Category: Meeting Notes

Dr. C:  This meeting is of some urgency. Will welcome your questions & comments.

Entering a stressful time of year. Not the only practice going through this – staff shortages, job switching, etc. We are a private practice not corporate.

I hear & Amy hears this and we understand what you’re going through.

Private equity practices – buy practices to make profit then sell.

If not feeling well stay home but please try to come in if possible.

Plans:

1. More staff, if you refer a friend who works for a month you will get $300.
2. New hires will get a raise at 3 months.
3. New hires will get initial training to work up patients and trained over longer period of time.
4. Back office will help with check in & check out.
5. Jessica will help techs in the back.
6. Alex will help Dr. C with scribing.
7. Nadia will help out front desk.
8. Cut back on screening protocol – no temperature check or health questions. Just ask if they have had or been exposed to COVID.
9. Come February all staff will be provided $300 hazard bonus to recognize what you’re going though and significant raise.
10. Docs cut back on testing when necessary.
11. Adjusting schedule so staff can get out on time for lunch/end of day.

Personally want you all to know we understand and will do all we can to reduce stress. Appreciate all your hard work – just hang in there with me!

Staff/Doc input:

Michele – What about an HR person to handle employee issues? Will address after 1^st of year.

Dr. DC – Cancelled stuff because of COVID, family feel has gone to background, not much  interaction as there was pre-COVID. Hopefully will get this back soon.

Alex – Think about Christmas Eve off? Docs are scheduled for that ½ day.

Amy – Thanksgiving Feast will be on Nov. 16^th.

Dr. Floyd – Nice working with you all and for a private practice.

Dr. C:  Amy is in PA, Alex will preside. Welcome Anna & Autumn (techs).

Very shorthanded, very busy. Stressful time. Booking into December now. Schedulers put follow-ups that can wait until after New Year.

Patients complain about wait time – our most complaint. Try to save time at front desk, pods, etc. Get patients back quickly and into rooms.

Docs needing testing, put off some if you can.

Docs not getting diabetic letters back. Simple letter. Need to document complete eye exam.

New audit info from Medicare for cataract surgery. Adequate documentation, chief complaint impairment of visual function. Best acquity refraction. Statement that removal of cataract will improve vision, reasons why, risks/benefits discussed. Order for IOL master with which eye and interpretation. Will go over with technicians.

Sharing rooms when more than 4 docs are working. In Pod 2, Pod 1 needs to keep 1 room open. In Pod 3, Pod 4 needs to keep 1 room open. Contacts have no dedicated room so accommodate them when necessary.

Missing loose lenses in trays in rooms, put back in their place when you take.

Hannah has left. Beth is now Director of Training & Education. Revamping training program. Better training for all techs with continuing education. She will ask departments to help in training if it pertains to them.

Payouts:   Dr. C (Lasik) – Michaela, Ale’, Brandi/Stacy, Karen; Dr. DC (Bleph) – Erin; Dr. Tyler (Bleph) – Kimberly, Karen

Surgery:  very busy, help with testing when possible.

Oculo:  increase in adding lowers with special. Continuing special thru November.

Lasik:  $1000 off special thru end of year. Marketing will change in November. New docs & staff come to Lasik department to go over talking with patient.

Optical:  Lots of patients coming in to order. Cynthia is now on the floor selling & translating for Spanish patients.

Contacts:  All good, no problems. Have room available for us when needed.

Dry Eye:  New patient, no eye drops 2 hours prior to evaluation. Send patients to Heather or  Erin. Nine LipiFlows done last month. Improves tear quality if treated early.

Retina:  Thank you to scribes and Haley for helping. Referrals get Daisy or Brynna.

Dr. Thornhill:   Put trial lenses back where they go. Will call patient with MRI results – do not make appointment.