Reader Feedback On EMR Podcast

By Jerry Hayes OD | in | 6/24/2010 - 8:44 am

Dear Jerry,

 

I enjoyed the podcast you did on May 25 with Dr Richard Hom on the future of electronic medical records.  I have utilized a PMS since we opened our office in 1995.

 

Having all patient encounters documented with an EMR since 2000 I can not think of any case where an OD would not benefit from converting from paper records to electronic. 

 

I have helped numerous other Docs implement EMR/PMS and at this point in time can see no downside

View This Article

JLKeg's picture

Optical staff

JLKeg - 08/05/2010 - 13:57 pm

Dr. Hayes,
We are in the midst of adjusting our allocation now. Would you only include optical staff that edge lenses in the CGS? We have one optician who spends 30% of time in optical edging and 70% on optical sales and service. We have three other opticians who are 100% dedicated to sales and service. We have typically only placed the "edging part" of the first optician in the CGS and the rest of optician salaries/benefits in labor. What are your suggestions?
Thanks,
Jeff

Jerry Hayes OD's picture

Jeff, I would allocate the

Jerry Hayes OD - 08/06/2010 - 11:08 am

Jeff, I would allocate the salaries on a pro rata basis of how they spend their time.

If the optician who both grinds lenses and deals with patients is making $30,000 per year and spends 30% of her time edging, I would book $21,000 of her salary to staff overhead and $9,000 to COGS. JH

meganpedersen's picture

Opticians as COGS

meganpedersen - 08/05/2010 - 10:13 am

We do not have a lab in our office, but we have 5 full time opticians. Would I count them as COGS or as staff? I understand if they spend time cutting lenses to count them as COGS, but their only job is to help patients with glasses. However, I can see how it should be counted as COGS instead of staffing. Which do you count them as if we don't have an in-house lab?

Megan

Jerry Hayes OD's picture

Hi Megan, IMO, If opticians

Jerry Hayes OD - 08/06/2010 - 11:04 am

Hi Megan,

IMO, If opticians spend all their time with frame selection and dispensing, I think 100% of their salary goes to staff expense category. JH

Public Forums Disclaimer: All content, information and opinions presented in the Red Tray Discussion Forums are those of the authors of posts and messages and not of Red Tray's. Red Tray does not guarantee the reliability or accuracy of the material presented. The material is published "as is", and does not represent the views and opinions of Red Tray. Red Tray merely provides a space for its users to express and exchange their own opinions. Any reliance upon the material presented in these forums shall be at the user's own risk. Red Tray and its owner organizations bear no legal liability for discussion results. Click here to view the full disclaimer and conditions of use.