Med Monthly December 2017 by MedMedia9

PHYSICIAN SOLUTIONS PRESENTS

Med Monthly MAGAZINE

December 2017

HOW TO DESIGN THE PERFECT WAITING ROOM

the

Modern Medical Lobby

pg. 28

issue

Smiling, Compassionate Staff Will Brighten Your Lobby pg. 26

Increase Patient Satisfaction by Renovating and Reimagining Your Reception Area pg. 22

contents

features

IS YOUR MEDICAL PRACTICE’S SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY ADEQUATE?

20 INCREASE PATIENT SATISFACTION BY RENOVATING AND REIMAGINING YOUR RECEPTION AREA 24 SMILING, COMPASSIONATE STAFF WILL BRIGHTEN YOUR LOBBY 26 HOW TO DESIGN THE PERFECT WAITING ROOM

INCREASE PATIENT SATISFACTION BY RENOVATING AND REIMAGINING YOUR RECEPTION AREA

practice tips 6

MISSION CRITICAL: Preventing Antibiotic Resistance

IS YOUR MEDICAL PRACTICE’S SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY ADEQUATE?

10 THREE YEARS LATER, FOLEY SURVEY REVEALS POSITIVE PROGNOSIS FOR TELEMEDICINE 12 MORE CARDIAC ARREST VICTIMS COULD SURVIVE WITH DISPATCHER CPR INSTRUCTION

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Med Monthly December 2017 Publisher Creative Director Contributors

Philip Driver Thomas Hibbard Naren Arulrajah Vishal Gandhi, BSEE, MBA Nick Hernandez, MBA, FACHE Nathaniel M. Lacktman Denise Price Thomas

contributors Naren Arulrajah is President and CEO of Ekwa Marketing, a complete Internet marketing company which focuses on SEO, social media, marketing education and the online reputations of Dentists and Physicians. If you have questions about marketing your practice online, call Naren direct at 877-249-9666.

Vishal Gandhi, BSEE, MBA is the founder and CEO ClinicSpectrum Inc. He is a well-known and widely respected authority on the “nitty-gritty” of medical practice workflow and technology. His Hybrid Workflow Model is quickly becoming a new healthcare industry standard model for combining human and computer workflow, to maximize revenue and minimize cost and he has appeared in prominent health IT publications.

Nick Hernandez, MBA, FACHE

Med Monthly is a national monthly magazine committed to providing insights about the health care profession focusing on practical advice for physicians and practices. We are currently accepting articles to be considered for publication. For more information on writing for Med Monthly, please email us at medmedia9@gmail.com.

P.O. Box 99488 Raleigh, NC 27624 medmedia9@gmail.com Online 24/7 at medmonthly.com

is the CEO and founder of ABISA, a consultancy specializing in solo and small group practice management. He has consulted with clients in multiple countries and has over 20 years of leadership and operations experience. Visit www.abisallc.com for more information.

Nathaniel Lacktman is a partner and health care lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP. He is the chair of the firm’s Telemedicine Industry Team and co-chair of the firm’s Digital Health Work Group. He advises health care providers and technology companies on business arrangements, compliance, and corporate matters, with particular attention to telehealth, digital health, and health innovation.

Denise Price Thomas retired in 2009 as a surgical practice administrator where she was employed for 32 years. She is certified in healthcare management through Pfeiffer College. Speaking invitations have taken her from NC to SC, Georgia, Florida, Chicago, Alaska and more. Website: www.denisepricethomas.com MED MONTHLY MAGAZINE |5

practice tips

Mission Critical:

Preventing Antibiotic Resistance Can you imagine a day when antibiotics don’t work anymore? It’s concerning to think that the antibiotics that we depend upon for everything from skin and ear infections to life-threatening bloodstream infections could no longer work. Unfortunately, the

| DECEMBER 2017

threat of untreatable infections is very real. Antibiotic resistance occurs when germs outsmart drugs. In today’s healthcare and community settings, we are already seeing germs stronger than the drugs we have to treat them. This is

an extremely scary situation for patients and healthcare workers alike. So, what is fueling antibiotic resistance, you may ask? We’re finding that the widespread overuse and incorrect prescribing practices are significant problems. In

addition to driving drug resistance, these poor practices introduce unnecessary side effects, allergic reactions, and serious diarrheal infections caused by Clostridium difficile. These complications of antibiotic therapy can have serious outcomes, even death. According to CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network, a growing number of healthcareassociated infections are caused by bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics. These include: MRSA, vancomycinresistant Enterococcus, extendedspectrum cephalosporin-resistant K. pneumonia (and K. oxytoca), E. coli and Enterobacter spp., carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa, carbapenem-resistant K. pneumonia (and K. oxytoca), E. coli, and Enterobacter spp.

So, What Can We Do to Prevent Antibiotic Resistance in Healthcare Settings? Patients, healthcare providers, healthcare facility administrators, and policy makers must work together to employ effective strategies for improving antibiotic use—ultimately improving medical care and saving lives. Patients Can: • Ask if tests will be done to make sure the right antibiotic is prescribed. • Take antibiotics exactly as the doctor prescribes. Do not skip doses. Complete the prescribed course of treatment, even when you start feeling better. • Only take antibiotics prescribed for you; do not share or use leftover antibiotics. Antibiotics treat specific types of infections.

Taking the wrong medicine may delay correct treatment and allow bacteria to multiply. • Do not save antibiotics for the next illness. Discard any leftover medication once the prescribed course of treatment is completed. • Do not ask for antibiotics when your doctor thinks you do not need them. Remember antibiotics have side effects. • Prevent infections by practicing good hand hygiene and getting recommended vaccines. Healthcare Providers Can: • Prescribe antibiotics correctly – get cultures, start the right drug promptly at the right dose for the right duration. Reassess the prescription within 48 hours based on tests and patient exam. • Document the dose, duration and indication for every antibiotic prescription. • Stay aware of antibiotic resistance patterns in your facility. • Participate in and lead efforts within your hospital to improve prescribing practices. • Follow hand hygiene and other infection control measures with every patient. Healthcare Facility Administrators and Payers Can: To protect patients and preserve the power of antibiotics, hospital CEOs/medical officers can: • Adopt an antibiotic stewardship program that includes, at a minimum, this checklist: 1. Leadership commitment: Dedicate necessary human, financial, and IT resources. 2. Accountability: Appoint

a single leader responsible for program outcomes. Physicians have proven successful in this role. 3. Drug expertise: Appoint a single pharmacist leader to support improved prescribing. 4. Action: Take at least one prescribing improvement action, such as requiring reassessment within 48 hours to check drug choice, dose, and duration. 5. Tracking: Monitor prescribing and antibiotic resistance patterns. 6. Reporting: Regularly report to staff prescribing and resistance patterns, and steps to improve. 7. Education: Offer education about antibiotic resistance and improving prescribing practices. • Work with other health care facilities to prevent infections, transmission, and resistance.

New Investment Needed Expanding upon current patient safety efforts and goals, the FY 2015 President’s Budget requests funding for CDC to increase the detection of antibiotic resistant infections and improve efforts to protect patients from infections, including those detailed in today’s CDC reports. Additionally the President’s Budget requests an increase for the National Healthcare Safety Network to fully implement tracking of antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance threats in U.S. hospitals.  Source: https://www.cdc.gov/ features/antibioticresistance/index. html

