Due to the global pandemic, acupuncture clinics are facing a new set of challenges. Practitioners are spending more time sanitizing and ensuring their offices are set up for social distancing; and are often forced to see fewer patients because of having to dedicate their time to other efforts. Times are frightening and many patients are still cautious about leaving the comfort of their homes, so it's crucial to take the proper precautions to make patients feel comfortable and keep them healthy and safe.
The Benefits of Outsourcing
Acupuncturists' passion is treating patients and developing personal relationships, and one way to create more time for that is to partner with a TCM pharmacy and dispensing system that offers a drop-ship service. By doing so, you are able to free up more time in your schedule and take that responsibility off your plate. In addition, it eliminates the extra costs associated with running an in-clinic pharmacy, such as inventory and extra staff costs. This service also increases safety and health measures by eliminating avoidable person-to-person interaction.
If you work with an outside pharmacy, patients are still able to get their prescriptions filled in a quick manner and feel comfortable knowing they are receiving safe and accurate prescriptions.
Do Your Homework
While choosing to work with an outside pharmacy takes the responsibility off you, the practitioner, you'll want to do your research to make sure you are choosing the right one for your practice. It's best to choose an established, reputable company that offers the latest technology. The vendors you chose to work with are an extension and reflection of your clinic, so it is important to take your time when choosing.
One thing to consider is the process and technology the pharmacy utilizes. For instance, you should know if it features automated dispensing, if it has a built-in error checking system, and the accuracy level of its measuring system. Regarding specific herbs, granules and ingredients, it's important to know where they are sourced from, how they are processed and each concentration ratio.
If you are a practitioner still using raw herbs, you should consider switching to modern, ready-to-use granules. Switching to granules eliminates the time spent on proper cooking and preparation. You can save time and provide your patients granules that are effective, convenient and safe with minimal additives, eliminating risks as to the efficacy of the prescription.
The pharmacy you choose to work with should have a large inventory. If it keeps hundreds of granules in stock, patients will receive them quicker. When discussing the drop-ship service, be sure to ask about how long it takes to ship out orders, as some companies offer same-day shipment if the prescription is received by a certain time. The process should be quick and easy for both practitioner and patients.
Practical Takeaway
Now more than ever, health is top of mind. People want to stay healthy, and when visiting a medical practice, they want to know proper measures are being taken. By eliminating the time and money spent on operating an in-clinic pharmacy, you can spend more time doing what matters most – providing dedicated care and comfort to your patients.
Chronic pain afflicts over 20% of the adult population. Sadly, most MDs have essentially no education in treating pain, beyond offering a few toxic medications. Then they tend to steer people with pain away from those health practitioners who are trained. This puts the acupuncture community on the front lines for addressing this epidemic.
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