Right now, every industry is facing a turning point. After months of social distancing protocols and more than a quarter of slowed business, states are beginning to reopen and the country is taking steps to return to a new normal. But what does this new normal look like? Businesses of all sizes are looking at a new landscape of protocols that will change the way teams operate and interact with customers and coworkers.
For healthcare professionals, who have long followed guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for safety, this means changing the ways they prep for and work with patients. To comply with the government’s recommended guidelines, providers will have to take longer with patients and account for more time between appointments to ensure thorough and proper sanitization, leading to potentially fewer patient visits a day and, therefore, slower turnover rates.
This reduced availability for the sake of safety will expose practitioners to financial risk. With FICO scores likely dropping and more stringent rules being placed on conventional third-party financing, they will also likely see their patients face difficulties in affording procedures.
Alongside the increasing costs and demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), these factors will ultimately lead to providers seeing a decrease in profits. While the potential continuation of the pandemic continues to be a concern, planning for success while evaluating and monitoring the situation is a best practice for all business leaders.
When approaching this new way of working, healthcare business owners now must be thoughtful and creative in the way they structure their operations. After months of limited business, the road to recovery will be bumpy, but there are steps providers can take that will ease the pressure. By following these tips during this straining time, practicing will be less stressful and provide the financial base you need to stay profitable.