What Are Your Office’s Resolutions for 2011?

It may seem silly, making New Year’s Resolutions for your business, but taking an annual look at where your practice is and where you want it to go is a great way to achieve results. In 2011, with the push toward electronic health records, it’s a smart idea to add updating your system to your list. Here are some ideas to consider for your practice’s 2011 resolutions.

1. Update Your Plans. No matter if you run a small clinic or a division of a hospital; every facility should have a business and marketing plan. And with healthcare costs on the rise and fewer people having medical insurance, I’m sure you’ve seen a reduction in visits. Take a look at your strategy to see how you can get people in the door in 2011.

2. Become the Office of the (Near) Future. With the Stimulus funds coming online this year, you don’t want to be left behind in updating to electronic medical records. Paper is passe, and part of getting new business is showing that you can embrace change.

3. Thank Your Staff. Medical facilities are high stress most of the time. When’s the last time you said thank you to your receptionist or nurse staff? Make it your goal to appreciate them and make them feel needed. They are, after all, an important part of allowing you to stay focused on your patients.

4. Improve Customer Service. Sometimes we may forget, but a medical office is like a restaurant in that customer service is what keeps patients/customers coming back (or staying away). Work to reduce wait times, have your staff call to remind patients about appointments, and make sure each one leaves satisfied with your service.

What are your other resolutions for this year? How can you make 2011 even better than years past?