Practice Management Articles

Urgent Message: Replace vague, defensive disclaimers in patient charts with clear, specific documentation and evidence-based communication to strengthen trust and demonstrate a culture of quality care. Alan A. Ayers, MBA, MAcc Keywords: EHR templates; smart phrases; culture; disclaimers; patient charts; malpractice Disclaimers are creeping into urgent care documentation. Many providers have grown accustomed to including boilerplate language such as “comfort measures were reviewed,” “patient verbalized understanding,” or “dictated but not read.” These lines are often added automatically through templates or copied forward from prior notes—intended as a shield against liability …
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Urgent Message: Choosing the right security system—whether it’s surveillance cameras or a scalable monitored alarm network—can improve operational oversight and reduce the financial risk of your urgent care investment. Alan A. Ayers, MBA, MAcc Keywords: urgent care security; surveillance cameras; HIPAA compliance; monitored alarm systems; healthcare facility safety; operational risk management Whether you’re just starting in urgent care or managing a growing footprint of centers, securing your physical space is essential to protecting your investment. Security incidents are relatively rare in most urgent care settings, but the legal and financial …
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Urgent Message: Invest in artificial intelligence upskilling across your organization by dedicating resource time and funding for educational activities. It’s a critical strategy for urgent care operators to improve staff retention and operational readiness. Keywords: clinician upskilling; AI literacy; workflow adoption; clinical documentation; decision support; change management Burnout remains a serious consideration across healthcare, and urgent care is no exception. At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how we deliver and manage care. To retain and re-engage our people while preparing for the AI era, we have to …
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Urgent Message: The ultimate goal of ambient AI is to reclaim time for patient care by offloading burdensome administrative processes. Building trust is the first of several success factors in this revolution. Keywords: ambient AI; medical scribe; clinical documentation; EHR workflow; implementation barriers; change management Alan A. Ayers, MBA, MAcc Urgent care providers face immense demands: high patient volumes, tight schedules, and the ongoing expectation to deliver exceptional care. Yet amid these pressures, documentation continues to consume valuable clinical time and energy—time that could be spent connecting with patients. According …
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Urgent Message: Urgent care teams can take practical steps to safeguard quality for Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-waived testing by following detailed Instructions for Use information. Key Words: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments; CLIA-Waived Testing; Certificate of Waiver Cathy Bohrer, MT(ASCP) Laboratory tests commonly used in urgent care are only reliable when their Instructions for Use (IFU)—including any limitations—are followed. For urgent care leaders, this isn’t just about compliance with federal regulations. Patient outcomes, safety, and even a site’s Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-waived status depend on it. Because IFU limitations …
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