The better you can use your tech stack and manage it, the better it will work for you. And with the ever-changing landscape of healthcare, you can’t afford to be behind.
Ready to embrace the new norm of a digital workplace and make it work for you — not against you?
Get reading to learn four tips to get the most of your tech at your clinic.
1. See if there’s a free version
One thing you know for sure – running a clinic isn’t cheap. And on top of that, every new gadget, tool, or equipment costs money.
But does it have to?
Depending on the size of your clinic, you may not need the biggest package offered by whatever service you're looking into. That extra savings can go a long way to helping you buy a new machine or update your waiting room so your patients feel comfortable while they wait to see their physician.
Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of free products.
Sign up for a free trial. Many tools and services offer you a free trial to test it out. Before you throw down that credit card, give it a whirl to see if you like it. And to get the most out of the trial, check in with the customer service team to see if they can get you set up so you can spend your time digging in rather than just setting it up.
Try freemium. Since most trials are for a limited time, you might need another avenue to continue using the product. But when you look at the pricing, you’re still not convinced your practice can spare the cash. See if the tool has a free version. This is a great compromise for clinics that need the service but can get by with fewer add-ons.
Get on the mailing list. Your inbox is probably crammed with emails from patients, insurance companies, and suppliers. But signing up for email newsletters is a great way to learn if that tool you have your eye on has any special deals or new features that make purchasing a little easier.
2. Automate administrative tasks
One of the hardest — and most time-consuming — administrative tasks is scheduling your staff. Scheduling the right staff, at the right times, across different roles or locations can cause quite a headache. Luckily, technology can help keep your team or teams where they need to be.
If you’re using clunky software or — gasp — a spreadsheet, you’re actually costing your business time and money. Instead of focusing on quality care, you’re wasting hours figuring out how to adjust the schedule when staff have last-minute changes.
Use a staff scheduling solution that lets you build schedules in minutes. That way, you can easily fill shifts based on employee availability, training, and cost. Say goodbye to wasted time on admin, and hello to loving your technology.
Ready to simplify your scheduling? Here are a few other tips to help you choose the right staff scheduling solution.
Fill empty shifts with the right staff. If you or another physician prefer to work with a particular person, look for a solution that enables you to create preferred working schedules automatically.
Flex with demand. Your clinic likely has fluctuations in demand, especially during certain seasons. Your staff scheduling solution should be able to help you predict when (and where) you need staff so you always have the right coverage for the best patient care.
Go mobile. In healthcare, you can’t be tied to your desk. Look for a tool that has a mobile app so you can make changes on the go, wherever you are.
3. Use the right staff engagement tools
Demanding hours, physical labor, and proximity to sickness means that healthcare workers are often at risk of burning out.
In spite of their challenging environments, healthcare workers are dedicated to their jobs. But they still struggle with feeling engaged at work. If you manage medical clinics or care offices, discover how you could improve employee engagement so your team — and their patients — will thrive.
Streamline communication. Healthcare is 24/7. Appointments pop up or get unexpectedly canceled, safety protocols change, and insurance policies can be confusing. To keep everyone in the loop, make sure your communications are efficient and timely. When you need to let everyone know of policy changes or staff announcements, how do you do it? Emails pile up and get ignored and texts get lost. Use a central platform that keeps your team informed, on the go.
Create a work-life balance. Give them a scheduling tool so they can find an alternate if they need to call off work. You can even try rotating schedules so that everyone receives an equitable share of hours. You’ll be able to spread your staff around and ensure they take vacations.
Prioritize mental health. Healthcare staff are prone to burning out. Trying to accommodate all of your patients, addressing ailments, and negotiating with insurance. It takes a toll. And if you want to keep your staff engaged, you need to address their well-being. Luckily, there are many tools and tips to help you ensure the mental health of your staff. Start a conversation, create a culture of mindfulness, and remember that good patient care begins with good staff care.
4. Make patient payments easy
It’s 8:00 a.m. and your urgent care clinic just opened. Someone sliced their finger open making breakfast and one of your physicians just stitched them up. Now it’s time for them to pay — but you only accept cash or check. And worse, the patient doesn’t have any cash.
Digital transactions provide patients with convenience and a better experience. It’s important to make it easy for them to pay.
Digital payment tools are one of the fastest-growing trends in healthcare. More and more practices are switching to online billing due to the patient demand for it. It’s not only better for the environment, but it’s also better for your bottom line. Faster, easier payment means quicker and increased cash flow.
Swipe, tap, or insert. At a minimum, your clinic should be able to process credit cards or debit cards. Make it easy for your patients to pay with plastic.
Pay it by PayPal. You can buy many things with PayPal, why not a medical/clinic/spa visit? Many online users are now using PayPal both for the convenience of online payments and also because patients like the added layer of security.
Go mobile. Present your patients with the option of paying from their mobile device or tablet. Send your patients a text or email with a link to a digital checkout.
Increase productivity in the workplace
Whether it’s growing your business, increasing staff productivity, or reducing business costs, your clinic’s success depends on your decisions.
Ready to maximize your ROI? Download The Essential Tech Checklist for Clinics for more tips.
