Fix Patient Flow with Principles of Industrial Engineering

“Here’s a typical day at many …[practices or optical shops for that matter, the bosses, doctors, or  you]  consider how to bring in more patients because the insurers are squeezing prices and competitors are ramping up advertising. …[ECPs] rush …seemingly without enough hours in their day. Meanwhile, patients sit in the waiting room, growing frustrated (and those calling the hospital sit on hold), even as exam rooms are empty and multimillion-dollar equipment sits idle. What’s going on here?” That’s the question asked by strategy + business. Here’s its answer: Apply four specific of industrial engineering. It’s written for hospitals, but the article’s principles could apply to any optical shop or optical practice. Read more.

Do Your Patients Behave as Nicely as This Guerilla

"Lying flat on his oversize silver back near the exhibit glass at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Gino gazed far into the distance, well beyond the curious gawkers," goes a NYTimes post. "Yes, his eyes seemed to say, I am fabulous and mighty and infinitely photogenic so snap away at my 385-pound, muscle-bound physique. Soon, though, he grew weary of the paparazzi. Garbo-like, he lifted his massive gorilla arm and rested it lightly over his face. No more, please." Read more about how Disney trained Gino to be a polite patient.

Opthalmologist Convicted of Fraud and False Claims

Philly.com reported "a federal jury this afternoon convicted the former chairman of Temple University School of Medicine's ophthalmology department of 150 counts of health care and wire fraud and making false statements in health care matters. Joseph J. Kubacki, 62, a pediatric eye specialist now living in Destin, Fla., was accused of falsely claiming between 2002 and 2007 to have provided more than $1.5 million in services to patients at a clinic run by the ophthalmology department." Read more.

Memphia-Area OD in Trouble for Flying the American Flag

"In late July, an eye doctor [optometrist] in Germantown decided to show her American spirit by installing a 20- foot flagpole outside her leased office and flying the U.S. flag," says a post on CommercialAppeal."'I think I should have the freedom to fly the flag,' Dr. Dawn Kamin said Wednesday. 'This is America.' But she said the property management company is telling her she has until Monday to take the flag down outside Affordable Eye Care of Germantown at 2205 West Street in Corporate Centre." Read more.

Health of Health Industry in Question

During this recession, the health industry--unlike all others--has grown significantly as well as creating new job opportunities. Between cuts in federal medical insurance and the gyrations of Wall Street, its future is being questioned. "While few experts can predict how the stock market’s gyrations and government cutbacks this month will affect the health industry, several health industry analysts warn that the sector is showing signs of economic sluggishness that has long kept other business sectors beleaguered," reports the NYTimes. Read more.

Rodenstock Group Look Increases Customer Expenditure

"The Letchworth branch of Allders Opticians has become the first of the group’s practices to receive a revamp based on the ‘Rodenstock Concept Shop’, which is proven to boost turnover," says a post on Optometry.co.uk. "The new-look Letchworth practice aims to enhance the customer experience to secure loyalty and increase the amount a customer spends. The new layout lends itself to the display of Rodenstock frames and lenses, as well as brands such as Porsche Design and Wimbledon. Practices which are part of the Rodenstock Group that have already been revamped to the ‘Concept’ have reported a 25% growth in the first year and increased sales from premium ranges." Read more.

Practice Creates Webinar for Patients

"A new episode of VSP Vision Care’s EyeFiles Webisode series highlights ways to protect children from computer vision syndrome (CVS) and offers tips on how to combat digital eyestrain," reports ModernMedicine. "The new Webisode can be viewed on the EyeFiles tab on the VSP Facebook page at www.facebook.com/VSPVisionCare." Read more.

OD May Have Violated MN Law

"A St. Paul man is upset because his optometrist refused to approve a recent request for contact lenses. The doctor’s excuse: The patient hadn’t been examined in 18 months, and his prescription was good for only one year." That's the start  of a post in the Star-Tribune. "Under state law, any contact lens prescriptions 'must expire two years after it is written, unless a different expiration date is warranted by the patient’s ocular health.' Under the law, doctors must provide reasons for providing anything less than a two-year prescription during the exam. Our reader said his doctor failed to explain the one-year prescription. Have you received a contact lens prescription good for less than two years?" Read more.

MDs Say Kentucky Law Puts Patients at Risk

According to a press release from the Kentucky Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, the proposed regulations for a new state law which allows optometrists to perform a broad range of surgical procedures on the eye, fail to properly define the education, training and oversight necessary for this new scope of work that is typically performed by medical board-certified physicians. These supposed failures put Kentucky patients at risk. The Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners held a public hearing to receive comments on the new regulations a few days ago. "On nearly every level, these regulations fail to ensure that Kentuckians will receive the highest standard of eye care," said Woody Van Meter, president, Kentucky Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons.Read more.