UM Loses World-Renowned Researcher in Viral Lymphomas William J. Harrington Jr., M.D. 1954 2009
Treating your patients effectively is only half the challenge of a successful medical or dental practice. Running it as an efficient business is the other half. As reimbursement levels fall, it is critical to collect patient payments efficiently, and then quickly put those funds to work for the practice. Here, you can take a cue from Corporate Americas playbook and utilize your banks cash management tools.
Patients will enjoy the convenience of paying by credit or debit card, and your practice will eliminate billing costs and float. With a patients permission, you may even bill a credit card for deductibles, coinsurance and other balances after the insurance company has sorted out who owes what. – Remote Deposit
This technology allows staff to digitize checks using a desktop scanner. These digital checks are then sent to the bank using a secure Internet connection, eliminating time consuming trips for manual deposits and improving cash flow. – Medical Lockbox
Payments mailed by patients and insurance companies are directed to the bank, where they are opened, scanned and processed. Downloadable data files of checks and EOBs are provided for reconcilement. In addition to reducing mail time and check float, lockbox services also help eliminate opportunities for fraud. Put Money to Work Collecting the money your practice is owed is certainly important, but putting those funds to work for the practice is just as critical. – Healthcare Sweep Account
Excess funds from the practices operating account (i.e., those not needed for immediate withdrawal) are automatically transferred, or “swept,” into an interest-bearing investment account, generating a revenue stream. As funds are needed, they are automatically swept back into the checking account. – Zero Balance Accounts
Many practices utilize separate accounts for payroll, petty cash, expenses, etc. This can create a pool of non-earning funds that reduces margins when not managed efficiently. A Zero Balance Account allows independent operating accounts, or sub accounts, to be funded from a single account. As checks clear the sub accounts, the bank automatically moves exactly that amount, thus returning the balance in the account to zero.
During the past three months the Florida Orthopaedic Risk Purchasing Group (FORPG) has continued its efforts to unite orthopaedic surgeons under a collective mission to improve patient safety and communications and promote effective risk management practices.
Some ten months into the program, the membership of the Florida Orthopaedic Society has responded with resounding approval. As of the start of August the FORPG represented almost 300 orthopaedic surgeons and is close to achieving its goal of 350 members in the first year of operation. With this core constituency of members, the leadership is pressing forward with the primary mission of the organization, improving our collective risk profile. During the Florida Orthopaedic Society (FOS) Annual Meeting, the FORPG hosted an educational session on Medical Error Prevention. The RPG Board of Directors has also scheduled a joint session with the FOS Board of Directors to focus on enhanced patient communications. This is a course developed jointly by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Bayer Institute for Health Care Communication, Inc. that will be recommended to RPG members in the future. In addition, the organization has formed committees in the areas of Risk Management and Claims Review that will be working directly with the professionals at First Professionals Insurance Company, Inc. (FPIC) to dissect the practice of orthopaedics to identify areas of patient safety and care that may be enhanced. Through the creation of this committee structure the RPG hopes to take advantage of the vast experience of the staff and leadership at FPIC coupled with the scientific knowledge and expertise of orthopaedic surgeons across the state. Just ten months into the experiment it is clear that the Florida Orthopaedic Risk Purchasing Group is starting to fulfill the promise of its founders. While the significant savings offered by the program continues to attract initial interest, the leadership hopes that this enhanced focus on patient safety will pay dividends for our members and patients for years to come.
Hospital doctors, hospital board members hospital administrators, and city dignitaries recently cut a bright red ribbon for the opening of a new Cardiac Catheterization and Special Procedures Suite at Lower Keys Medical Center.
(l-r) LKMC CEO, Nicki Will; HMA Senior Vice President, Josh Putter; Key West City Commissioner, Teri Johnson; LKMC Hospital Board Member, Frank Houtman; LKMC Hospital Board Member, Dr. Robin Lockwood; Hospital District Board Member, Neil Call; LKMC Interventional Cardiologist, Dr. John Campanile; Key West Mayor, Craig Cates; LKMC Interventional Radiologist, Dr. Sandy Shultz; LKMC Medical Executive Committee member Dr. Jerome Covington; and Hospital District Board Member, Cathy Ovide. Photo credit: Mike Hentz.
At VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Palm Beach County, hospice care is a team effort. An interdisciplinary team of nurses, chaplains, social workers, physicians and aides blend their individual expertise into an integrated whole that becomes the VITAS signature: excellent, compassionate end-of-life care that meets the special needs of each patient and family. Volunteers are also part of the team at VITAS, where the role of the volunteer is especially valued and respected. VITAS, after all, began as a volunteer organization over 30 years ago, and has since evolved into the nations leading provider of end-of-life care.
Christie Geltz, Volunteer Services Manager at VITAS of Palm Beach County, says that while volunteering definitely provides comfort to patients and families, plus support to the healthcare team, it can also be an extraordinary experience for the volunteers themselves. “Our volunteers tell me how much they personally benefit from the experience. They describe it as deeply fulfilling and have wonderful stories. So many say, This is the best thing I have ever done. Theyre grateful for the opportunity to contribute in such a meaningful way. “Most people have known someone who received hospice care perhaps a family member. They may be looking for a way to give back, in gratitude. There are many ways to give back, and one of the best ways is by volunteering.”
(l-r) Suzanne Kerce with her dog Annie; Laura Souza with her dog Gianna Marie; and Gerry Cohen with his dog Casey.
There are many ways to volunteer at VITAS, and those who do not wish to work directly with patients can participate in other ways. Geltz has developed a creative range of options that include providing clerical support to the staff, assisting with special events and mailings or making phone calls to patients. Specialty programs make it possible for even the homebound to volunteer, through a sewing program. “We have a Memory Bear program,” Geltz explains. “When a patient dies, the family gives us an article of clothing and our sewing volunteers use it to make a stuffed bear as a keepsake for the family. Volunteers donate the buttons, thread and stuffing. We have volunteers who make quilts, crocheted booties and lap blankets for patients.”
One of the most popular volunteer programs is known as Paw Pals – dogs and their owners who visit hospice patients in nursing homes, hospitals and assisted living facilities. One Paw Pal, a 3 year old Shih Tzu whose name is Gianna Marie, began her training as a therapy dog at 6 months of age. Her owner, Laura Souza, says Gianna has a sweet, outgoing personality that makes her well suited to visiting patients. “Gianna and I volunteer 30 to 40 hours a month; she loves her work. She gives unconditional love to everyone and gets patients to laugh and talk. They look forward to her visits.” Gianna rides in a little stroller as she makes her rounds, wearing clothing from her collection of special outfits. “This brings such joy to me,” says Souza. “Gianna makes people happy. Even some who are not fully alert and oriented seem to respond to her; they somehow sense that shes there.”
VITAS provides a comprehensive orientation program at no cost for new volunteers. The training covers such basics as confidentiality and infection control and offers an introduction to hospice philosophy and grief. In addition, volunteers may attend staff in-services/training sessions. Once the orientation is completed, Geltz matches volunteers with patients, asking for a minimum commitment of two hours, once a week. She tries to place volunteers as close to their homes as possible. “We have more than 80 volunteers, ranging in age from 20 to 80,” she says, “and wed love to have more people join our team. In general, volunteers should be at least 18 but we make exceptions with parental permission. The volunteers are mostly women but men can do this, too, and more men are needed. Our volunteers come from all backgrounds. At VITAS, we appreciate them so much. Volunteers make a huge difference to our patients, their families and our staff. They are miracle workers.”