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practice tips

Is Your Medical Practiceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Social Media Policy Adequate? By Nick Hernandez, MBA, FACHE CEO and Founder of ABISA

| DECEMBER 2017

By now every physician should be aware of the benefits that can be bestowed upon their practice as a result of social media. Indeed many practices are engaging in one or more social media platforms on a regular basis. Moreover, staff members are most definitely active in social media, and probably use it while at work. Physicians and practice managers must be smart about training employees on what they should and should not share online. Staff in your practice could incur liability on behalf of your practice as a result of their comments on social media. Because of the confidentiality rules in HIPAA, staff training is important. You should constantly remind employees that they are representatives of the practice. You should also have some sort of social media policy in place. Here are a few key items your policy should include: 1. Guidelines and Expectations Your policy should set clear expectations for how team members (as representatives of your practice) must conduct themselves online. Your policy should clearly state that there will be no posting of protected health information (PHI) and that employees are not allowed to use social media in work areas near patients. Be specific in training your employees and inform them to avoid identifying patients in any way on social media — this includes names, unique characteristics, etc. Some practices do not allow employees use social media for personal reasons on work time. While that is fine as a policy, it does not circumvent the need to appropriately train your staff. Moreover, it can be hard to police. It is advisable to discourage team members from participating with patients on various websites. If they do engage patients on social media, they certainly should not be discussing patient-related matters. Lastly, someone (most likely the practice administrator) should be designated as the spokesperson responsible for answering questions about your practice on social media. 2. Penalties and Consequences Penalties for data breaches increased under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act so your policy should make it clear to employees about the consequences of their actions on social media sites. An individual claiming they did not know they violated HIPAA is subject to a minimum of $100 per violation. A HIPAA violation due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect carries a minimum fine of $1,000 per violation. A HIPAA violation that is due to willful neglect (but corrected in short order) is subject to a minimum of $10,000 per violation. Lastly, a HIPAA violation that is due to willful neglect and not corrected carries a minimum fine of $50,000 per violation. The maximum fine for each of these four categories is $50,000 per violation. 3. Explanations of Rules and Regulations The social media policy should outline what is illegal, what is considered confidential information of the practice, and what is protected health information. It’s not enough to have a social media policy — employers should put in just as much time and effort in training their employees on the ins and outs of the policy. Make it a separate document from the employee handbook. 

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practice tips

Three Years Later, Foley Survey Reveals Positive Prognosis for Telemedicine Nathaniel M. Lacktman Foley & Lardner LLP

When we launched Foley’s inaugural Telemedicine and Digital Health Survey in 2014, it was apparent that health care executives weren’t ready to make telemedicine a significant focus of their business and patient strategies. The interest was there but, despite tremendous technological breakthroughs and imaginative applications, most telemedicine programs were in the early stages and there was little acceptance by the broader health care community. Fast forward to present time and the industry outlook has changed dramatically, due in large part to proven patient outcomes and surging demand among providers looking to improve the quality of care in a more convenient, cost-effective manner. According to our 2017 survey, where we queried a range of executives at hospitals, specialty clinics, ancillary services and related organizations, threequarters of respondents currently offer, or are planning to provide, telemedicine services. Now, compare that to three years ago when nearly 87 percent didn’t expect their patients to be using telemedicine services by this time – that’s quite a turnaround. Beyond adoption, providers reported strong satisfaction with the telemedicine platforms they were using; over half of the organizations that track return on investment reported savings of 10 percent or more. And, a third of respondents said 50 percent or more of patients continued to use telemedicine after an initial 10

| DECEMBER 2017

visit, demonstrating growing patient satisfaction with the service. The deluge of telemedicine programs entering the mature and implementation phases doesn’t come without complications, however. Providers are already looking to expand their telemedicine programs overseas, where they’ll encounter unfamiliar governance in foreign jurisdictions. Furthermore, there’s still more work to be done here in the United States, where the Food and Drug Administration needs to weigh in on new software and other digital health technologies, and state and federal governments must reduce regulatory ambiguities and barriers. These complex issues can and should be considered great opportunities for the health care industry’s major players. Those that are able to navigate new and existing laws and regulations will better positioned to take advantage of the rapid advancements in technology which, in turn, will enable them to provide innovative care for patients in new markets around the block and around the world. To read more about these key themes and others that emerged in our research, please visit http://bit.ly/ Foley-Telemedicine-Survey.  Source: https://www.healthcarelawtoday. com/2017/11/15/three-years-later-foley-survey-revealspositive-prognosis-for-telemedicine/

What’s your practice worth? When most doctors are asked what their practice is worth, the answer is usually, “I don’t know.” Doctors can tell you what their practices made or lost last year, but few actually know what it’s worth. In today’s world, expenses are rising and profits are being squeezed. A BizScore Performance Review will provide details regarding liquidity, profits & profit margins, sales, borrowing and assets. Our three signature sections include:  Performance review  Valuation  Projections

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practice tips

More Cardiac Arrest Victims Could Survive with Dispatcher CPR Instruction, Rescue Breaths for Children

American Heart Association Moves to Annual Guidelines Update, a First for the Organization

| DECEMBER 2017

ore people will survive cardiac arrest if emergency medical dispatchers give chest compression-only CPR instructions over the phone and if infants and children receive chest compressions with rescue breaths, according to updated CPR guidelines published today by the American Heart Association (Association), the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular disease. The changes in the 2017 American Heart Association Focused Updates on Adult and Pediatric Basic Life Support and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Quality also re-emphasize the importance of bystanders starting immediate chest compressions if they see an adult collapse in a suspected cardiac arrest. Immediate bystander help has been shown to double or triple survival chances among the more than 350,000 Americans who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year. Highlighting the need for rapid response, the 2017 Focused Updates stress the importance of providing dispatch-assisted compression-only CPR instructions when cardiac arrest is suspected. Telephone CPR not only assists the untrained caller, but it reminds the CPR-trained caller how to provide high-quality CPR in a stressful situation. Currently, only half of the nation’s dispatchers provide telephone CPR, which has been identified as a critical intervention in the chain of survival for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The 2017 Focused Updates were informed by research published since the 2015 Guidelines Update, and authors found even more evidence supporting the need for compressions and rescue breaths during CPR for children who have not yet reached puberty. More than 7,000 children die from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest annually. In most cases, it is the result of a lack of oxygen, and rescue breaths can keep oxygenated blood flowing through the system. “The 2017 Focused Updates validate what we already know about performing CPR and offer a scientific basis for optimizing CPR quality to save more lives,” said Karl Kern, M.D., chair of the Association’s Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee and professor of medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson’s Sarver Heart Center. “It’s critically important to translate new science to bedside care as quickly as possible, especially as the amount of scientific research available is growing rapidly.”

The Guidelines had previously been updated every five years, and this marks the first year that the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), an organization of global resuscitation experts, is switching to an annual format. The Association represents the United States on the committee. The ILCOR evaluation process involves hundreds of resuscitation scientists and experts worldwide, who evaluate thousands of peer-reviewed publications for high-priority resuscitation topics requiring a systematic review. The annual focused update allows the rigor of a comprehensive review and expert consensus in as close to real time as possible. “A continuous evidence evaluation process means that we can address new science quickly and recommend when it should change care,” said Robert Neumar, M.D., Ph.D., past chair of the Association’s Emergency Cardiovascular Care Committee, current ILCOR co-chair, and professor and chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Michigan. “In this day and age of rapid-fire digital distribution and fewer fact checks, it also allows us to refute studies that may not demonstrate a need to change current practices.” Since establishing its Guidelines in 1966, the Association has led evaluation and dissemination of the latest resuscitation science to help inform and modernize CPR. These guidelines have been used to train more than 22 million people annually in CPR, cardiovascular care and first aid around the world. Additional Resources: • Available multimedia located on the right column of the release link: https://newsroom.heart.org/ news/more-cardiac-arrest-victims-could-survivewith-dispatcher-cpr-instruction-rescue-breaths-forchildren?preview=bd9a4cca509067354cf32b5e64dc de7a • 2017 Focused Updates landing page and video: www.heart.org/ECCguidelines • To learn more about Hands-Only CPR: www. heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR • To learn more about CPR, AED and First Aid training: www.heart.org/WorkforceTraining • To find training near you: www.heart.org/ FindACourse  Source: http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/ print/1238812

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U.S. OPTICAL BOARDS Alaska P.O. Box 110806 Juneau, AK 99811 (907)465-5470 https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/ cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/DispensingOpticians.aspx

Idaho 450 W. State St., 10th Floor Boise , ID 83720 (208)334-5500 https://ibol.idaho.gov/IBOL/BoardPage. aspx?Bureau=OPT

Arizona 1400 W. Washington, Rm. 230 Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602)542-3095 http://www.do.az.gov

Kentucky P.O. Box 1360 Frankfurt, KY 40602 (502)564-3296 http://www.opticiantraining.org/optician-training-kentucky/

