Improving communication and safety in medical offices play an important role in reducing patient dissatisfaction, injury and lawsuits.

Communication with hospitals, labs, and other healthcare providers is vital to evaluating a call’s priority by degree of urgency. Procedures for staff members who handle calls and reports should include how to:
 

• Document and verify caller’s name, referral, and contact information
• Communicate information to physician’s office for scheduling an appointment and record the call in the patient’s chart (including the date, time, and name of the person who received the call).
• Develop a tracking system of patient’s records

In addition to communicating well with other healthcare providers, communication within the medical office is just as important. To improve communication and documentation, offices should put these procedures into place:

• Schedule frequent staff meetings to build relationships and develop a better understanding of each person’s role
• Document missed and canceled appointments as well as efforts to contact the patient
• Ensure all physicians and staff know where to update and review patient records- especially allergies and medication changes.

Provide a safe environment for staff and patients and insure you have protocols in case of an emergency

• Maintain a schedule for maintenance of equipment and report any malfunction
• Have written protocols for managing medical emergencies and outside threats like bomb threats, intruders, and natural disaster.
• Ensure all staff knows the location and use of oxygen, and drugs for emergent conditions

Improving office communication and safety is the responsibility of all staff and physicians. By implementing these procedures in the workplace, you can create a better experience for your patients.

For more tips or information, please see this article by The Doctors Company: https://www.thedoctors.com/articles/improving-medical-office-communication-and-safety/
​Other Articles for Reference:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/communication-techniques-for-medical-office-2317271
https://medicalreview.columbia.edu/article/communication-healthcare/
 

In today’s global economy many, if not most, companies have raw materials coming from a foreign point of origin.  In addition, most companies sell their products all over world.  This raises two fundamental risk management questions.  Are my imported raw materials covered in the event of loss?  Also, when my products (inventory) leave my manufacturing / processing facility are they covered until they are accepted by my customers?

To address these questions and the associated risks more and more companies are purchasing a Stock Throughput Policy (STP).  In addition to providing coverage for the above scenarios the products can also be covered while in process.  This policy can provide more comprehensive coverage throughout the supply chain as compared to a traditional transit or cargo policy.  Arguably the highest risk of loss to inventory within the supply chain is when it is between transit and storage or being loaded / off loaded.  Coverage needs to be designed to explicitly cover this scenario to avoid needless time delays and frustration in the event of a loss.   
Supply chains are infinitely more complex and volatile today than in past and include evolving dynamics such as software and equipment failures, economic impairments, government and associated regulatory delays.  Proactive and thoughtful management of your distribution channel strategy is fundamental to mitigating the risks of goods in transit.

A well designed STP will provide protection for the three evident property in transit risks, namely, while the property is moving on the ocean, on the land and while it is in storage.  It should also specifically include coverage for the full spectrum of the supply chain process such as raw materials, work in process and finished goods.  An important provision to confirm is the process clause or coverage for goods while within the manufacturing cycle. 
If you are importing raw materials, exporting goods in process or shipping finished goods and are concerned about this property while it is in transit a STP is something you should evaluate and potentially integrate into your overall risk management program.