We are living in a instant world. A world where we expect everything to magically happen at the push of a button, and the drop of a hat, without too much consideration of the sometimes immense number of processes between the pushing of the button, and the instant desired result. Our cell phones speak to our computers, your fridges can order milk and bread and we can have a on-screen face-to-face conversation with someone half way across the world. Not for a mille-second that these technological processes sometimes take do we really take into account the massive data jigsaw puzzle which only really fits if all of the pieces are put together correctly. For everything to be picture perfect each piece must link-up with all of the surrounding pieces, to form one coherent image. The software running in your practice is much like a puzzle of infinite possibilities, and only once the user has determined exactly what end-result they are aiming at, can the software package really start to automate and manage within these given perimeters. Practice management solutions depends largely on precise set up and implementation before it will perform and react as expected. Even the simplest plug and play solution requires specific instructions to understand what and how you want it to function. User input is critical in the early stages of implementation - or else the software may not meet your expectations

Your practise management software needs you. Only with you feeding data and information into the system can the applications then assist you and your practice managers, in reaching an end-result at the push of a button.

Here are a few simple steps that could help you the next time you run or install a product in your practice.

• Record not only financial information but clinical information as well.
• Correct information from your patients are critical and creates the core of the minimum data set that will be stored in your system. A standard form that they can fill in while waiting is always a winner.
• Capturing of data remains critical.
• Create back ups of this information.
• Please ensure that the back up or back up system you are using, in fact, works.
• Always save the work you've done - setting your system up to save at regular intervals will help.

By following these basic steps your practice management software will be able to assist you to improve efficiencies in your practice. Data capturing may seem like a big concept but it simply refers to recording transactions, patient information and other useful information that will assist in the management of your practice. By building up a correct database increases your ability to drill into data at a later stage and by doing so, maximise the reasons for using computerized solutions within your practice.

Other Product TIPS

Pre-Checks to ensure your claim is created successfully

1. Your medical aid plans need to be activated with the correct destination code and activation date.
2. All required fields in the Account and Dependant file need to be correctly captured.
3. The full claim value needs to reflect in the medical aid liable column.
4. You need to ensure that the service date of the transaction to be claimed is not before the medical aid activation date.

Med-e-Mass+ TIP

Procedures to follow for a successful Month End

• Your backup needs to be completed.
• You need to confirm your daily audit trial balance before resetting the pointers.
• Please confirm that the period parameters are in the current period.
• Run all automatic calculations such as the Interest or Pay plan calculations.
• Please set up your statements to print according to your practice needs.
• You need to ensure that there is enough paper in your printer each time you print your Month End close down report.
• Please verify that your period parameters have moved on to the new period.