Arkansas P.O. Box 627 Helena, AR 72342 (870)572-2847 California 2005 Evergreen St., Ste. 1200 Sacramento, CA 95815 (916)263-2382 http://www.optometry.ca.gov/ Colorado 1560 Broadway St. #1310 Denver, CO 80202 (303)894-7750 http://www.dora.state.co.us/optometry/ Connecticut 410 Capitol Ave., MS #12APP P.O. Box 340308 Hartford, CT 06134 (860)509-7603 ext. 4 http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view. asp?a=3121&q=427586 Florida 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin C08 Tallahassee, FL 32399 (850)245-4474 http://floridasoptometry.gov/ Georgia 237 Coliseum Dr. Macon, GA 31217 (478)207-1671 http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing/ plb/20 Hawaii P.O. Box 3469 Honolulu, HI 96801 (808)586-2704 http://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/optometry/

Massachusetts 239 Causeway St. Boston, MA 02114 (617)727-5339 http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/ dpl-boards/op/ Nevada P.O. Box 70503 Reno, NV 89570 (775)853-1421 http://nvbdo.state.nv.us/ New Hampshire 129 Pleasant St. Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-5590 www.state.nh.us New Jersey P.O. Box 45011 Newark, NJ 07101 (973)504-6435 http://www.njsop.org/aws/NJSOP/pt/sp/ home_page New York 89 Washington Ave., 2nd Floor W. Albany, NY 12234 (518)402-5944 http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/od/ North Carolina P.O. Box 25336 Raleigh, NC 27611 (919)733-9321 http://www.ncoptometry.org/ Ohio 77 S. High St. Columbus, OH 43266 (614)466-9707 http://optical.ohio.gov/

Oregon 3218 Pringle Rd. SE Ste. 270 Salem, OR 97302 (503)373-7721 http://www.oregonobo.org/optque.htm Rhode Island 3 Capitol Hill, Rm 104 Providence, RI 02908 (401)222-7883 http://sos.ri.gov/govdirectory/index. php? page=DetailDeptAgency&eid=260 South Carolina P.O. Box 11329 Columbia, SC 29211 (803)896-4665 www.llr.state.sc.us Tennessee Heritage Place Metro Center 227 French Landing, Ste. 300 Nashville, TN 37243 (615)253-6061 http://tn.gov/health Texas P.O. Box 149347 Austin, TX 78714 (512)834-6661 http://www.tob.state.tx.us/ Vermont National Life Bldg N FL. 2 Montpelier, VT 05620 (802)828-2191 http://vtprofessionals.org/opr1/ opticians/ Virginia 3600 W. Broad St. Richmond, VA 23230 (804)367-8500 http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/ HAS-Opticians/ Washington 300 SE Quince P.O. Box 47870 Olympia, WA 98504 (360)236-4947 http://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/MedicalCommission. aspx

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U.S. DENTAL BOARDS Alabama Alabama Board of Dental Examiners 5346 Stadium Trace Pkwy., Ste. 112 Hoover, AL 35244 (205) 985-7267 http://www.dentalboard.org/ Alaska P.O. Box 110806 Juneau, AK 99811-0806 (907)465-2542 https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/ cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardofDentalExaminers.aspx Arizona 4205 N. 7th Ave. Suite 300 Phoenix, AZ 85103 (602)242-1492 http://azdentalboard.us/ Arkansas 101 E. Capitol Ave., Suite 111 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501)682-2085 http://www.asbde.org/ California 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1550Â Sacramento, CA 95815 877-729-7789 http://www.dbc.ca.gov/

Hawaii DCCA-PVL Att: Dental P.O. Box 3469 Honolulu, HI 96801 (808)586-3000 http://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/boards/dentist/ Idaho P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720 (208)334-2369 http://isbd.idaho.gov/ Illinois 320 W. Washington St. Springfield, IL 62786 (217)785-0820 http://www.boardofdentistry.net/illinoisboard-of-dentistry-db13 Indiana 402 W. Washington St., Room W072 Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317)232-2980 http://www.in.gov/pla/dental.htm

Colorado 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350 Denver, CO 80202 (303)894-7800 https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dora/ Dental_Board

Iowa 400 SW 8th St. Suite D Des Moines, IA 50309 (515)281-5157 http://www.state.ia.us/dentalboard/

Connecticut 410 Capitol Ave. Hartford, CT 06134 (860)509-8000 http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view. asp?a=3143&q=388884

Kansas 900 SW Jackson Room 564-S Topeka, KS 66612 (785)296-6400 http://www.dental.ks.gov/

Delaware Cannon Building, Suite 203 861 Solver Lake Blvd. Dover, DE 19904 (302)744-4500 http://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/dental/

Kentucky 312 Whittington Parkway, Suite 101 Louisville, KY 40222 (502)429-7280 http://dentistry.ky.gov/

Florida 4052 Bald Cypress Way Bin C-08 Tallahassee, FL 32399 (850)245-4474 http://floridasdentistry.gov/ 16

Georgia 237 Coliseum Drive Macon, GA 31217 (478)207-2440 https://gbd.georgia.gov/

| DECEMBER 2017

Louisiana 365 Canal St., Suite 2680 New Orleans, LA 70130 (504)568-8574 http://www.lsbd.org/

Maine 143 State House Station 161 Capitol St. Augusta, ME 04333 (207)287-3333 http://www.maine.gov/dental/licensure/ forms.html Maryland 55 Wade Ave. Catonsville, Maryland 21228 (410)402-8500 http://dhmh.state.md.us/dental/ Massachusetts 1000 Washington St., Suite 710 Boston, MA 02118 (617)727-1944 http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/hcq/dhpl/ dentist/about/ Michigan P.O. Box 30664 Lansing, MI 48909 (517)241-2650 http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7154-72600_72603_27529_27533---,00. html Minnesota 2829 University Ave., SE. Suite 450 Minneapolis, MN 55414 (612)617-2250 http://www.dentalboard.state.mn.us/ Mississippi 600 E. Amite St., Suite 100 Jackson, MS 39201 (601)944-9622 http://bit.ly/uuXKxl Missouri 3605 Missouri Blvd. P.O. Box 1367 Jefferson City, MO 65102 (573)751-0040 http://pr.mo.gov/dental.asp Montana P.O. Box 200113 Helena, MT 59620 (406)444-2511 http://bsd.dli.mt.gov/license/bsd_ boards/den_board/board_page.asp

Nebraska 301 Centennial Mall South Lincoln, NE 68509 (402)471-3121 http://www.boardofdentistry.net/nebraska-board-of-dentistry-db27

Ohio Riffe Center 77 S. High St.,17th Floor Columbus, OH 43215 (614)466-2580 http://www.dental.ohio.gov/

Nevada 6010 S. Rainbow Blvd. Suite A-1 Las Vegas, NV 89118 (702)486-7044 http://www.nvdentalboard.nv.gov/

Oklahoma 201 N.E. 38th Terr., #2 Oklahoma City, OK 73105 (405)524-9037 http://www.ok.gov/dentistry/

New Hampshire 2 Industrial Park Dr. Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-4561 http://www.nh.gov/dental/

Oregon 1600 SW 4th Ave. Suite 770 Portland, OR 97201 (971)673-3200 http://www.oregon.gov/Dentistry/

New Jersey P.O Box 45005 Newark, NJ 07101 (973)504-6405 http://njpublicsafety.com/ca/dentistry/

Pennsylvania P.O. Box 2649 Harrisburg, PA 17105 (717)783-7162 http://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Dentistry/ Pages/default.aspx#.VbkfjPlPVYU

New Mexico Toney Anaya Building 2550 Cerrillos Rd. Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505)476-4680 http://www.rld.state.nm.us/boards/Dental_Health_Care.aspx New York 89 Washington Ave. Albany, NY 12234 (518)474-3817 http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/dent/ North Carolina 507 Airport Blvd., Suite 105 Morrisville, NC 27560 (919)678-8223 http://www.ncdentalboard.org/ North Dakota P.O. Box 7246 Bismark, ND 58507 (701)258-8600 http://www.nddentalboard.org/

Rhode Island Dept. of Health Three Capitol Hill, Room 104 Providence, RI 02908 (401)222-2828 http://1.usa.gov/u66MaB South Carolina P.O. Box 11329 Columbia, SC 29211 (803)896-4599 http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/Dentistry/ South Dakota P.O. Box 1079 105. S. Euclid Ave. Suite C Pierre, SC 57501 (605)224-1282 https://www.sdboardofdentistry.com/ Tennessee 227 French Landing, Suite 300 Nashville, TN 37243 (615)532-3202 http://tn.gov/health

