Four Tools for a (Nearly) Touch-free Practice

As the pandemic continues to change how we go about our daily lives, one thing that remains is the importance of technology. From social media to video chat, we’ve been able to stay connected to our loved ones and peers. This past year, optometry practices have used new tools like telehealth, automated messaging, and social media to reach and care for their patients with ease.

The pandemic has not only changed the way you communicate with patients, but also what it looks like to conduct an in-person eye exam. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of four tools you can use to help your practice adhere to health and safety guidelines, while continuing to navigate the new normal.

Collect Patient Info Ahead of Time
Streamline the check-in process and help minimize the amount of time each patient spends in your practice with easy-to-use online forms. With anytime online access, patients can securely fill out their information, insurance, reason for visit, and medical history before their appointment, that way, you have all the info you need before the patient even walks through the door–no clipboards necessary.

Extend Care to At-Risk Patients
With the earlier stay-at-home orders, we saw an increase in the popularity of telehealth. Providers in a variety of specialties (including optometrists) have been able to use secure video chat to extend care to at-risk and remote patients. Telehealth also allows optometrists to take a proactive approach to patient outreach. By offering virtual visits, doctors can adjust (and help their patients adjust) to the new normal while continuing to provide the necessary care for those with pre-existing conditions or those simply in need of a check-up/follow-up.

Encourage Physical Distancing
You may have already re-arranged your office to follow social distancing guidelines, but there are other ways to help control patient flow. Strategically space out your appointments with integrated online scheduling in Eyefinity Encompass^TM. You’ll control the appointment length and availability to ensure patients are safely spread out and that there is enough time to sanitize equipment in between visits.

Offer Touchless Payment Options
With the help of one of our Certified Partners Weave and Worldpay, you can offer contact–less payment options. Whether your patients prefer credit cards and mobile wallets or more traditional payments like cash or checks, you’ll be able to give them options when it comes to checking out.

Make Your Sanitization Protocols Public
A study found that 64% of survey respondents trusted businesses more when they went above and beyond the minimum health and safety requirements. In the same report they also note that 60% of Americans say businesses need to make their preventative measures more visible. So, whether you add your sanitization and safety protocols to your website, social media, or post flyers throughout your practice, publicizing them will help give patients peace of mind.

We hope this article gave you a few more ideas on how you can leverage practice technology to help create a nearly touch-free patient experience that will keep both you and your patients safe.

Find out how Eyefinity Encompass gives you the tools needed to stay adaptable and conquer whatever comes next.