One of the biggest challenges for private practice spine surgeons is the growing regulatory burden placed on physicians. Increased documentation makes it difficult to operate the practice efficiently, and the additional documentation does little to improve patient care.
“We are keeping the bean counters happy,” says Peoria, Ill.-based Prairie Spine & Pain Institute Co-Founder Richard Kube II, MD. “The documentation requirements are a real challenge to maintaining efficiency because we are distracted by things that aren’t pertaining to the care of the patient. If there’s one thing that’s been an issue of irritation and disappointment over the past few years, it’s been the additional documentation needlessly sucking up my time.”
The additional time spent on documentation means that physicians are looking for ways to operate their practices even more efficiently. The key concepts for maintaining a well-run practice include:
- Good staff hires who can work efficiently
- Communication about staff expectations
- Rigorous staff training manuals and workflows
- Physician involvement in practice processes
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Source: www.beckersasc.com; Laura Dyrda; April 17, 2014.