Texas 333 Guadeloupe St. Suite 3-800 Austin, TX 78701 (512)463-6400 http://www.tsbde.state.tx.us/ Utah 160 E. 300 South Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (801)530-6628 http://1.usa.gov/xMVXWm Vermont National Life Building North FL2 Montpelier, VT 05620 (802)828-1505 http://governor.vermont.gov/boards_ and_commissions/dental_examiners Virginia Perimeter Center 9960 Maryland Dr., Suite 300 Henrico, VA 23233 (804)367-4538 http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/dentistry Washington 310 Israel Rd. SE P.O. Box 47865 Olympia, WA 98504 (360)236-4700 http://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProfessionsNewReneworUpdate/Dentist.aspx West Virginia 1319 Robert C. Byrd Dr. P.O. Box 1447 Crab Orchard, WV 25827 1-877-914-8266 http://www.wvdentalboard.org/ Wisconsin P.O. Box 8935 Madison, WI 53708 1(877)617-1565 http://dsps.wi.gov/Default. aspx?Page=90c5523f-bab0-4a45-ab943d9f699d4eb5 Wyoming 1800 Carey Ave., 4th Floor Cheyenne, WY 82002 (307)777-6529 http://dental.wyo.gov/

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U.S. MEDICAL BOARDS Alabama P.O. Box 946 Montgomery, AL 36101 (334)242-4116 http://www.albme.org/ Alaska 550 West 7th Ave., Suite 1500 Anchorage, AK 99501 (907)269-8163 http://www.medlicense.com/alaskamedical-license.html Arizona 9545 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85258 (480)551-2700 http://www.azmd.gov Arkansas 1401 West Capitol Ave., Suite 340 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501)296-1802 http://www.armedicalboard.org/ California 2005 Evergreen St., Suite 1200 Sacramento, CA 95815 (916)263-2382 http://www.mbc.ca.gov/ Colorado 1560 Broadway, Suite 1350 Denver, CO 80202 (303)894-7690 http://www.docjungle.com/medicalboards/colorado-physician-licensing/ Connecticut 401 Capitol Ave. Hartford, CT 06134 (860)509-8000 http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view. asp?a=3143&q=388902 Delaware Division of Professional Regulation Cannon Building 861 Silver Lake Blvd., Suite 203 Dover, DE 19904 (302)744-4500 http://dpr.delaware.gov/ District of Columbia 899 North Capitol St., NE Washington, DC 20002 (202)442-5955 http://doh.dc.gov/bomed 18

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Florida 2585 Merchants Row Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32399 (850)245-4444 http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/ DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=115

Louisiana LSBME P.O. Box 30250 New Orleans, LA 70190 (504)568-6820 http://www.lsbme.la.gov/

Georgia 2 Peachtree Street NW, 36th Floor Atlanta, GA 30303 (404)656-3913 http://bit.ly/vPJQyG

Maine 161 Capitol Street 137 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 (207)287-3601 http://www.maine.gov/md/

Hawaii DCCA-PVL P.O. Box 3469 Honolulu, HI 96801 (808)587-3295 http://hawaii.gov/dcca/pvl/boards/medical/

Maryland 4201 Patterson Ave. Baltimore, MD 21215 (410)764-4777 http://www.mbp.state.md.us/

Idaho Idaho Board of Medicine P.O. Box 83720 Boise, Idaho 83720 (208)327-7000 http://bit.ly/orPmFU

Massachusetts 200 Harvard Mill Sq., Suite 330 Wakefield, MA 01880 (781)876-8200 http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/borim/

Illinois 320 West Washington St. Springfield, IL 62786 (217)785 -0820 http://www.idfpr.com/

Michigan Bureau of Health Professions P.O. Box 30670 Lansing, MI 48909 (517)335-0918 http://michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-15472600_72603_27529_27541-58914--,00. html

Indiana 402 W. Washington St. #W072 Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317)233-0800 http://www.in.gov/pla/ Iowa 400 SW 8th St., Suite C Des Moines, IA 50309 (515)281-6641 http://medicalboard.iowa.gov/ Kansas 800 SW Jackson, Lower Level, Suite A Topeka, KS 66612 (785)296-7413 http://www.ksbha.org/ Kentucky 310 Whittington Pkwy., Suite 1B Louisville, KY 40222 (502)429-7150 http://kbml.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx

Minnesota University Park Plaza 2829 University Ave. SE, Suite 500 Minneapolis, MN 55414 (612)617-2130 http://bit.ly/pAFXGq Mississippi 1867 Crane Ridge Drive, Suite 200-B Jackson, MS 39216 (601)987-3079 http://www.msbml.state.ms.us/ Missouri Missouri Division of Professional Registration 3605 Missouri Blvd. P.O. Box 1335 Jefferson City, MO 65102 (573)751-0293 http://pr.mo.gov/healingarts.asp

Montana 301 S. Park Ave. #430 Helena, MT 59601 (406)841-2300 http://bsd.dli.mt.gov/license/bsd_ boards/med_board/board_page.asp Nebraska Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services P.O. Box 95026 Lincoln, NE 68509 (402)471-3121 https://www.nebraska.gov/LISSearch/ search.cgi Nevada Board of Medical Examiners P.O. Box 7238 Reno, NV 89510 (775)688-2559 http://www.medboard.nv.gov/ New Hampshire New Hampshire State Board of Medicine 2 Industrial Park Dr. #8 Concord, NH 03301 (603)271-1203 http://www.nh.gov/medicine/ New Jersey P. O. Box 360 Trenton, NJ 08625 (609)292-7837 http://www.medlicense.com/new-jerseymedical-license.html New Mexico 2055 S. Pacheco St. Building 400 Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505)476-7220 http://www.nmmb.state.nm.us/ New York Office of the Professions State Education Building, 2nd Floor Albany, NY 12234 (518)474-3817 http://www.op.nysed.gov/ North Carolina P.O. Box 20007 Raleigh, NC 27619 (919)326-1100 http://www.ncmedboard.org/

North Dakota 418 E. Broadway Ave., Suite 12 Bismarck, ND 58501 (701)328-6500 https://www.ndbom.org/

Texas P.O. Box 2018 Austin, TX 78768 (512)305-7010 http://www.tmb.state.tx.us/

Ohio 30 E. Broad St., 3rd Floor Columbus, OH 43215 (614)466-3934 http://med.ohio.gov/

Utah P.O. Box 146741 Salt Lake City, UT 84114 (801)530-6628 http://www.dopl.utah.gov/licensing/physician_surgeon.html

Oklahoma P.O. Box 18256 Oklahoma City, OK 73154 (405)962-1400 http://www.okmedicalboard.org/ Oregon 1500 SW 1st Ave., Suite 620 Portland, OR 97201 (971)673-2700 http://www.oregon.gov/OMB/ Pennsylvania P.O. Box 2649 Harrisburg, PA 17105 (717)787-8503 http://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Medicine/ Pages/default.aspx#.Vbkgf_lPVYU Rhode Island 3 Capitol Hill Providence, RI 02908 (401)222-5960 http://1.usa.gov/xgocXV South Carolina P.O. Box 11289 Columbia, SC 29211 (803)896-4500 http://www.llr.state.sc.us/pol/medical/ South Dakota 101 N. Main Ave. Suite 301 Sioux Falls, SD 57104 (605)367-7781 http://www.sdbmoe.gov/ Tennessee 425 5th Ave. North Cordell Hull Bldg. 3rd Floor Nashville, TN 37243 (615)741-3111 http://tn.gov/health

Vermont P.O. Box 70 Burlington, VT 05402 (802)657-4220 http://1.usa.gov/wMdnxh Virginia Virginia Dept. of Health Professions Perimeter Center 9960 Maryland Dr., Suite 300 Henrico, VA 23233 (804)367-4400 http://1.usa.gov/xjfJXK Washington Public Health Systems Development Washington State Department of Health 101 Israel Rd. SE, MS 47890 Tumwater, WA 98501 (360)236-4085 http://www.medlicense.com/washingtonmedicallicense.html West Virginia 101 Dee Dr., Suite 103 Charleston, WV 25311 (304)558-2921 http://www.wvbom.wv.gov/ Wisconsin P.O. Box 8935 Madison, WI 53708 (877)617-1565 http://dsps.wi.gov/Boards-Councils/ Board-Pages/Medical-Examining-BoardMain-Page/ Wyoming 320 W. 25th St., Suite 200 Cheyenne, WY 82002 (307)778-7053

