Improving Patient Flow in a Modern Plastic Surgery Practice | S5 Ep24

Patient flow starts long before a patient reaches the exam room. For plastic surgery practices, smoother workflow often depends on how well scheduling, intake, telehealth, documentation, payment and follow-up connect across the patient journey. Dr. Ash Patel discusses patient flow with Andrew Rosenthal, MD, and Lindsay Pine of Modernizing Medicine. Dr. Rosenthal brings the perspective of both a practicing plastic surgeon and medical director of plastic surgery at Modernizing Medicine, while Pine shares operational insight from her work with practices using the company’s technology. The conversation focuses on how digital tools can reduce friction for patients and staff, from telehealth consults and virtual chaperones to online scheduling, automated reminders, secure messaging, in-room checkout and better use of practice data. Topics Discussed Defining patient flow in a modern plastic surgery practice Modernizing Medicine and specialty-specific EHR design Telehealth adoption during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic Using virtual consults for screening, triage and postoperative care Privacy, chaperones and professionalism in telehealth visits Billing, coding and documentation considerations for telehealth Digital intake, kiosk tools and pre-visit patient information Mobile documentation and in-room checkout Online scheduling and automated appointment reminders Secure messaging and patient communication Using practice data to identify revenue opportunities Choosing vendors and improving workflow one step at a time Key Takeaway Improving patient flow means rethinking every step of the patient experience, not just reducing time in the waiting room. Integrated tools for scheduling, intake, telehealth, documentation, payments and communication can help plastic surgery practices reduce repetitive staff work, improve convenience for patients and create a more efficient clinical workflow. Bonus Resources Modernizing Medicine CareCredit ASPS Education Network About Enhance Your Practice Enhance Your Practice is the official practice management podcast from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), featuring conversations with leaders in plastic surgery on practice management, leadership, innovation, and professional development. Each episode delivers practical insights to help plastic surgeons build successful practices and thrive throughout their careers. Explore more educational resources from ASPS at plasticsurgery.org.