We are excited to launch a new branding campaign for Physical Therapy & Rehab Specialists - Hinsdale. The clinic recently received a facelift to further the PTRS brand and the brand of physical therapy. New signs were installed in the clinic with the slogan "Return to Function," an example of which is above. The signs show people performing different activities, to which physical therapy can help them return if they experience an injury. The signs reinforce the clinic's goal for each patient and remind them of the benefits of physical therapy.

Branding a clinic in the proper manner is a key to its success. The messages that patients continually see in the clinic are designed to reinforce the professional, quality treatment they are receiving. The brand of each clinic also emphasizes that clinic's impact in the community. Distributing clinic-specific collaterals and answering the phone with the practice's local name, for example, are designed to reinforce each brand.

These new collaterals can be modified for use in additional clinic settings. For more information, contact Steve Ziccarelli at rms-sz@tds.net.

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One of our family members recently was recognized as a medical expert in his community by the local media. Jon DeBord, PT, MS, ATC, SCS of Kewanee Physical Therapy & Rehab Specialists was featured last week on a local TV newscast. A reporter from WQAD-TV, a local ABC affiliate, contacted him to be featured as a medical expert on a story about staying hydrated in the extreme heat.

"[Water] doesn't have the right electrolyte levels in it to replenish those lost electrolytes that help to balance all the body's systems," Jon said in the story, addressing the misconception that people should drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

He elaborated further, cautioning against a condition called hyponatremia, which can cause a loss of consciousness from dehydration. Jon provided expert knowledge on alternating water with sports drinks, which can help the nerves, heart and muscles operate effectively.

Teamwork between providers, front desk coordinators and the Central Office has led to an impressive achievement. Our Days Outstanding - a measurement that shows how many days it takes to receive payment after services are rendered - is down by 10% since the end of 2010 and is the lowest it has been in two years.

Providers are helping accomplish this by completing documentation on the date of service. Front desk coordinators are helping by collecting co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles upfront; submitting timely daily packets; providing authorization information and obtaining referrals.

The Central Office is contributing with timely provider contracting, timely authorization, accurate payment entry and clean claim submissions. Increased use of electronic claims submission and electronic claims payment, as well as the use of online insurance programs to request reconsideration also have improved the Days Outstanding measurement.

As a result of this team effort, registration and documentation are completed faster, and claims are able to be billed faster. This results in faster payments, which improves the practice's cash flow. With everyone's seamless efforts, important metrics of the clinic's health can be improved.

We recently were afforded the wonderful opportunity to attend a webinar called, "Courage Goes To Work." The webinar taught ways to develop courage in order to become inspired to leave your comfort zone, harness any fears and more readily step up to challenges and changes.  

 

The presentation took us through some systematic approaches to developing courage. One of the first lessons was, "when fear enters the picture, courage presents the opportunity," meaning we do not and cannot grow in comfort. The illustration below brings the point to life.

 

When we come out of our comfort zone to open up to opportunity, we increase our "courage zone." Our discomfort zone will decrease, and soon we are growing into new opportunities. This leads to better performance and results in all aspects of our lives.

Hi, !  

This Issue's Theme is:  Accentuate the Positive

 

When you accentuate the positive in any situation, you open your point of view to outside ideas and expand your horizons. In a clinical setting, providers and FDCs accentuate the positive everyday - whether it's progress in a patient's treatment or communicating the approval of insurance benefits.

 

In the therapy discipline, we're in business to highlight the positive aspects of returning a patient to function. Even if you're having a down moment, stop and think about the positive impact that the work we do everyday has on patients' lives. 

Turned On: Eight Vital Insights to Energize Your People, Customers and Profits by Roger Dow & Susan Cook

 

Officials on the national stage are taking notice of the work RMS is doing in training therapists on how to report quality measures. Anita Bemis-Dougherty, PT, DPT, MAS, Associate Director of the Department of Practice for the American Physical Therapy Association, contacted us to recognize the work RMS did to create the training program for the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS).

"You are really a great model for trying to educate therapists on the importance of Quality measures," Bemis-Dougherty said. The APTA was so impressed with RMS' commitment to the program, Bemis-Dougherty has indicated she would like to collaborate more on future educational endeavors for a national audience.

For more information on the PQRS program and how to incorporate your practice, please contact Kevin Svoboda, PT at rms-ks@tds.net.  

   

Our new Lunch & Learn Webinar Series has been well received by administrative staff and physical therapists alike. The presentations give all team members the opportunity to come together for a few hours each month and stay current on relevant topics.  

 

Connie Ziccarelli, COO and Kevin Svoboda, PT have enjoyed immensely hosting the educational sessions, allowing all clinic team members to further their knowledge for the improvement of each practice.

 

"I found the information to be imperative to the understanding of payment strategies to ensure that the patient is fully informed about his or her financial responsibilities," said Sylvestra Ramirez, PT, DPT.

 

If you would like materials or recordings from previous webinars, Public Relations Director Justin Smith would be glad to send them along. You can reach Justin at rms-justin@tds.net.