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features

Increase Patient Satisfaction by Renovating and Reimagining Your Reception Area

By Naren Arulrajah Ekwa Marketing

When designing a new office, renovating, or remodeling, you have an exciting opportunity to create a patient-friendly, efficient workspace. While the treatment rooms are important, the reception area may have an even greater impact on the patientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience. It is the first thing patients see upon walking through the door, and it is where they will form an opinion of your practice. Patient satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) begins long before any treatment occurs. After spending 20 minutes in an uncomfortable chair, located in a 20

| DECEMBER 2017

crowded and dreary room, they are displeased before they ever see you. Alternately, they can form a positive opinion of your practice after spending the same length of time in comfortable and welcoming surroundings with ample amenities. Create a patient friendly space To a great degree, the design of your reception is dictated by the amount of space available. The first consideration should be seating, which is the primary purpose of the room. Ideally, plan for enough to

accommodate your typical number of patients, with a few extra seats. Chairs in narrow rows or lining the walls create an industrial atmosphere, reminiscent of an airport. If the room is too crowded, patients are likely to feel claustrophobic and become irritable. It can also make navigation difficult for people using mobility aids, parents carrying small children, and the elderly. When planning the furniture layout, consider your target clientele. For example, parents favor couches or clusters of chairs, because it is easy to keep children

‘‘

“Research has shown that interior design has an impact on patients’ perceived quality of care. Strive for an aesthetically pleasing and distinctive design. Most importantly, it should reflect the personality of your practice, and set an appropriate mood.”

close. People with mobility problems often prefer benches, and benefit from having handrails nearby. Imagine your typical patient, and try to design a space that would be convenient for him or her. If you have more space than needed for seating, consider adding features to make your reception area more functional, patientfriendly, and distinctive. This may include: • Children’s play area – This is an excellent addition to a pediatric or family-friendly practice. Include plenty of toys

and games, but try to avoid noisy ones, especially if the space is inside your primary reception area. Ideally, it should be a separate room, unless you see children exclusively. Don’t forget one or more grownup size chairs, and a sign indicating that supervision is necessary. Some parent-pampering practices even provide massage chairs. • Work station – Does your practice cater to busy professionals? If so, they are probably checking emails while waiting to see you. Consider

adding a couple of desks or small tables in a quiet, well-lit corner of the reception area. Electrical outlets or charging hubs should be accessible. Patients will appreciate the convenience, and recognize that you value their time. • Patient intake area – A private or semi-private space, such as an alcove, will make patient check-in simpler and more discreet. This is especially beneficial for high-end cosmetic practices, where privacy may continued on page 22

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be a high priority with many patients. • Retail product display – This is commonly seen in dermatology offices, but it can be tailored to virtually any type of medical practice. Doctors might want to offer recommended supplements and healthy recipe books, while dentists could display a line of oral care products. • Aesthetic focal point – A large aquarium, fountain, or display of plants can add ambiance to your space, and help patients feel calmer. This is especially appropriate for holistic and natural-medicine focused practices. Art displays, statues, or architectural elements such as large pillars are also good choices. Interior design with a purpose In many medical offices, there is no planned design scheme. The carpet was purchased five years ago. A couple years later the wallpaper needed replacing, so the receptionist was instructed to just pick something. Now the office needs more seating, so the doctor is purchasing a few chairs that happen to be on sale. A haphazard collection of uncoordinated fabrics and furnishings speaks of carelessness, giving patients the impression that you are disinterested in their experience. It may be tempting to avoid the problem by choosing plain, industrial, or nondescript furnishings. However, the last thing you want is for your office to look just like every other medical or dental practice.

| DECEMBER 2017

Research has shown that interior design has an impact on patients’ perceived quality of care. Strive for an aesthetically pleasing and distinctive design. Most importantly, it should reflect the personality of your practice, and set an appropriate mood. Tips for decor • Choose a color theme that coordinates with your logo, which is typically displayed prominently. • Opt for timeless styles rather than trendy. Otherwise, your office will be outdated quickly or need frequent remodeling. • Choose high quality carpets, upholstery, and wallpaper. In a high-traffic setting, durability is a much better value than less expensive, flimsy materials. • Avoid textured surfaces, dryclean only linens, and other

hard to clean surfaces. • Use transparent panels to protect walls and countertops in areas most susceptible to wear, such as the check-in counter or kid’s area. • Keep your office brightly lit, preferably with natural light. • Display artwork or other decorative accents. If you are on a tight budget, reach out to the local art community. Artists often seek businesses to display their work. • Music is just as important to the atmosphere as visual elements are. Choose non-offensive, soothing sounds, free of advertisements. • Hire a professional to help. Even if you, or someone in your office, has an artistic eye, interior design can be more complex than you would

expect. Be sure to choose a designer who has specific experience working with medical or dental practices.  About the Author: Naren Arulrajah is President and CEO of Ekwa Marketing, a complete internet marketing company that focuses on SEO, social media, marketing education, and the online reputations of dentists and physicians. With a team of 180+ full time marketers, www.ekwa.com helps doctors who know where they want to go, get there by dominating their market and growing their business significantly year after year. If you have questions about marketing your practice online, call 855-598-3320 to speak one-on-one with Naren.

features

Smiling, Compassionate Staff Will Brighten Your Lobby by Denise Price Thomas

Healthcare facilities are filled with compassionate people. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important they make a good first impression with your patients. In addition to an aesthetically pleasing lobby, your staffsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; contagious smiles can brighten your waiting room. Smiles are free and no one is immune.

| DECEMBER 2017

“Mr. Price, front desk, Mr. Price!”, those words traveled loudly throughout the large, very cold and scary hospital lobby. There we were, in a place we had never been before. My daddy, a retired cost accountant, sitting beside his favorite “baby” daughter “ (me), a surgical practice administrator and my mother, waiting patiently and lovingly by his side. As daddy and I walked up to that desk, it felt as though we were about to face “The Wizard of Oz”, and I knew we “weren’t in Kansas anymore.” Almost shaking in my shoes, I was afraid for us to take the next step. His diagnosis, Multiple Myeloma, the reason we were sent to this unfamiliar place. We informed the person behind the desk, who appeared to be the bad witch, that he was indeed Mr. Price. “I need your wrist,” she said, while attaching a wristband, “You will not be called by your name. You see these last three digits, #325? They will call you by that instead. When they call that number, you will walk down that hallway and there will be someone there to get you. Any questions?” Oh no, we would certainly be afraid to ask questions. Daddy said, “No mam, but thank you.” I, on the other hand, wanted to climb over the desk and tell her who my daddy was. He is NOT #325 but a wonderful daddy, a terrific husband to my mother, the finest example of a human being each and every day of his life. He is my daddy! Respecting daddy’s wishes, I sat down beside him and we waited. I couldn’t help but wonder which character we may meet next on this uncertain pathway. Could it be… • The Scarecrow, who will not allow the brain to connect with it’s heart? • The Tin Man, who will be lacking a heart? • The Lion, who will hopefully have found the courage to have a heart? “Number 325”--oh no, here we go. His “number” was finally called. Now we were able to follow the yellow brick road and go behind the curtain. The person standing there to greet us was obviously “The GOOD Witch!” With a sincere smile on her face, her heart seemed filled with compassion as she began to hear daddy’s story. She listened as we explained his symptoms and it was obvious that she cared. We could tell through her eyes that she had a heart and a brain along with the courage to connect with her patients and family members. She kept the CARE in healthcare. We were so grateful. Even when the news is bad and the outcome unfortunate as it was with daddy, when we were surrounded by those who cared, those who held our hand, who listened and who understood our tears and even joined us through them, that was when we felt, “There’s no place like home.” No matter the location, it’s the way in which we were made to feel while we were around those caring people. We couldn’t measure the clinical expertise of each person that entered the room but what we could measure and still remember are those who held our hand; the ones that offered hugs and listened with a caring heart. With my 39 years experience in healthcare, I learned so much more about healthcare from the other side. I learned that the things that cost the least really mean the most and are remembered forever. While sitting in that lobby on that day, I promised daddy that I would do everything I could to make a positive difference so that people would better understand the feelings of the patients from the other side of healthcare. Every patient is someone’s family. When you find yourself there, it is very clear to see that compassion is the “number one” method of preferred treatment in healthcare and should always be the first ingredient.  MED MONTHLY MAGAZINE

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features

How to Design the Perfect Waiting Room By Vishal Gandhi, BSEE, MBA Founder and CEO, Clinicspectrum

| DECEMBER 2017

To be realistic, nobody appreciates waiting in the lobby for their doctor’s appointment. However, it’s something we all have to do now and then. Research found the normal time a person spends in a specialist’s waiting room is around 21 minutes. Therefore, as a medical or dental practice, it is critical to guarantee your patients feel appreciated and welcome while they are sitting in your waiting room. Your lobby should represent that you and your practice value them as patients and will make their stay in your lobby as comfortable and productive as possible.

