The Podiatric Practice Manual. A Guide to Running an Effective Practice

Description

A complete and fully customizable manual is available to the practicing physician to assist with day-to-day operations. The Manual places an emphasis on improving and aiding the medical and business aspects of running an efficient and successful medical practice. An accompanying CD allows the podiatric physician and staff to customize a wide assortment of template forms, from memos for office procedures, employee job descriptions, forms for new employees to sign, and patient consent forms, to creating your own, personalized office employee handbook. This is truly a tool your office cannot do without.

Covers the following topics:

• Clinical Care. The Manual's first section deals specifically with clinically related procedures such as treatment algorithms, appropriate X-ray positioning, general clinical care policies and procedures, proper documentation techniques, and caring for, ordering and dispensing medical instruments, equipment and supplies. The section concludes with a collection of essential clinical care forms and patient education materials needed for everyday operations.
• Patient Relations. The second section discusses how the podiatric physician's office should manage patient appointment scheduling, insurance, new patient processing, missed appointments, and patient care outside the office. The forms provided at the end of this section will help you and your staff communicate effectively with your patients and provide staff with essential information for dealing with patient-related situations.
• Office Administration.The objectives of this section include identifying the specific job responsibilities for each of the office personnel, identifying office policies such as responding to telephone calls, delays in the waiting room, and cleanliness, as well as discussing financial polices such as budgeting, accounts payable, collection policies, coding and fee schedules, and insurance and Medicare billing. Conventional administrative forms follow this section's discussions.
• Personnel Policies.The Manual's fourth section contains the office staff policy guidelines, from compensation and benefits to behavioral expectations. A well thought-out personnel policy section is essential so that your employees know what is expected from them as members of your team. Key forms such as an appropriate employee warning notice and an example of a performance review are among the forms provided in this section.
• Appendices. Appendix A, Model Plans and Programs for the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens and Hazard Communications Standards is a public domain resource reproduced in this publication as a reference tool. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires all medical offices to have an Exposure Control Plan. This plan is designed to minimize exposure to bloodborne pathogens or other infectious material.

Table of Contents

SECTION I: CLINICAL CARE
I-1 A. Treatment Algorithms
I-10 B. X-ray Positioning
I-15 C. General Clinical Care Policies and Procedures
I-17 D. Documentation
I-22 E. Medical Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies
I-49 F. Clinical Care Forms<

SECTION II: PATIENT RELATIONS
II-1 A. Scheduling
II-2 B. Recalls
II-4 C. Insurance
II-5 D. New Patient Processing
II-5 E. No Shows
II-6 F. Patient Care Outside the Practice
II-7 G. Prescription Refills
II-7 H. Resolving Complaints from Medicare Beneficiaries
II-9 I. Patient Relations Forms<

SECTION III: OFFICE ADMINISTRATION
III-1 A. Job Responsibilities
III-7 B. Office Management Policies
III-19 C. Financial Policies
III-33 D. Administrative Forms

SECTION IV PERSONNEL POLICIES
IV-1 A. Employee Break Periods
IV-1 B. Educational Seminar/Travel Expense
IV-2 C. Compensation and Benefits
IV-3 D. Time Away from Work

SECTION V: APPENDICES
V-1 Appendix A: Model Plans and Programs for the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens and Hazard Communications Standards
V-35 Appendix B: Medical Malpractice
V-36 “How to Avoid Patient Law Suits”
V-40 “Reducing Malpractice Risks in the Podiatric Office”
V-51 Appendix C: Online Resources
V-53 Appendix D: CMS Exceptions for Routine Foot Care
V-63 Appendix E: Medicare Updates and Information Bulletins

Authors

Dr. Joseph Borreggine, is a podiatric physician and past President of the Illinois Podiatric Medical Association (IPMA) (2009-2010) and has been practicing in East Central Illinois for over two decades. With his years of knowledge and experience, Dr. Borreggine is able to diagnosis and treat any foot or ankle problem.
He is well-known member not only of his profession through his extensive involvement, but also in the communities that he practices. Dr. Borreggine has written numerous foot care articles for a number of local publications, appeared as a guest on area television stations as a foot health expert, and has spoken and volunteered a number times providing foot screenings at community health care events.

Dr. Borreggine is duly trained in forefoot and ankle surgery and has a sub-specialty and interest in sports medicine, diabetic foot/wound care management, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). With his recent certification to provide testing for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) for the lower extremity with specialized testing equipment known as PADnet, he is able to provide early detection of poor circulation in the legs and feet.

Dr. Borreggine is a member of the Illinois and American Podiatric Medical Associations (IPMA and APMA), a Diplomate of The American Board of Podiatric Surgery, a Fellow of The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and American Society of Podiatric Surgeons, and an Affiliate Member the PAD Coalition. He is a 10-year union member, Local #45, Office of Professional International Union (OPEIU) and also served as a member of the American Diabetes Association and American Disability Analysts Association.