Travis,
I only have 2 employees "up front" also. I do have a full-time biller as well. The "front" person does "front" things while the "back" person does "back" things. Actually my 2 employees switch jobs back and forth each week so they remain skilled to work either spot. I also hate running late. But, I also figure if the patient is brought back to a room at their appointment time and most of the history is already being entered into the chart by the back person, then I do not have to spend nearly so much time typing and losing eye contact with the patient. I was also concerned about how my patients would accept me typing right in front of them (particularly because I am not a skilled typist...more of a hunt 'N pecker) but they are impressed that I am up-to-date on the "latest" technology. When they hit the front desk and their orders, scripts and handouts are there waiting for them they are really impressed. Although I do no where NEAR the office procedures you do, other than irrigating ears (which is very time-consuming and generally yucky) I otherwise do most everything...remove staples, change dressings, I&D junk, inject joints, EKG's etc....without nurse assistance. This frees her up to do the chart work and also enhances the patient's impression of the face-to-face time I spent with them. I would much rather do this than sit and type in PMH. But this is me...you have to find what works best not only for you but for the competency level of your staff. I am always a little confused though what difference it is to spread out your patient appointment times so that you can get your charting done at the time of the visit vs tacking on another 2-3 hours at the end of the day to do it.
As far as losing faxes, I doubt there is any fool-proof way to prevent it in any fax program. I have accidentally deleted them myself. But, you can always play dumb like insurance companies and say "We never got that"
and have it sent again.