Focus on Patient Flow When orchestrating your waiting room, you need to put thought into where your visitors will enter and exit, and ensure these areas are clearly marked. There is nothing more frustrating than appearing for an appointment and having no clue where to go. You need to ensure the patient traffic flows unreservedly around the front desk and doesn’t bottleneck. This will run smoother if you have different entrance and exit areas which will keep the movement moving in one direction.

Front Desk Your front desk is the focal point of your waiting area. It ought to be welcoming and clean. When patients arrive, be sure the desk is free of papers, boxes, and bundles. Keep in mind, your front desk should be big enough to conceal all the equipment needed for admittance and billing procedures including telephones, PCs, printers, and scanners. There should be plenty of room behind the counter for your staffs’ individual work spaces, including their personal items. For HIPAA and security reasons, the monitors need to be positioned away from the patients’ view to ensure classified information remains confidential. The physical design of your front desk should flow with the style of your waiting room. Regardless of what materials you are thinking about for your front counters, (wood, metal, granite, etc.) the most vital thing is to gauge everything and anticipate growth needs. It’s better to have too much space than to have too little! It’s the only way to ensure no future issues.

Seating Estimating the seating area and the number of seats needed is imperative to the success of your lobby. The designed space needs to look proficient and alluring while being comfortable to your patients. To estimate how much furniture you will require, consider the number of lobby seats that would be utilized by your patients at your busiest time of day and add about 50% more to accommodate companions they might bring with them. Keep in mind when you are measuring, to leave space for visitors to move around unreservedly and for an agreeable spacing between seats. Remember to allow clear passageways for wheelchairs to maneuver through your waiting area. Most doctors prefer chairs over sofas in their waiting area, because no one wants to sit next to a coughing, sneezing, or otherwise contagious stranger. Also, elderly and over-weight patients often have difficulty getting up from a sofa without the help of two sturdy arm rests. Consider clustering chairs to avoid lining up furniture around walls, but no more than five in a group. Create seating vignettes as you would in your living room. Planters can also be used to keep the air feeling fresh, and to create visual separations between furniture groupings. When picking what seating will work best in your lobby, there are several things to consider: • Is it comfortable? Uncomfortable seating can really make the waiting seem longer, so the best test is to try the furniture before you buy it. Would you be comfortable sitting in it for 20+ minutes? • Size matters. Consider the majority of your patients, their sizes, ages, and portability. This will determine your seating requirements to accommodate your patients. • What sort of upholstery will you require? Blended textures have a tendency to be sturdier than normal ones and function admirably in high usage areas. Additionally, the tighter the weave, the longer the texture will survive in your waiting room. Vinyl seating is another financially savvy choice and can be treated with a perma block which fights against germs, scraped area, and stains, and it’s easy to clean and sanitize. continued on page 28

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continued from page 27

• Cost and furniture availability. Lastly, after deciding on your furniture needs, the cost and when you need the furniture will be important factors to keep in mind. Make a point to leave a sufficient lead time on the off chance that you will be requiring to have your waiting room redesigned by a specific date, like an open house, for example. There is nothing more frustrating than waiting until the latest possible time to order and not having your new furniture for your big day.

Pick Colors Precisely The shades of color of the furniture you pick, and additionally the shades of your walls and dividers, can directly affect the way your patients feel. In the event that you are designing a specialist’s lobby, you might need to pick quieting or consoling hues; for example, green or blue with a touch of pink for empathy. Blue indicates genuineness, faithfulness, and security, while green is quieting. This is why, if color choices are to be made in the waiting room, picking a delicate bluegreen color scheme can help convey a peaceful setting to your patients. In other office lobbies, for example, in a salon, a pink shade may tell your customers they will be spoiled, while yellow and red may cause uneasiness and animosity. When picking colors, keep in mind you may need the shades to be reflected all through your office. On the off chance that you 28

| DECEMBER 2017

are uncertain about what colors will work best, try viewing color samples to perceive how they will look in your space and lighting.

A Dash of Style When you have chosen your furniture and color schemes, you need to select the style you’d like your lobby to convey to your patients. Pick elements individuals will remember after leaving your practice. For instance, set yourself apart by including nice paintings from local talented artists, an aquarium with extraordinary, colorful fish, or a flowing water sculpture. All these will allow your patients to unwind while waiting in your lobby for their appointment. Your waiting room is also an ideal place to display literature about your practice.

Set the Tone With Lighting Changing the lighting in your lobby can improve the solace of your patients and can set a specific frame of mind. Delicate, brilliant light creates a feeling of quiet and is great in a business office setting. Low, warm light, though, emanates an “enjoyable” quality and can add to the comfortable feeling of your waiting room. Artificial lighting can be harsh at times, so you might need to avoid bright light bulbs in your lobby. Natural light can make your space look bigger on the grounds that windows let in the beauty and spaciousness of the outdoors.

Innovation Just because your patients are in your waiting room, doesn’t mean their work stops. This is why you should consider making electrical outlets and charging stations effortlessly available, so they can charge and utilize mobile phones, tablets, and laptops while they are waiting. Free Wi-Fi should also be offered, and keep in mind to give the password. Also while they are waiting is the ideal time to advance your practice with the utilization of innovation. Use wall mounted monitors to show data about your identity or even give a virtual visit of the practice (especially for first time patients).

Your Work Isn’t Finished You may have set up the ideal waiting room, but that is not all you have to do to keep your patients content: • Make sure your receptionist smiles and is pleasant and helpful to all your patients (even on the worst of days). He or she is the main contact for your

practice and can set the tone for the whole visit. • Keep your waiting room clean, including the front counter. A jumbled lobby can give patients a negative image of your practice and for what’s to come during their appointment. • Make guests feel welcome by giving them a place to hang their jackets, spruce up, or even a place to get a drink of water or a cup of coffee. • Try your hardest to not keep your patients waiting. There will be times where this is quite unrealistic. However, make it the exception, not the rule.

Final Thoughts An ideal approach to knowing whether you’re waiting room is an extraordinary place for your patients is to place yourself in their shoes. Sit in your lobby and experience how it feels to you. Do you feel comfortable and welcomed? Have your staff do likewise and record any suggestions that are made. You even might consider surveying your patients to check whether they have recommendations. 

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Practices for Sale Medical Practices Pediatric Practice Near Raleigh, NC

Location: Minutes South of Raleigh, North Carolina List Price: $145,000 Gross Yearly Income: $350,000 Year Established: 1980(s) Average Patients per Day: 16-22 Total Exam Rooms: 5 Building Owned/Leased: Owned. Will sell or lease. Contact: Philip at 919-848-4202

Urology Practice near Lake Norman, NC Location: Minutes from Charlotte, NC List Price: $165,000 Gross Yearly Income: $275,000 Year Established: 1980 Average Patients per Day: 12 to 15 Building Owned/Leased: Leased Contact: Philip at 919-848-4202

Primary Care specializing in Women’s Practice Location: Morehead City, N.C. List Price: Just reduced to $20,000 or Best Offer Gross Yearly Income: $540,000 average for past 3 years Year Established: 2005 Average Patients per Day: 12 to 22 Building Owned/Leased: MD owned and can be leased or purchased Contact: Philip at 919-848-4202

Family Practice/Primary Care

Location: Hickory, North Carolina List Price: $425,000 Gross Yearly Income: $1,5000,000 Year Established: 2007 Average Patients Per Day: 24-35 Total Exam Rooms: 5 Building Owned/Leased: Lease or Purchase Contact: Philip at 919-848-4202

Med Spa

Location: Coastal North Carolina List Price: $550,000 Gross Yearly Income: $1,600,000.00 Year Established: 2005 Average Patients Per Day: 25 to 30 Total Exam Rooms: 4 Building Owned/Leased: Leased Contact: Philip at 919-848-4202

Mental Health,Neuropsychological and Psychological Location: Wilmington, NC List Price: $110,000 Gross Yearly Income: $144,000 Year Established: 2000 Average Patients Per Day: 8 Building Owned/Leased/Price: Owned Contact: Philip at 919-848-4202

Orthopedic Practice serving Eastern NC Location: Eastern NC List Price: $135,000 Equipment: Includes X-ray Total Exam Rooms: 3 Average Patients 10 to 15 Contact: Philip at 919-848-4202

Special Listings Offer We are offering our “For Sale By Owner” package at a special rate. With a 6 month agreement, you receive 3 months free.

