Some practices have reopened, some are testing the waters again after being hesitant to spend or invest during the lowest points of the crisis.

Solo practitioners have been forced into some important decisions regarding the health and safety of their practices. With the very real risk of patients contracting illnesses during any visits, it becomes a matter of whether you can provide care without risking the health of your clients and yours, and keep your practice running.

Although the health landscape is continually evolving, it’s safe to say that as long as the protocols and guidance provided by health authorities and professional regulators are adopted by your practice, the provision of healthcare services in the community should continue to take place.

So what does this mean for your independent practice strategies?

Revisiting Your Protocols is a Must

When times are good, our practices get a bit complacent about going through the motions of patient care, or treating every client the same. The current health environment is way too risky to allow for this kind of complacency. Every visit/contact you have with your client counts more than ever. You can’t be improvising your patient care processes right now.

Create a consistent plan that accounts for every stage of your patient care journey, such as:

• Screen your clients for any health issues prior to each visit and make sure you obtain formal consent from the client – outlining the risks. You can use our online forms to create your own screening tool and send it electronically to your client before each visit.
• Keep documents of these discussions. You can use our electronic documentation feature to document and track every interaction.
• Be cautious when relying on waiver forms – as a regulated professional, a duty to provide care should always take priority.
• Familiarize yourself with the current infection control protocols. Update your knowledge of best practices for these times.
• Source the correct Personal Protective Equipment.
• Ensure proper sterilization of equipment takes place.
• Thoroughly document all care. You can use our electronic documentation feature to document the care you provide.
• Conduct risk assessment for each client.
• Clearly communicate every stage of the process to the client.
• Check your public health authorities updates on health guidelines regularly.
• Consult with your health regulatory body.

At CompanyOn, we’re committed to helping our community of solo practitioners with information that features specific advice and guidance on how to run a business.

Related Resources:

• Health Canada
• Canadian Nurses’ Association (CNA)
• Canadian Association of Foot Care Nurses (CAFCN)
• Personal Protective Equipment

Navigating the management of patient data as a business and as regulated professionals can be complex. Understanding and implementing the best practices for client privacy not only protects your clients but also enhances the credibility and trustworthiness of your practice.

The Importance of Privacy in Business

Research indicates that the more aware people are of their rights regarding their personal information, the more likely they are to trust and do business with an organization. Setting up robust privacy guidelines within your practice is crucial. It’s an opportunity to prove that you are worthy of their trust—and their business. Ultimately, your practice is responsible for safeguarding the personal information it collects. Learn more about the importance of privacy in healthcare.

A Guide to Managing Patient Data

In response to the complexity of data management, we have compiled a white paper that outlines ten simple principles based on the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). This federal law governs how private health practitioners handle personal information. These principles are designed to help you navigate the legal landscape and ensure compliance. Get your copy of the white paper here.

Key Principles to Consider

1. Understand the Legal Framework: Familiarize yourself with laws like PIPEDA that affect your practice.
2. Implement Strong Security Measures: Protect patient data from unauthorized access. Discover strategies at securing patient information.
3. Consent and Transparency: Ensure that your patients are informed about how their data is used and stored.
4. Regular Training: Keep your team updated on privacy policies and procedures.
5. Data Minimization: Collect only the information that is necessary.
6. Access Controls: Limit access to sensitive information to authorized personnel only.
7. Audit and Monitoring: Regularly review and audit data usage and access.
8. Risk Assessment: Conduct periodic assessments to identify and mitigate risks.
9. Patient Rights: Respect and facilitate the rights of patients to access their personal data.
10. Breach Protocol: Have a clear plan in place for responding to data breaches.

Conclusion

Adhering to these principles not only helps you meet legal requirements but also builds a foundation of trust with your patients. To delve deeper into how these practices can benefit your business and to get more tailored advice, sign up for a free trial or book a demo today. Don’t just take our word for it—check out our customer testimonials to see how our services can enhance your solo practitioner business.

With CompanyOn by your side, managing your business and patient data securely and efficiently is indeed that simple.

In the challenging landscape of managing a solo practice, it is crucial to have every aspect of your business under control. While many solo practitioners may lack the resources to hire additional staff for tasks such as appointment booking and bookkeeping, CompanyOn understands these challenges and has tailored our services to meet your needs efficiently.

Understanding Bookkeeping vs. Accounting

Many often confuse bookkeeping with accounting; however, these disciplines are distinctly different. Bookkeeping is fundamentally administrative, focusing on the recording of financial transactions. In contrast, accounting is analytical, aiming to analyze and interpret the financial health of a business. For more insights, explore our article on the difference between bookkeeping and accounting.

The Importance of Effective Bookkeeping

Clear Financial Overview

Effective bookkeeping provides a transparent view of your financial landscape, enabling better financial decision-making. Learn how to achieve a clear financial picture with CompanyOn.

Maximizing Tax Deductions

Proper bookkeeping ensures that all potential tax deductions are accurately captured, reducing your tax liability. Discover tips on catching tax deductions through effective bookkeeping.

Facilitating Business Loans

A well-maintained bookkeeping system can streamline the process of applying for business loans by clearly demonstrating your financial stability. Read more on how bookkeeping helps with business loans.

Identifying Financial Discrepancies

Regular bookkeeping helps catch financial mistakes early, preventing potential complications down the line. Learn about common financial mistakes and how to avoid them.

Efficiency in Time and Cost

Streamlined bookkeeping processes save significant time and money, allowing you to focus more on your core business activities. See our guide on saving time and money through efficient bookkeeping.

How CompanyOn Enhances Your Bookkeeping

Our platform offers comprehensive tools to manage your financials effortlessly:

• Recording Transactions: Keep accurate records of daily income and expenses.
• Issuing Invoices: Efficiently create and send invoices to clients. Discover how easy it is with our guide on issuing invoices.
• Generating Financial Reports: Obtain detailed reports on expenses and transactions to monitor your business’s financial health. Learn more about our reporting features here.

Think of our bookkeeping tools as your financial accountability partner, keeping you informed and in control of your business finances.

Conclusion

Explore these advantages and more by signing up for a free trial or booking a demo today. Check out our customer testimonials to see how CompanyOn can revolutionize your bookkeeping practices. With CompanyOn, managing your business finances becomes simpler and more effective.