient Acquisition and Retention (PAR) software efficiently manages the patient life cycle, creating a positive experience through every step of the process.

Don’t allow patients to fall through the cracks any longer. With PatientNOW solutions, you can maintain positive patient relationships both now and in the future. To learn more, contact PatientNOW today at 888-644-2987.