Create an effective scheduling system
Few things are more frustrating than having to wait for patients who don’t show up, or arrive late. But on the other hand, patients also often get upset when their medical appointments are delayed through no fault of their own. Long waiting times at the doctor’s office are very common, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything to prevent this from happening.
A virtual answering service can help matters by providing operators who will quickly take appointments and cancellations, in addition to keeping this information updated in your calendar. Your new service will also be able to send out automated reminders to reduce the risk of no-shows and canceled appointments.
This simple technique can create a smoother flow at your medical practice and maximize the efficiency of your working hours. Patients won’t have to wait to see you, and you will be able to organize your schedule to reduce waiting lists as well.
Make sure you’re available around the clock
We all need to rest at the end of the day, and healthcare workers are no exception. However, it’s also understandable for patients to have inquiries and questions after your practice has closed. Balancing these two facts can be very complicated for medical professionals, but failing to do so can lead to burnout, exhaustion, poor patient satisfaction, and even lost profits.
But don’t worry — a virtual answering service can also help solve this problem. Because operators work remotely, they are able to keep your phone lines open 24/7, 365 days of the year. Operators work overnight to ensure that they pick up every phone call and provide the information that your patients need. If necessary, they can even forward urgent calls to you or another member of your staff. This will always be done following your previous instructions.
When you get to work in the morning, you will find that your schedule has been updated, inquiries have been solved, and patients will be happier and more satisfied because your office was available through the night.
Don’t let your phone calls ring forever
Missed phone calls can be a complicated matter for many healthcare organizations. Your staff probably has to handle many responsibilities throughout the day, and it’s easy for phone calls to come last in the list of priorities. But if patients get used to having to call several times before they get an answer, they may try calling a different practice next time. Missed phone calls can also create a backlog of tasks that can quickly derail your staff’s workday and slow down many tasks.
A remote call center can ensure that your medical practice runs efficiently by taking phone calls and handling all inquiries according to the information you provide. This can be especially helpful during seasonally busy times when your phone lines are constantly overflowing. As a result, you and your staff will be able to focus all your energy on caring for patients, knowing that communications operations are running smoothly thanks to your call center operators.
