In an environment where the rules are constantly changing, competition is keen, and tempers can be short, operational efficiency is crucial. Practice managers and administrators have enormous jobs with widely varied responsibilities. I can provide the kind of periodic evaluation of operations that every practice needs but most managers are simply too busy to undertake. Examples of my experience include:

• Analysis of patient flow for a multi-site clinic: I examined clinic operations including: patient scheduling, initial intake, back office procedures, referral to laboratories or specialty services and generation of billing information at multiple locations for a large single specialty clinic. This resulted in specific recommendations which decreased patient waiting times, increased provider productivity and thereby increased revenue.

• Operations analysis for a 5-physician OB/GYN practice: This engagement included an analysis of whether staffing levels and deployment optimized patient flow while assuring a high level of patient satisfaction. I made recommendations on how to utilize the skills of existing employees more effectively and pointed out areas where more training was required. In addition, I found that better management of drop-in appointments, appointment confirmation and physician scheduling would improve patient flow.

• Assess operations of a 7-physician Orthopedic surgery practice: The client was interested in making sure there was adequate staffing to handle the patient load and maximize patient flow through this very busy practice. Since there was no formal human resources department they wanted a thorough analysis of personnel policies, performance evaluation and salary structure as well as an analysis of patient flow and reimbursement. I made recommendations which assured fair application of personnel policies, compliance with labor law, and reduced staff turn-over.

• Billing operations evaluations: Some clients want to assure that billing operations maximize revenue, ensure accurate reporting and include a good system of accounting checks and balances. In these cases the assessment started with charge entry and examined all aspects of billing operations through claims submission, payment posting, appeals filing, accounts receivable follow-up and report generation. For each client I was able to make specific, implementable recommendations to improve cash flow and/or total reimbursement.

An objective, "friendly outsider's" view of operations can be very helpful in spotting ways to make a practice more efficient. I can help you evaluate front ofice, back office and business office operations to assure efficiency, accuracy and accountability.