SOE explains how it can help your practice run efficiently and smoothly as NHS targets and footfall within practices increase.
With an increasing number of Covid-19 related cancellations and staff shortages, the overarching priority for your practice at this time, regardless of your region, should lie with increased efficiency.
Achieving this will mean you protect your staff and patients from the risk of infection. And it will help optimise your workflow to meet demand and any new/potential practice targets.
This is now particularly relevant when considering the latest NHS England reform that states: ‘NHS practices will be obliged to meet 85% of their pre-Covid activity levels from the 1 January 2022’.
Here’s just three simple steps you should implement whilst setting out to hit those all-important practice targets.
Instil confidence with a strong communication strategy
Make sure your patients are aware of safety measures with message automation tools such as Campaign+.
Keeping your customers in the loop not only enhances patient experience but will give them the reassurance they need to book and attend their next appointment.
Automating this process with your practice management software will allow you to push targeted communication through SMS and email. It can also eliminate any unnecessary time spent on admin. Instead it will free up your phone lines to receive inbound calls with any urgent queries. Something that is on the rise during the current climate.
Whilst increased patient retention and loyalty goes hand in hand with consistent communication, it’s important to not forget the impact that recalls and reminders have on this also.
Automated reminders/recalls could prompt your patients to complete that treatment plan they have started. Or, if it’s been a while, to choose you over a potential competitor.
As an additional benefit, you can feel confident that following a reminder if a patient needs to make an amendment to an existing booking, you will be made aware of this in enough time to fill the gap appropriately and continue delivering dental excellence to those in need.
Manage your NHS contracts with Software of Excellence’s Predictive UDA Manager
With NHS targets at the forefront of our minds once again, it’s important to review your current performance to understand what’s possible.
Exact’s Predictive UDA Manager makes this process quick and easy. It compiles all key KPIs in one user-friendly graph. This cuts down on the excessive time that you might previously spend on sifting through data and managing contracts.
Instead it allows you to quickly identify any actions that need implementing to stay on track for the entire contract term.
Having access to this data at glance makes reporting, tracking and optimising performance easier than ever. It gives your team the confidence and accountability they need to stay engaged towards key practice targets.
For NHS practices in England, drilling down on your 85% for the final quarter is easy by running a simple UDA/UOA report through Exact.
Once the report is run you will have access to your claimed/confirmed numbers for the period. You can then divide this by the contact target to get your percentage.
If you would like to seek further support in relation to tracking your UDA performance within Exact please do get in touch on 01634 266800. The SOE team is happy to help.
Streamline your workflow
With staff shortages you should ensure that you automate admin tasks. This allows your in-practice staff more time to do dentistry and your absent staff to rest easy.
Workflow Manager will ensure all daily tasks are visible to the relevant staff members. And it will show that you are managing staff efficiently and effectively.
Prompts such as completing a patient’s contact details on file whilst they are in practice will ensure you are equipped to send effective recalls in the future.
This may initially seem like a task to overlook in such busy times. But it should remain a priority. This is what will contribute to a full appointment book. As well as completed and therefore successful treatment plans and ultimately a loyal patient base.
This, alongside patient based tools such as online booking and Patient Portal, will also aid this process.
Empowering your patients in this way is what will form the basis of a streamlined workflow. It is now what patients expect as part of a safe, well-rounded experience.
If you have any further questions please contact SOE’s best practice team today on 01634 925726 where they can guide you through any current challenges your practice may face. Whilst also providing you with the support and tools you need to secure a bright future.
