Mike Niehoff M.D.

First, it is cheaper to use intrinsic motivators.  Just need some good imagination and a goal for why you are implementing the motivator.  A little engagement with customers saved SW 10 or 15 minutes per takeoff.  That may have great value for the airline.

Here is what I think about your bonus.  The money is coming directly from the ACO qua…[Read more]

First, this is a great story of achievement by applying business skills in the small practice setting.  You have maximized revenue and reduced expenses by improving efficiency, I would say by creating an inclusive team driven work environment.  Did you get hit by lightning and somehow obtain the skills it takes to accomplish this?  Bottom line, yo…[Read more]

I think you outline the biggest problem with the trend toward physician employment.  When I was in a small single specialty group, we participate in decision making on the process of patient care.  Granted, our decision making process wasn’t very good, we didn’t know any better, but we were in touch with our patients needs because we talked to t…[Read more]

I thought the course was well done and should be used to educate and screen by just about everyone. Sleep, good sleep is so essential to having energy and a good life that is enjoyable. If you have sleep apnea, it is not your fault and you can do something about that that will greatly improve your quality of life.

It sounds like you were applying some high level business skills as medical director and department chief.  Most physicians I have met simply fly by the seat of their pants when doing process improvement and take an intuitive approach to management.  Team based improvement like your OR success is usually process driven.  Did you already have th…[Read more]

The biggest fear about joining a committee or even greater, being the leader is having to do all the work .  Quality leadership preaches empowerment.  Often times that concept comes right along with the leader assuming control.  That is when you have the meetings where they ask you to decide but you understand the decision has been made before yo…[Read more]

One more thing.  You can’t just divest decision making and power as a leader because it is part of the modern “Quality Leadership” theory out of MIT.  You have to develop a culture of empowerment.  Most clear understand the chain of command and bureaucratic structure of an organization.  Considering how not to allow those characteristics to han…[Read more]

I always say the perception is the enemy of reality. As a physician, are we comfortable treating our perceived notion of what is wrong with our patients or should we be more directed toward the real cause of the illness. Of course we are looking for the real cause. Yet in our healthcare delivery process it always seems that perception is good…[Read more]

This is very interesting.  Patient centered rounds is a solution to a problem.  It should have been one of a number of alternative solutions to the problem.  What is the problem they were trying to solve and what were the key quality characteristics they chose to measure the problem in the first place.  Who was incorporated into the imp…[Read more]

If anyone of you can give me an idea of this practice’s collection efficiency, I have a special prize for you.  Take a shot at the answer and I will let you know what I think.

Nothing worse than working hard and then letting the revenue slip away because of a combination of bad accounting, poor communication, and lack of oversight.  Remember, rev…[Read more]