Medical Office Administration 2nd edition

1. Medical Office Administration2nd edition Brenda A. Potter, CPC

2. Chapter 12 Business Operations of the Medical Office

3. Types of Ownership • Corporation • Profit • Nonprofit • Sole proprietorship • Partnership

4. Financial Interests of Physicians • Physicians may own health-related businesses • Ownership in such businesses should not influence physician’s decision • Patient’s best interest is paramount

5. Organizational Hierarchy • Employees usually grouped according to their work • Board of directors usually provides overall management of large corporate practices • Hierarchy establishes chain of command for accountability and decision making

6. Joint Commission • National organization that reviews practices of healthcare facilities • Federal and state regulations may require accreditation to conduct business • Accreditation process consists of self-study and on-site review

7. Facility Safety • Work environment must be safe for all employees • An unsafe workplace invites legal problems

8. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) • Federal agency responsible for setting standards for sage work practices • Conducts on-site inspection of workplaces • If employee is injured, injury form must be completed to document injury • Employers may be fined for unsafe work practices

9. Ergonomics • Involves matching employee’s physical capacity to the work done by the employee • Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) can result if repetitive motions injure employee • Improper workstations can contribute to development of MSD

10. Employee Rights under OSHA • Employees are allowed to complain to OSHA • Employees entitled to have their identities kept confidential • Employees may participate in OSAH inspections • Employees may not be discriminated against for complaining to OSHA

11. Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) • Listing of product information and composition, and first aid for exposure) • MSDS must be available for every hazardous substance in workplace

12. Blood-Borne Pathogens and Standard Precautions • Microorganisms present in bodily infections that will cause infection in humans • Blood-Borne Pathogen Standard protects healthcare workers • Office must establish guidelines for cleanup • Reports must be filed if employee contaminated

13. Standard Precautions and Universal Precautions • Universal precautions means treating bodily fluid as potentially infectious • Standard precautions include blood-borne and airborne pathogens

14. Hazard Communication Standard • Often referred to as “Right To Know” • Employees have a right to know about workplace hazards

15. Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) • Federal requirement • All facilities conducting laboratory tests must be inspected • Lab exempt if state conducts inspection

16. Office Supplies • Six-month supply should be kept on hand • Keep inventory log to determine average use • Supply scams – phony invoice, copier supplies

17. Office Meetings and Communications • Communication between physician and staff is critical to success of practice • Meetings should be called when • Input from staff necessary • Matter is crucial • Questions may arise • Need to ensure understanding of information

18. Interoffice Memo • Effective means of communicating easily understood information • Provides a written record • Cost-effective

19. Office Meetings • Should be regularly scheduled • Difficult to schedule a time when all can attend • Agenda should be prepared • Keep meetings efficient • Allow for questions • Record minutes • Outside meetings require more planning

20. Travel Planning • Travel agent can coordinate arrangements • Itinerary provides detail of trip schedule • Three copies of itinerary needed • Two for traveler • One for office