Considering your practice options? Call us today. 30

| DECEMBER 2017

Our large database of MDs, NPs, PAs, and DDSs means that we will be able to find the perfect provider for your practiceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique needs.

At Physician Solutions, all assignments are important, all clients are valuable, and all candidates are treated with the respect they deserve. We listen carefully to your needs and look beyond the obvious to find innovative solutions. Find out why providers choose Physician Solutions. P.O. Box 98313, Raleigh, NC 27624 Scan this QR code with your smartphone to learn more.

phone: 919.845.0054 fax: 919.845.1947 e-mail: physiciansolutions@gmail.com www.physiciansolutions.com

VIRGINIA PEDIATRIC PRACTICE AVAILABLE -

Serving Alexandria, Annandale, Springfield, Newington, Franconia and surrounding areas Pediatric practice listed in a beautiful part of Virginia. Surrounded by medical providers and services; radiology, pharmacy, lab & dentist to name a few. Treating 14 to 16 patients on average daily and growing. The gross yearly revenue is $200,000 for this two year old practice and it is realizing steady growth and patient volume. This beautiful practice condo has 6 exam rooms, two doctor offices, a large procedure room, manager suite and lots of storage in this 3,245 sq. ft. practice. You will find this practice to be well designed, modern and tastefully appointed. The numbers: Practice Price is $125,000 and the building can be leased or purchased for $1,200,000. Contact Physician Solutions today at (919) 845-0054 to discuss this practice opportunity, confidentially of course.

MedicalPracticeListings.com | medlisting@gmail.com | 919-848-4202

MD STAFFING AGENCY FOR SALE IN NORTH CAROLINA The perfect opportunity for anyone who wants to purchase an established business.

l One

of the oldest Locums companies l Large client list l Dozens of MDs under contract l Executive office setting l Modern computers and equipment l Revenue over a million per year l Retiring owner

Please direct all correspondence to driverphilip@gmail.com. Only serious, qualified inquirers. 32

| DECEMBER 2017

Located on NCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beautiful Coast,

Morehead City

Primary Care Specializing in Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Practice established in 2005, averaging over $540,000 the past 3 years. Free standing practice building for sale or lease. This practice has 5 well equipped exam rooms and is offered for $20,000. 919.848.4202 medlisting@gmail.com medicalpracticelistings.com

PRIMARY CARE PRACTICE - Hickory, North Carolina This is an outstanding opportunity to acquire one of the most organized and profitable primary care practices in the area. Grossing a million and a half yearly, the principal physician enjoys ordinary practice income of over $300,000 annually. Hickory is located in the foot-hills of North Carolina and is surrounded by picturesque mountains, lakes, upscale shopping malls and the school systems are excellent. If you are looking for an established practice that runs like a well oiled machine, request more information. The free standing building that houses this practice is available to purchase or rent with an option. There are 4 exam rooms with a well appointed procedure room. The owning physician works 4 to 5 days per week and there is a full time physician assistant staffed as well. For the well qualified purchasing physician, the owner may consider some owner-financing. Call us today. List price: $425,000 | Year Established: 2007 | Gross Yearly Income: $1,500,000

MedicalPracticeListings.com | medlisting@gmail.com | 919-848-4202 MED MONTHLY MAGAZINE

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Pediatric Practice Available Near Raleigh, NC

We have several qualified MDs seeking established Urgent Care Practices in North Carolina.

Urgent Care Practices Wanted If you have an urgent care practice and would like to explore your selling options, please contact us. Your call will be handled confidentially and we always put together win-win solutions for the seller and buyer.

Pediatric practice located minutes south of Raleigh, North Carolina is now listed for sale. Located in an excellent area convenient to Raleigh, Cary, and Durham, it is surrounded by a strong health care community. This is a well established practice with a very solid patient base. The building is equipped with a private doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office, five exam rooms, and an in-house lab.

Call Medical Practice Listings today and ask for Philip Driver 919-848-4202.

Established: 1980s l Gross Yearly Income: $350,000 Average Patients per Day: 16 to 22 l List Price: $145,000

Call 919-848-4202 or e-mail medlistings@gmail.com www.medicalpracticelistings.com

PHYSICIANS NEEDED: Mental health facility in Eastern North Carolina seeks: PA/FT ongoing, start immediately Physician Assistant needed to work with physicians to provide primary care for resident patients. FT ongoing 8a-5p. Limited inpatient call is required. The position is responsible for performing history and physicals of patients on admission, annual physicals, dictate discharge summaries, sick call on unit assigned, suture minor lacerations, prescribe medications and order lab work. Works 8 hour shifts Monday through Friday with some extended work on rotating basis required. It is a 24 hour in-patient facility that serves adolescent, adult and geriatric patients. FT ongoing Medical Director, start immediately The Director of Medical Services is responsible for ensuring all patients receive quality medical care. The director supervises medical physicians and physician extenders. The Director of Medical Services also provides guidance to the following service areas: Dental Clinic, X-Ray Department, Laboratory Services, Infection Control, Speech/Language Services, Employee Health,

Pharmacy Department, Physical Therapy and Telemedicine. The Medical Director reports directly to the Clinical Director. The position will manage and participate in direct patient care as required; maintain and participate in an on-call schedule ensuring that a physician is always available to hospitalized patients; and maintain privileges of medical staff. Permanent Psychiatrist needed FT, start immediately An accredited State Psychiatric Hospital serving the eastern region of North Carolina, is recruiting for permanent full-time Psychiatrist. The 24 hour in-patient facility serves adolescent, adult and geriatric patients. The psychiatrist will serve as a team leader for multi-disciplinary team to ensure quality patient care/treatment. Responsibilities include:

evaluation of patient on admission and development of a comprehensive treatment plan, serve on medical staff committees, complete court papers, documentation of patient progress in medical record, education of patients/families, provision of educational groups for patients.

Send copies of your CV, NC medical license, DEA certificate and NPI certificate with number to Physician Solutions for immediate consideration. Physician Solutions, P.O. Box 98313, Raleigh, NC 27624 PH: (919) 845-0054 | email: physiciansolutions@gmail.com 34

| DECEMBER 2017

Modern Med Spa Available

Located in beautiful coastal North Carolina Modern, well-appointed med spa is available in the eastern part of the state. This Spa specializes in BOTOX, facial therapy and treatments, laser hair removal, eye lash extensions and body waxing as well as a menu of anti-aging options. This impressive practice is perfect as-is and can accommodate additional services like primary health or dermatology. The Gross revenue is over $1,500.000 with consistent high revenue numbers for the past several years. The average number of patients seen daily is between 26 and 32 with room for improvement. You will find this Med Spa to be in a highly visible location with upscale amenities. The building is leased and the lease can be assigned or restructured. Highly profitable and organized, this spa is POISED FOR SUCCESS. 919.848.4202 medlisting@gmail.com medicalpracticelistings.com

