I agree with Brian to write Rxs that have to be written, but inactive them after. I thought this could be done well before 3.6, though. I also thought I was missing the point since I have a million templates for Orders.
About notes: Unbelievable. My biggest sore spot and probably what makes me Shoot The Messenger more than anything else. Letters and notes for almost everything. I have gotten to where I am so passive-aggressive it is unreal. "Please send a letter with the diagnosis of your patient is." Letter: To whom... Body of letter: Asthma. Then the letters from the daycares and the agencies wanting to do a CYA. I have to write a letter so a mom can give soy milk instead of milk. One daycare wanted a letter to allow the mom to stop giving nebs to her baby since she was no long wheezing or coughing. You should have seen the letter I wrote. It was so sarcastic and funny.
The reason lawyers don't write notes for nothing is because it isn't the expectation. We have allowed patients to do this. Plus, as a pediatrician especially, I can refuse to send a ridiculous letter for awhile, but ultimately it hurts my patient. One thing I did start doing last year, and it seems to work is to charge $15.00 per letter to the agencies and daycares. I get the $15.00 on about 40% and about 25% never call back. So, I am down to 35%.
