A chiropractic clinic must have an efficient patient flow and optimal treating capacity. As your practice receives more and more clients for consultations and adjustments, you and your staff will get busy as well. Overloaded schedules and inadequate resources can lead to several challenges and negative consequences such as prolonged waiting times and patient dissatisfaction.

But, if your practice has efficient processes in place, people can receive timely access to quality care. There will be no more struggle to keep up with the patient demand, and you can expect an increased revenue potential as you have the capability to cater to many clients.

Here are some strategies on how you can sustain your thriving chiropractic business:

Work on Pre-Appointment Assessments

Before the actual visit of the patient, have them fill out online forms or questionnaires. This helps you better understand the condition of the patient in advance. Consider factors such as the specific needs of the individual and type of appointment.

Avoid overbooking and ensure realistic scheduling to prevent delays. All staff must understand the maximum number of visits that the doctor can see which, in turn, allows your clinic to stick to a schedule that allows business growth and profitability but not at the expense of patient care and experience.

Streamline Check-In Process

Put self-check-in kiosks in the waiting area of your chiropractic clinic. Equip these kiosks with touch screens, allowing clients to check themselves in upon arrival. They can enter their appointment details and verify personal information electronically. Make sure that you have clear instructions to guide patients through the process.

Assign staff members near the online check-in area to help patients who encounter technical difficulties and answer any questions they may have. This check-in process minimizes paperwork and waiting times, allowing you to see patients quicker.

Make Accessibility Less Complicated

Designate ample parking spaces for your clinic visitors. Make sure they are well-marked and easily accessible. Take into consideration the parking spots for those with mobility challenges. As such, install ramps or elevators, and ensure clear pathways within the premises. Do not forget about providing accessible restroom facilities.

Also, give clear directions to your location on your website or social media accounts. Include landmarks and maps to help clients navigate to your clinic easily. You may provide step-by-step directions from various locations or integrate GPS coordinates to simplify the process.

Implement Block Scheduling

Block scheduling is essentially your office blocking off a period of time to cater to certain types of appointments. In our office, we have two: the exam and consulting block and the therapies and adjusting block. We typically start the day with a therapies and consulting block for an hour and a half then transition to an exam and consulting block for an hour. Then, we have another therapies and consulting block for an hour before ending the morning shift with another exam and consulting block.

With this in place we are able to efficiently manage patient flow and optimize treatment times. Patients are more than happy to follow this schedule, but it’s important that you train them to respect the block scheduling.

Establish a Sense of Accountability

Communicate your objectives and expectations regarding patient flow and treating capacity to your staff members and hold them to a high standard. Everyone must understand their roles in achieving the goals of the practice. Encourage your team to participate in the strategic process and take responsibility for the performance of your office.

To help you with this, review the KPIs of your clinic related to patient flow and treatment capacity.  This includes determining metrics of client visit duration, waiting times, and satisfaction rate. Discuss these KPIs with your staff and use this time to provide feedback on performance.

All in all, a smooth patient flow and treating capacity contribute to a positive experience in your chiropractic clinic. This can lead to increased patient retention and loyalty. And you can make the most of this loyalty by asking them to spread the word about chiropractic care and how it has helped them improve their quality of life. Learn how to ask for patient referrals by watching this video. We even included a one page script that you can download.