Urgent Care serving the South Raleigh and Garner, NC area

Orthopedic Practice serving Eastern NC, minutes from the Atlantic Ocean

Established practice averaging 25 to 30 patients per day, year round. Open 7 days a week with two providers and established staff members. 4 exam rooms, 1 procedure room and 1 lab-phlebotomy room. This is a very well laid out and attractive practice in a heavily traveled area with excellent parking. Gross revenues of about one million per year and positioned for continued growth. Priced at $200,000. Orthopedic practice for sale on the coast of North Carolina, established with a solid patient base. The demographics for this practice are excellent and the location impressive. This newly listed practice is fully furnished, staffed and ready for a fresh face to see orthopedic patients in this beautiful part of North Carolina. The ingredients for success have been established and the owning doctor is willing to stay with you for a reasonable time to assure a smooth transfer of care. This is the perfect practice to add on to your existing practice as a satellite or to make it your main orthopedic practice. Includes X-Ray, 3 exam rooms and could be easily converted into an urgent care. Average Orthopedic Patients per Day: 10 to 15

Medical Practice Listings Call 919-848-4202 or e-mail medlistings@gmail.com www.medicalpracticelistings.com

List Price: $135,000

Contact Philip or Danielle at 919-848-4202 or email medlistings@gmail.com MED MONTHLY MAGAZINE

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Gastroenterology Practice for Sale Serving Eastern North Carolina, this practice was established in the early 90’s and specializes in the treating of gastrointestinal diseases and disorders such as Heartburn & Reflux, Crohn’s Disease, Gallstones, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, to name a few. This sophisticated practice offers the latest treatments the most comprehensive patient care to include Capsule Endoscopy and PEG replacements. Some of the procedures that are currently performed are;  Barrx Halo Ablation  Colonoscopy  Flexible Sigmoidoscopy  Upper GI Endoscopy The current owning doctor has been dedicated to the area for several years and has developed a strong patient base. Considering other professional options, this seller has positioned this well appointed practice for a successful smooth transaction. You could certainly treat the current patient while adding new ones with predictable outcomes. Physician Solutions is currently valuing the practice. Call us for pricing and details or view MedicalPracticeListings.com for up-todate information.

MedicalPracticeListings.com | medlisting@gmail.com | 919-848-4202

NC MedSpa For Sale MedSpa Located in North Carolina We have recently listed a MedSpa in NC This established practice has staff MDs, PAs and nurses to assist patients. Some of the procedures performed include: Botox, Dysport, Restylane, Perian, Juvederm, Radiesse, IPL Photoreju Venation, fractional laser resurfacing as well as customized facials. There are too many procedures to mention in this very upscale practice. The qualified buyer will be impressed with the $900,000 gross revenue. This is a new listing, and we are in the valuation process. Contact Medical Practice Listings today to discuss the practice details.

For more information call Medical Practice Listings at 919-848-4202 or e-mail medlistings@gmail.com

www.medicalpracticelistings.com 36

| DECEMBER 2017

PSYCHIATRIST PRACTICE LOCATED IN JACKSONVILLE, FL Established with a solid patient base, this well appointed practice also has a Psychologist in house. The psychiatrist is willing to stay and practice for a month or so assuring a nice patient transition. The city of Jacksonville is underserved by psychiatrist as most patients wait 4 to 5 months to secure an appointment. Treating over a dozen patients per day year round, you can step into this practice with the assurance knowing you will have a solid income and positioning for success. The established doctor is looking to retire but very willing to assure the buyer is comfortable moving forward. Asking $135,000 fully furnished.

Contact Philip or Danielle at 919-848-4202 or email medlistings@gmail.com

Practice for Sale in Raleigh, NC

MODERN

Urgent Care

Primary care practice specializing in women’s care Raleigh, North Carolina The owning physician is willing to continue with the practice for a reasonable time to assist with smooth ownership transfer. The patient load is 35 to 40 patients per day, however, that could double with a second provider. Exceptional cash flow and profit will surprise even the most optimistic practice seeker. This is a remarkable opportunity to purchase a well-established woman’s practice. Spacious practice with several well-appointed exam rooms and beautifully decorated throughout. New computers and medical management software add to this modern front desk environment. List price: $435,000

Call Medical Practice Listings at (919) 848-4202 for details and to view our other listings visit www.medicalpracticelistings.com

Serving Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay Varina, Brier Creek and South Point Mall areas. This is certainly one of the most consistently utilized practices serving a large demographic area. 6 exam or procedure rooms, 1 X-Ray in a well appointed and nicely designed practice. Averaging 28 to 30 patients per day, year round and open 365 days per year. The staff includes two providers and full experienced staff to include X-Ray personal. The gross revenues of this practice exceeds one million two hundred thousand yearly. Priced at $260,000.

Call 919-848-4202 or e-mail medlistings@gmail.com www.medicalpracticelistings.com

PEDIATRIC PRACTICE WANTED

Areas of Consideration; Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill, Holy Springs, Apex, Morrisville, Pittsboro and Fuquay Varina

Physician Solutions is working with a well qualified Pediatrician to find a Pediatric Practice to purchase. If you would like to discuss your practice options, confidentially of course, contact me. The doctor we are working with is looking to purchase a practice within the next few months. If you have a friend or colleague that has mentioned selling their Pediatric practice, I would appreciate your referral.

Contact Philip Driver at 919-845-0054 or email physiciansolutions@gmail.com MED MONTHLY MAGAZINE

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Internal Medicine Practice for Sale Located in the heart of the medical community in Cary, North Carolina, this Internal Medicine practice is accepting most private and government insurance payments. The average patients per day is 20-25+, and the gross yearly income is $555,000. Listing Price: $430,000

Call 919-848-4202 or e-mail medlistings@gmail.com www.medicalpracticelistings.com

Primary Care Practice For Sale in Wilmington, NC

CALLING ALL WRITERS

Established primary care on the coast of North Carolina’s beautiful beaches. Fully staffed with MD’s and PA’s to treat both appointment and walk-in patients. Excellent exam room layout, equipment and visibility. Contact Medical Practice Listings for more information.

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To become a contributing writer in Med Monthly magazine, please contact us at medmedia9@gmail.com

Editorial Calendar: January - Health Care Reform’s Impact on Your Practice February - Your Dental Practice 38

| DECEMBER 2017

Medical Practice Listings

919.848.4202 | medlistings@gmail.com www.medicalpracticelistings.com

Eastern North Carolina Family Practice Available Well-appointed Eastern North Carolina Family Practice established in 2000 is for sale in Williamston, NC. This organized practice boasts a wide array of diagnostic equipment including a GE DEXA scanner with a new tube, GE case 8000 stress testing treadmill and controller and back up treadmill, Autoclave and full set of operating equipment, EKG-Ez EKG and much more. The average number of patients seen daily is between 12 to 22. The building is owned by MD and can be purchased or leased. The owning physician is relocating and will assist as needed during the transition period. The gross receipts for the past three years average $650,000 and the list price was just reduced to $185,000. If you are looking to purchase a well equipped primary care practice, please contact us today. 919-848-4202 medlisting@gmail.com medicalpracticelistings.com

Urology Practice minutes from Lake Norman, North Carolina

Pediatrics Practice Wanted Pediatrics Practice Wanted in NC

Urology Practice minutes from Lake Norman is now listed for sale. This excellent located practice is convenient to Charlotte, Gastonia, Lincolnton and Hickory. With a solid patient base, procedures currently include; Adult & Pediatric Urology, Kidney Stones, Bladder Problems, Incontinence, Prostate Issues, Urinary Tract Infections, Wetting Problems, Erectile Dysfunction and related issues. Three exam rooms with two electronic tables and one flat exam table. Established: 1980 l Gross Yearly Income: $275,000 Average Patients per Day: 12 to 15 l List Price: $165,000

Contact Philip or Danielle at 919-848-4202 or email medlistings@gmail.com

Considering your options regarding your pediatric practice? We can help. Medical Practice Listings has a well qualified buyer for a pediatric practice anywhere in central North Carolina. Contact us today to discuss your options confidentially.

Medical Practice Listings Call 919-848-4202 or e-mail medlistings@gmail.com www.medicalpracticelistings.com MED MONTHLY MAGAZINE

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Physician Solutions, Inc. Medical & Dental Staffing Physician Solutions is now hiring doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners in North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. We can help match you with medical opportunities that fit your professional and personal goals. Ongoing and intermittent shifts are available, as well as permanent placement.

Physician Solutions, Inc. P.O. Box 98313 Raleigh, NC 27624 phone: 919-845-0054 fax: 919-845-1947 www.physiciansolutions.com physiciansolutions@gmail.com

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