So far this month, we’ve discussed eliminating bottlenecks in scheduling and strategies to empower your staff to achieve efficiency, but costs can cause your productivity to take two steps back for each step forward. This week, we’ll explore those leaks and how to fix them.
Most practice owners focus on revenue growth, but inefficiencies in daily operations can quietly drain profits. Lost time and overlooked expenses add up quickly. Identifying these weak points and making small adjustments can significantly impact both productivity and profitability.
Where Time and Money Disappear
One of the biggest inefficiencies in optometry practices is idle staff time. If technicians are waiting for patients to arrive or struggling with unclear next steps, productivity takes a hit. Poor communication among the front desk, technicians, and doctors can lead to patients sitting in exam lanes for longer than necessary, which delays the entire schedule.
Another common issue is inventory mismanagement, particularly in optical. Ordering excessive stock ties up cash flow, while running out of popular frames or contact lenses results in lost sales and frustrated patients.
Fixing the Leaks
To address weaknesses, start by tracking key metrics, such as average patient flow times and the percentage of unsold inventory, and then identify and analyze potential solutions. For example, if pretesting routinely takes longer than expected, analyze whether staff training or equipment upgrades could improve efficiency. Consider batching tasks, such as placing contact lens orders once per day instead of sporadically. In addition, encourage real-time communication among staff to reduce downtime and eliminate unnecessary delays.
A practice that runs efficiently not only improves profitability but also enhances the patient experience. Small refinements to workflow and resource management can lead to significant long-term gains.
This editorial content was supported via unrestricted sponsorship.
