In order to keep patient exam slots available for revenue-generating patients, we schedule our one-day post-op patients to come in 30 minutes prior to the start of the regular day. This assists in patient flow, since the patients are all the same relatively quick vision checks, and the technicians know what the spiel is for post-op instructions. Also, if there is any “surprise” patient, she or he can be dealt with first thing in the morning instead of at 10:30 on a busy day.

Some instruments require the patient name, birth date, chart number, and other data to be entered prior to measurement. If your OCT/topographer/camera/instrument allows for patient set-up prior to the exam, enter data the afternoon prior to the day of measurement. In our office there is some down-time at the end of the day when the doctor is finishing up and patients and techs have completed their part of the exam. This is when we do call-backs, equipment set-up, and cleaning. If a patient does not show, we delete.

Patients may not always tell you their glasses frames are weak or in need of repair; it’s possible they might not even know. Offering to remove their glasses and clean them while you interview them - even if that’s not the purpose of the visit - may let you find out something otherwise overlooked. They may mention something about their eyes or glasses they might have forgotten. At the very least, they’ll know they got their vision checked with clean lenses and it shows you truly care.

Techs often feel more comfortable reviewing and preparing the chart prior to calling in the patient. But, while the patient sits in the waiting room, wondering what is taking so long, the same amount of time can be spent by a face-to-face review and perceived by the patient as direct patient care.