Fam Pract Manag. 2009;16(2):34
Expedite refill requests
A simple way to reduce the time required for staff to process prescription refill requests is to encourage patients to call their pharmacy directly to request the refill.
The pharmacy faxes us a refill request that lists the medication as it was last prescribed and the date on which it was last filled. We can then quickly and simply check the pharmacy record against the paper chart in our office to verify the information.
This keeps our staff from having to take the message, pull the chart and give it to the provider, and it reduces the number of faxes to the pharmacy.
Buy used computers for your exam rooms
When I set out to computerize my office’s exam rooms, I spent less than $400 per room by purchasing used computers.
The latest and most expensive computers come with much more functionality than we need in our exam rooms. (I don’t see the need to offer video games to patients while they wait.)
My exam rooms are equipped with used Dell computers (Dell OptiPlex GX270 and GX280) running Windows XP operating systems. I’ve found used models available for $250 or less online at Craigslist.org.
Encourage patients to carry ECG records with them
I advise my patients who have a history of heart disease to carry a copy of their electrocardiograms with them.
In the event of an emergency, the baseline electrocardiogram would be an invaluable source of comparative data for the attending physician.
Orient new team members efficiently
In our practice, many new students and residents arrive each month and need some orientation to our office.
To simplify this process, a committee put together an orientation checklist that reminds the staff member providing the orientation what to cover and enables him or her to document when individual items have been completed by signing off on the checklist. It typically takes a half-day or the equivalent to complete the orientation. We ask the new employee to sign at the bottom indicating that the orientation has been completed.