Orthotown March 2013 - (Page 6)

wired for // success Big Brother is Watching by Alan A. Curtis, DDS, MS, Editorial Director, Orthotown Magazine Today’s orthodontic office is no different than any other business. We “CEO” orthodontists need to have tight control over the data and images our orthodontic teams present to the public at large. How many times have you noticed video security cameras at gas stations, retail stores, hotels and other service industries? They are all over the place! Once you start looking for them, they are ubiquitous. This article is a case for video monitoring of your orthodontic office. My experience with video monitoring began when I built out my first office in 2006. I wanted to be able to monitor (for security purposes) the entries and exits of my practice. I placed cameras at my front desk pointing at the front entry door and at the break room staff entrance and exit. Additionally, I placed one camera in my treatment bay and another in my waiting room to be able to see what was going on with patient flow and after-hours emergencies. In my next office I’ll be sure to double the number of cameras. Due to the fact that I have team members who work at the office when I am out at continuing education, family vacations and other business meetings, I wanted to be able to monitor the work ethic of those left behind to keep the business moving. While the cat is away the mice shall play! Costco, Fry’s Electronics and other online retailers have all-in-one video surveillance kits (brands: Swann, Lorex, Q-See). This is best installed when new construction or office remodeling occurs as wired connections for both video and power are required. Some wireless systems exist but reliability is an issue. These kits consist of cameras, DVR (large hard drive controllers) and remote viewing software. Once you have the cameras and DVR installed, remote viewing (computer and phone) can be set up with the assistance of your neighborhood IT specialist. Cam. 1 Cam. 4 I find it useful to monitor parents’ behavior in the waiting room to see how comfortable they are and to assist in seeing how the staff greet and dismiss patients. Additionally, when I’m running late from a marketing lunch meeting with a referring dentist, I can check the status of my 1 p.m. patients via video. I have had instances when a single mother staff member has brought her sick children to work without permission. Employees who Cam. 2 Cam. 3 frequently “forget” to clock in or out can be verified on the time stamp of the video when entering or exiting the practice. I know what you are thinking! It’s OK to feel weird about video monitoring your office. I used to think the same thing, but this is standard operating procedure in most businesses. Do you have questions about legality and other ethical issues? Check with your state laws for information about what is legal in your state. This is one of the single best technology impleCamera #1: Front desk pocketing cash, stapler, office supplies and stamps. mentations I’ve done over the course of my short career, second Camera #2: Mom who feels that for the amount of money she is paying for only to monitoring telephone conversations (next month’s braces she deserves to take that People Magazine home! topic). Let’s go online and discuss the nuances of video moniCamera #3: Employee taking an assistant chair home. toring in your orthodontic office. ■ Camera #4: Employee taking some well-deserved time off, while on the clock. “This is one of the single best technology implementations I’ve done over the course of my short career” 6 MARCH 2013 // orthotown.com http://www.orthotown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Orthotown March 2013

Orthotown.com Highlights
Wired for Success: Big Brother is Watching
Where to Put a TAD
What’s the Right Ratio of Front/ Back Staff?
Class I Malocclusion Severe Crowding, Severe OJ, Missing LL3 CBCT Video
You Should Know: Renew Digital
You Can’t Manage What You Can’t Measure
A Protocol for Creating Images from CBVI for the Practicing Orthodontist, Part I
Are Your Patients Included in Your Training Plan?
Delegation of Duties in Orthodontic Practice
Ad Index

Orthotown March 2013