If there is one thing, I have learned working in O&P for a couple of decades, it is that change is hard.  As the great philosopher, Bob Dylan said, “times, they are a changin’!” Everywhere you look we are forced to do more with less.  The healthcare environment is no exception to that.  Don’t fret!  We have been researching responses and we know how to deal with these challenges.  Will you try? 

To be successful, no matter how you measure success, today’s O&P facility must incorporate efficient processes; timely, appropriate patient care; and financial health. Balancing these seemingly competing aspects can feel like trying to master a three-ring circus. Enter GEMBA walks, weekly Work in Progress (WIP) reviews, and now the game changing WIP: Aim dashboard. Together, these tools offer a trifecta for effective O&P practice management. 

Remember that GEMBA walks involve a deep dive into your facility, observing processes, and identifying pain points. It gives you a tangible feel of where operational gaps might be hiding. Please see my blog for more.  And remember too, that the weekly WIP meetings allow us to discuss those observations, strategize, and pre-plan for upcoming patient appointments. It's our blueprint to ensure the week ahead goes smoothly and that every patient encounter becomes a significant step forward in their health goals. 

Now, imagine visualizing the process.  All those steps and milestones are displayed graphically in an intuitive dashboard. But this dashboard isn't just about numbers—it's your strategic weapon. Offering near real-time counts of active prescriptions, patients, and billing claims, it provides an at-a-glance view of the accrued material costs, anticipated revenue based on patient's insurance fee schedules, where each patient is in the process, what is missing from a clean claim, and so much more. 

The dashboard really shines for administrators: you can filter this data by various factors like location, care provider, type of service (Orthotic or Prosthetic), and even group your patients according to the steps performed and documented. In the three-ring circus that can be your week, the WIP: Aim dashboard is your ringmaster.  It helps you focus on the next big thing.  If you've got patients due for delivery, a quick glance ensures that their charts are up-to-date or alerts you to items that need attention before their appointment. It’s proactive patient care at its best! 

If you are using the Code Selection tools correctly in OPIE, the WIP: Aim $ will provide a clear picture of anticipated weekly revenue and help you identify potential deliveries that can help you attain your financial goals. Further, this dashboard empowers you to tweak your schedules, ensuring you’re not leaving any revenue on the table. 

All these tools synergize to address a critical business function: ensuring a steady billing rate to meet your company's budget and cash flow needs. By proactively managing patient flow and having real-time insights into potential revenue, you can make informed decisions that align with your financial goals. 

Incorporating the WIP: Aim dashboard into your GEMBA-inspired WIP meetings isn't just an upgrade; it's a transformation. It streamlines operations, enhances patient care, and keeps the financial pulse of your practice in check. So, as we chart our path forward in the dynamic world of healthcare, let’s leverage every tool at our disposal to provide exceptional care and keep our practices thriving.