1 in 5 rural residents rely on health centers. Overall, HRSA funded health centers have seen patient numbers grow three times over the past 20 years.
1 in 5 rural residents rely on health centers. Overall, HRSA funded health centers have seen patient numbers grow three times over the past 20 years.
1 in 5 rural residents rely on health centers. Overall, HRSA funded health centers have seen patient numbers grow three times over the past 20 years.
The scope of telemedicine’s effect reaches all ends of the medical industry. Patients, medical practitioners, and insurance companies have had to adapt to new technology that is making healthcare more accessible to patients around the country.
Whether it’s a difficult trip to a doctor’s office, or a quick question concerning an unusual change in body temperature, telemedicine is putting patients in direct contact with the help they need. Physicians are taking notice, as well as the insurance companies who are learning how to treat these new services.
What we’ve seen is more patient outreach and participation, but with more services being rolled out over time, there’s more to be seen from telemedicine’s impact.
With more telehealth options available to patients, the way providers handle these services will no doubt change over the next few years. Medicaid, for example, is used by an estimated 20% of Americans. Despite this, and the growing use of telemedicine, only 9 states have current laws concerning Medicaid coverage of telehealth and other related services.
To further complicate things, there are still some states that don’t consider the patient’s home as an eligible site for a telehealth visit or consultation and designates that another designated location be used.
There are also many other limitations and processes in place set forth by individual states concerning reimbursement of telehealth services, but the industry seems to be shifting towards more inclusive Medicaid policies.
Rising costs are a major factor for medical practices, and telemedicine poses a solution in its use of remote systems and services that can substitute for in-face meetings.
These services include
• Telehealth appointments
• Triage services
• Remote monitoring
Telemedicine can also add some alleviation to practices with a small staff since in theory, less unnecessary visits would mandate less staffing.
The example just mentioned is indicative of telemedicine’s current position in the world of medicine; while it does provide cost cutting alternatives, its success lies in the hands of the patients. With the assistance of mobile devices, telemedicine can lead to stricter adherence to medications, a decline in the number of Emergency Room visits, and use of video consultations in place of in-person appointments.
We continue to see the effects of inaccessible and often unavailable mental health resources for the majority of Americans. Behavioral health issues, unlike most physical conditions, can be treated through telehealth services.
“Crisis” situations can be averted if from the privacy of their own home, a mental health patient can utilize existing telepsychiatry services to get in touch with someone they trust. Emergency help aside, people living in areas with little, to no mental healthcare providers in the area, can reach a professional through convenient methods.
New elements can enter the mix, healthcare is after all, an industry built on connections between constantly changing organizations. Telemedicine’s increased use can be solely attributed to our dependence on mobile technology, but that would ignore problems that have plagued the medical industry for years.
While it should be looked at as a tool to incorporate into existing healthcare practices, its use will only be effective if medical practices take time to craft an approach that works for their specific needs.
We’ll plug your health center’s leaks, so your revenue stream is optimized. And who doesn’t want an optimized revenue stream? (everyone wants that of course).
In 2022, nursing jobs will become the most available of any profession in the U.S. In addition, the US Bureau of Labor projects a need of 11 million nurses to avoid even more increasing shortages.
Millennials are willing to spend 21% more for great customer service! In all businesses, having great customer service is a must! This also obviously applies to health care. Where customer care is even more vital.
Launch into the week on a positive note. Try recognizing your employees for their stellar efforts first thing. Setting a positive tone Monday can lead to an awesome week.
Need help with your FQHC’s revenue? Well, stop worrying about optimizing your revenue on your own, and let us handle it for you! Contact us at 800-395-7780
It’s much more cost effective to invest in preventative measures than fixing the damage done by a breach. Be proactive and protect your patients’ data.
It’s no secret, a productive health center, needs productive employees. Simple right? Well, it’s a straightforward equation, but the solution still takes work. So, how do you create a work environment that fosters productive, happy employees? We are going to look at five practical ways to improve your health center employees’ productivity that you can start applying right now.
Showing you care enough to learn about your employees, beyond work, can do wonders for productivity. And it doesn’t take an enormous investment in time to show interest in your employees’ lives. A few moments familiarizing yourself with an employee can unearth information that not only shows you care but can also reveal ways they can improve your office’s productivity. You’ll never know what amazing talents an employee has unless you get to know them.
Don’t be the boss who has no problem criticizing but has difficulty showing appreciation. When you have a worker, who performs at a high level, acknowledge them. Create an employee of the month program that recognizes an individual who has gone beyond her job description to make your health center the best it can be. Additionally, you can take this a step further, by crafting programs that recognize all your employees. Something as easy as a pizza party can do wonders for morale, and productivity.
You did an amazing job hiring the right people, so there should be no reason to take on work others can do. Learn to delegate with the utmost confidence that your employees will not only perform the task but excel. If you don’t have the trust in your employees to take on the extra work, you may need to invest in training programs. Or even consider hiring new workers. Because delegating should be easy.
It has been said many times, “if you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” Having clear, measurable goals is vital in helping your employees reach their peak productivity. Go beyond daily goals, and create standards that should be met weekly, monthly, and yearly. Seeing a goal that can be quantitively achieved makes it clear what each employee should be striving to reach. That in itself will increase productivity and a sense of accomplishment when the goal is met.
No one at your health center should be above constructive criticism, and that includes the boss. Ask your employees for feedback and use that information to improve your operation. Remember, they are the ones dealing with the daily work, so you can truly learn from your workers. Use that information wisely, and never ignore it.
Use these five tips to improve your health center’s productivity and not only will your work output increase but so will employee morale. And that will make everyone happy.
Motivation — it’s absolutely essential in every role, for both employees and leaders alike. Although essential, it’s equally easily wavering. Motivation can be lost as quickly as it’s gained, with a simple setback or challenge creating instability and a lack of confidence. As a leader, it’s your job to embody inspiration and keep moving forward — while serving as a guide of motivation for your employees.
Especially in current times with some individuals working remotely and others working in the middle of the crisis, motivation is extremely important. How do you convince employees to believe in themselves and the organization while dealing with unprecedented changes in society? Simply show them that they are seen. Their presence matters. Their work is appreciated. They are valuable.
Here’s a story to keep this point in your mind: Have you ever heard of how certain tribes in Southern Africa greet each other? “Sawabona.” This means, “I see you.” It isn’t just a “hello,” but rather a term that acknowledges and appreciates the individual’s existence. In an even more beautiful addition to the exchange, one would reply back with: “Sikhona.” This means, “I am here.” The deeper philosophy of these words illustrates that because one is seen by another, they are now here. They matter. They are appreciated. They are valuable. Imagine making your employees feel this way every day.