Many doctors dream of opening their own medical practice, as it allows them far more freedom than they might receive in a hospital system. In a private practice, doctors generally have a loyal client base, and they can get to know their patients over many years rather than seeing them only once or twice in a whole career. They can also make their own hours and focus entirely on the types of procedures they’re interested in.
It’s no wonder that so many doctors consider opening their own private practice after they’ve established themselves in the medical community. There are many considerations and tasks to complete upon opening a private practice, from finding an electronic medical records vendor to hiring quality employees who are very skilled in their disciplines.
Something that should absolutely be included in that preparation is a plan to have all employees, from receptionists to nursing assistants, certified in Basic Life Support, or BLS. Even if you never believe that you would face a medical emergency in your practice, especially if you are in a specialty like podiatry or optometry, you still need to ensure every single employee is capable of saving a life – here’s why.
Emergencies escalate quickly, and you may not be able to get there in time
As a doctor, you are likely more than capable of intervening in a medical emergency, as are your nurses and nursing assistants. However, you also know that medical emergencies can progress at a lightning pace, and you may not be able to provide care right away if you’re not directly in the room.
Here’s a short but realistic scenario. You’ve finished up with your last patient until lunch and are heading out to grab a bite to eat at a local cafe. Near the end of your meal, a patient arrives in your clinic to check in for their appointment, the first one on your schedule after lunch. While you’re on your way back, the patient starts to feel poorly but doesn’t notify the receptionist, figuring that they can handle it on their own.
Suddenly they collapse and fall unconscious, and the receptionist panics, calling for help, but the nurses are too far away. By the time you return from lunch, the patient has already gone into cardiac arrest, and while you try to perform CPR, nothing works. The patient dies on your waiting room floor, all because you happened not to be there when it happened.
This isn’t a far-fetched scenario, and it emphasizes why it’s so important that all of your employees be enrolled in a convenient and affordable BLS for Healthcare Providers Certification Class, such as those offered by Pro Trainings.
You can be liable if a patient suffers an emergency on your premises
One of the dangers of opening a private practice is that you have to carry almost all of the liability insurance a hospital would but on a much tighter budget. Not only do you need your own medical malpractice insurance, but you also need all the typical insurance that any business requires to protect themselves if there is an accident or emergency on the premises.
Insurance companies need to see that you have done everything possible to reduce the risk of death or injury in your practice, and that includes having competent employees who can intervene when someone gets injured. Everyone in the practice, regardless of whether they have medical training or not, should be prepared to assist in an emergency, as this will be of great benefit should you ever be sued for medical malpractice or wrongful death.
Online BLS certification is the best way to protect your private practice
When you learned Basic Life Support as a doctor, you likely did so as part of your overall medical training; it’s expected that, no matter what discipline you’re in, you’re capable of intervening in an emergency. However, this may not serve true for everyone you employ, especially if they are office support. Online BLS certification is the best way to ensure that everyone in your business knows how to help in an emergency.
Online BLS certification provides thorough and effective training at a low cost and a convenient method. Your employees can complete the course on their own time and at their own pace, so you don’t need to worry about disrupting the flow of business by training everyone in Basic Life Support.
You can set a deadline for your employees to complete the course, then allow them to take it at their own pace outside of work. When they finish, they’ll receive a certificate good for two years to prove that they are now proficient in life-saving methods.
With a private practice, you can’t take any risks when it comes to medical malpractice and wrongful death lawsuits, which is why it’s so important that all of your employees receive training in Basic Life Support. It’s easier than ever to ensure any of your staff can jump in to save a life through online BLS certification courses, which should be at the top of your priority list when organizing your new business.
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