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By Caren Baginski

The next time your employees complain about using a checklist, just tell them it could save a life.
 
According to a New York Time's Jan. 14 article, "Simple Checklist Makes Surgery Safer"* surgery staff who jogged memories by jotting checks on paper achieved a 40 percent drop in the average patient death rate and lowered surgery complications by about a third. These are huge numbers, all stemming from a piece of paper.

In January especially – the "resolutions" month – everyone goes crazy for checklists. Most are of the household cleaning kind – you know, the ones that make you roll your eyes because there's no way you have that much time in a week to detox your entire home. I find health care checklists more practical and as ubiquitous as Heimlich technique posters in New York City restaurants, which is great news if you love checklists (not choking).

Check out these 8 lists for the checklist super-user or those who have an immediate need to increase productivity in your organization. These documents can all be found in the Practice Management: Tools area of mgma.com and are a free member benefit.

1. Meeting Efficiency Checklist: Because nobody has time for inefficient meetings.
    
2. New Physician Orientation Checklist: Start off on the right foot with your new physician.
   
   
3. Billing Process Checklist: For increasing the likelihood that claims will be paid the first time you submit.  
   
   
4. Checklist for a New Practice Start-Up: Developing a business plan and strategies to help you get that line of credit.
   
   
5. Is your entrepreneurial idea viable? This checklist helps you determine whether your creative ideas will lead to successful services for your patients/clients.
   
   
6. Emergency Preparedness Response and Recovery Checklist: Debrief yourself on what it takes to establish and maintain an emergency management plan.  
   
   
7. Integrated Delivery System Navigation Checklist: For ensuring long-term IDS success.
   
   
8. Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Checklist: Before implementation, take a few deep breaths, then use this list.

* Read the original study published by the New England Journal of Medicine.

Caren Baginski is MGMA's Web Content Writer/Editor.

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