Les Jebson, executive director of The University of Florida Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute in Gainesville, shares three ways orthopedic and sports medicine groups can reduce the costs associated with running their practices.
1. Ask staff for cost-saving ideas. Employees at the Institute are actively encouraged to share their ideas for cost savings and are used to gauge proposed opportunities. Actively soliciting employees for process improvement ideas has reduced costs in a number of areas at the practice, including costs associated with the use of disposable coffee cups and photocopies, says Mr. Jebson.
"As our costs continue to rise and our compensation and collections flattening — it is simply not an option not to actively solicit and incorporate solutions for working more efficiently, without compromising quality."
2. Embrace technology. Practices should embrace any technology that helps them work smarter and more efficiently, says Mr. Jebson. The Institute recently began using automatic call distribution software to route calls in a more efficient manner and also started using automatic paperless fax routing to more efficiently distribute the faxes it receives.
3. Think green. A concern for the environment can yield unintended cost savings. Looking for ways to be more "green" can help practices reduce expenses, says Mr. Jebson. "A progressive 'green' movement has resulted in saving more green without spending more green!" he says. The Institute's new office location was constructed as a LEED-certified facility, which has resulted in reduced electric and water bills.
Learn more about The University of Florida Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute.
1. Ask staff for cost-saving ideas. Employees at the Institute are actively encouraged to share their ideas for cost savings and are used to gauge proposed opportunities. Actively soliciting employees for process improvement ideas has reduced costs in a number of areas at the practice, including costs associated with the use of disposable coffee cups and photocopies, says Mr. Jebson.
"As our costs continue to rise and our compensation and collections flattening — it is simply not an option not to actively solicit and incorporate solutions for working more efficiently, without compromising quality."
2. Embrace technology. Practices should embrace any technology that helps them work smarter and more efficiently, says Mr. Jebson. The Institute recently began using automatic call distribution software to route calls in a more efficient manner and also started using automatic paperless fax routing to more efficiently distribute the faxes it receives.
3. Think green. A concern for the environment can yield unintended cost savings. Looking for ways to be more "green" can help practices reduce expenses, says Mr. Jebson. "A progressive 'green' movement has resulted in saving more green without spending more green!" he says. The Institute's new office location was constructed as a LEED-certified facility, which has resulted in reduced electric and water bills.
Learn more about The University of Florida Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute.