DECEMBER 2023
THE PTSMC OCTOBER MANAGEMENT MEETING
On October 26th and 27th PTSMC’s leadership team came together for our annual meeting. We spent the better part of two days sharing information and discussing the opportunities and challenges facing our people and organization. This is one of three annual meetings where we are all together, in person, with the goal of making PTSMC better. The agenda is generally jam packed, and this year was no exception. The “pre-read” series of documents was 56 pages in length!
For the first time, two EMR companies were invited to present to the group. WebPT leaders presented on SOAP 2.0 and representatives from PROMPT demonstrated their platform. Back in June, we hosted Raintree during our mid-year meeting. These appear to be the “big three” currently providing EMR & Billing and Collection platforms in the outpatient physical therapy market. The reason we are spending time evaluating these products and services is straightforward: Does any product or provider make our clinician’s life better? Can anybody deliver on the promise of reducing the administrative burden associated with documentation? As you might expect, each has strengths and weaknesses. The decision to change EMRs is not taken lightly. Even staying with WebPT means a platform change to SOAP 2.0 eventually. Input from staff is extremely important. Thank you to all who have participated in testing and given feedback thus far. A survey will be sent to all clinicians and front desk staff to continue the feedback process. Mallory Mason (Director of Culture & Engagement) and I presented on the “B” word: burnout. We took the opportunity to dive deeper into our lowest scoring statement from the Energage survey, “PTSMC cares about preventing burnout.” We began with understanding the term burnout: work-related and personal causes, differences between stress and burnout, identifying signs and symptoms. We reviewed the common comments and themes related to burnout from the Energage survey and turnover data of clinicians who left PTSMC. Finally, we shared a collection of insights from discussions over the last six months about what Partners & Directors said about their staff and burnout. This opened the floor for the group to discuss techniques being used every day to help support our people.
Mike Durand (VP of Business Development) proposed a change to the PT Incentive Program. The decision that “vacation is not a punishment” was unanimous! Effective for dates of service in October, bonus calculations will be “pro-rated” to reflect approved vacation time. In the early afternoon, Melissa Boutagy (Clinical Compliance Officer & Guilford PT), Juliann Chacko (Student Program Director & Orange Assistant Director) and Danielle Dunn (Director of Clinical Excellence and Residency Program & Wallingford PT) presented as the Clinical Ops Team. These leaders shared how Compliance, the Student Program and Clinical Excellence are working together for our people at PTSMC. Partners and Directors worked in small groups to discuss and give feedback on how this clinical team can continue to add value. Later in the afternoon another dynamic team presented. Jenn Detlefsen (Director of Billing), Kristen Forster (Director of Operations) and Alison Pearce (Director of RCM) shared the latest developments in Patient Services Operations and Revenue Cycle Management (RCM). First, Partners and Directors were challenged to create the Revenue Cycle! Then, we dove into each step of the cycle. We reviewed the factors that impact each step, that delay the cycle, and areas where we can influence improvement.
IN THIS ISSUE Clinician’s Corner by Matt San Angelo Southbury Physical Therapist Assistant Swimmer’s Shoulder Upcoming 2024 Courses Employee Spotlight: Ted Raczka Branford Partner & Director Employee Assistance Program The Extra Mile: The Loyalty Loop By Kristen Forster
DEI: November DEI Forum By Marilex Santiago Ugly Sweater Contest
After the formal portion of the day concluded, it was time for a little fun. We boarded a bus to Golf Lounge 18! We had reserved the golf bays for some BRAGS contests and open play. Not everyone is a golfer; however, everybody jumped in! We shared some adult beverages, appetizers and a lot of laughs! Energage Comments Summary We ate dinner as a group at Arugula in West Hartford center. On Friday, 7:00 AM seemed to come faster than normal. We spent the next block of time debriefing and discussing the pros and cons of Raintree, WebPT and PROMPT. The last of our time together was spent in “Regional Clusters” working though the pre-read materials. Personally, I look forward to these meetings every year. I always learn when I am with this group. I am also reminded of how deeply this team cares about our people and the communities we serve. Thanks,
Interested in planning, improving or contributing to the PULSE in 2024?
Alan
Congratulations to PTSMC’s Next Class of Orthopaedic Residents!
Join us on December 6th at 11:30am for a meeting on how to make the PULSE the best it can be. To attend the meeting, email Emily at Emily.Fillion@ptsmc.com. Can’t make the meeting? We still want your input! Send an email to Emily with your ideas.
Leah Cummings Orange PT
Xavier Gibson Naugatuck PT
Justin Marceau Wallingford PT
Emily Pelz Waterbury PT
Mike Popolizio Glastonbury PT