Opening any sort of healthcare or medical office involves a major financial investment, between the specialized (and expensive) equipment required for your practice and the infrastructure to support the aforementioned equipment, trained personnel, and administrative operations, it can add up quickly. And that doesn’t even include the actual aesthetics of your office – mundane (yet, important to convey a professional impression) things like chairs, artwork, amenities and décor. We’re talking a SERIOUS chunk of change…but, if you’re forgetting something that’s very inexpensive it can cost you even MORE money!
You can literally spend millions on your office, and STILL get tripped-up by something that may cost less than $10. And frequently, these items may even be FREE! Yet, failing to add these items throughout your office – from your front door, to reception area, to breakroom, to lab, to exam rooms – all of your other investments don’t count for anything.
Okay, now that we’ve built the proper level of suspense, here’s what you may be lacking for success. Drum roll…SIGNAGE! Now before you think this was a bit anticlimactic, the signs in and on your office can mean the difference between financial success and crushing fines. And those fines are not “nickel-and-dime” offenses. They can easily compound into five- and six-figure totals…and any one of the regulating agencies can even shut down your entire practice, while burying you in an endless bureaucratic quagmire!
Yep, all over a few signs; certainly a chilling thought. As we’ve mentioned on numerous occasions, there is no less than a baker’s dozen of regulatory agencies with some sort of oversight on the dental profession, specifically. And we all know, aside from the stated “purpose” of any government entity, they must constantly strive to justify their existence and budgets. Guess how they go about doing THAT? You got it, by demonstrating how vital their oversight is ensuring the rules are followed – by finding as many regulatory violations as possible!
For instance, you are required to have certain employment laws and regulations posted where they can be viewed by all staff members. Otherwise, you could have the EEOC or TWC breathing down your neck. Or, did you know OSHA governs the labeling of certain areas and extensive chemical label information in your lab? Of course, the TSBDE has their fingers all over the signage…from your front door, to patient areas, to support staff offices. And don’t even get us started on the requirements for your pharmaceuticals and imaging equipment!
We know, it can seem like overkill. But, each of those signs DOES serve a purpose and can help you to remember the importance of certain safety procedures or policies to ensure equity. That said, they can also be used as “gateways” to increase awareness of your practice within any one (or MORE) of those regulatory bodies. Once you’re on their radar, your quiet “little” practice that may be off the beaten path, will magically have inspectors beating a fresh path to your front door…FREQUENTLY!
So while you may have invested in all of the outward “signs” of success for your practice – a dedicated professional team, state-of-the-art equipment, the top EHR integrated software, a plush and welcoming reception and patient areas – without those ACTUAL signs internally, you place all of those other investments in serious jeopardy!