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.

VSP Optical App Speds Up Dispensing and Ordering for VSP Patients

VSP Optics Group introduced otto (one touch to optical), an for the second and third-generation Apple iPad that reportedly helps eyecare professionals (ECPs) simplify measuring and dispensing advanced digital lenses, and brings eyewear consulting, and electronic claim filing through the following modules:

• Patient Check-in and Care: Patients can use otto to fill out patient forms, answer questionnaires, authorize privacy policies, and provide insurance information. otto also allows ECPs to check eligibility and obtain VSP patient authorization and explanation of benefits. When orders are placed, it estimates patient out-of-pocket costs. ECPs can also check the status of lab orders and notify patients via text or e-mail when their eyewear is complete and ready for pick-up.

• ‘otto-mated’ Measurements: Take photos of your patients with the iPad and otto calculates measurements like pupil distance and segment height. With the ottobox plug-in attached to the iPad, ECPs can take photos of the patient wearing their selected frame, and with the swipe of a finger, otto automatically calculates measurements like pantoscopic tilt and back vertex distance to simplify dispensing today's most advanced digital lenses.

• Vision Screening: Prior to the eye exam, patients can use otto to complete a variety of tests in order to detect changes in their vision.

• Frame Styling: Use otto to access Marchon and Altair frame catalogs or the Frames Data. Patients can also transmit photos of themselves wearing different frames to friends or family in order to get opinions on their choices using Facebook, Twitter or email.

• Patient Consultation: Demonstrate the benefits of lens options like anti-reflective and scratch coatings, photochromic and tinted lenses, polarized sunwear.

• Product Selection: Process orders for ophthalmic eyewear, sunwear, and contact lens orders. Use otto to educate patients on the advantages of multiple pairs of eyewear and of custom packages tailored by the practice. Orders ared confirmed and can be sent to the lab for processing.

VSP Optics Group also has co-developed otto’s digital lens fitting and dispensing technology with PFO Global.