Chapter 5 - Using and maintaining office equipment. After studying this chapter you will be able to understand: Describe the types of office equipment used in a medical practice, explain how each piece of office equipment is used, list the steps in making purchasing decisions for office equipment, compare and contrast leasing and buying,...
PowerPoint® to accompany Medical Assisting Chapter Second Edition Ramutkowski • Booth • Pugh • Thompson • Whicker Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc Permission required for reproduction or display Using and Maintaining Office Equipment Objectives 51 Describe the types of office equipment used in a medical practice 52 Explain how each piece of office equipment is used 53 List the steps in making purchasing decisions for office equipment 54 Compare and contrast leasing and buying Using and Maintaining Office Equipment (cont.) Objectives 55 Describe a warranty, a maintenance contract, and a service contract, and discuss the importance of each 56 Identify when troubleshooting is appropriate, and what actions may be taken 57 List the information included in an equipment inventory Office Communication Equipment Medical Equipment Blood Pressure Monitors Stethoscopes Xray machine Business Communication Equipment Telephones Facsimile machines Computers Photocopiers Technology today allows for almost instantaneous information to be transmitted throughout the world Telephone Systems Multiple Lines Answering Machine A switchboard is commonly used and calls are rerouted to the appropriate extension Recorded message from the office that may also allow the caller to leave a message Automated Menu A recorded menu that prompts listeners to press a number to be connected to a certain person/department Voice Mail An advanced answering machine system Answering Service People actually answer the phones instead of answering machines Pagers Small electronic devices that pick up a signal and beep, buzz, or vibrate when activated Used to reach physicians when they are out of the office Many can display a message and even store numbers, so a return call can be made Once connected to the pager, most require that the return number be entered followed by the pound sign (#) Facsimile Machines Scans each page Translates image into electronic impulses Transmits impulses via a phone line Converts impulses into exact duplicate of original document Typewriters Used to create: Correspondence Interoffice documents Medical forms from other offices/organizations Patient Bills Electronic typewriters can store limited amounts of information Word Processors can store entire documents in memory Apply Your Knowledge Answer A personal emergency call has been received for the physician of a medical office, but the physician is not present. Which of the following mediums should the medical assistant use to contact the physician? Answering Service Answering Machine Voice Mail Pager Office Automation Equipment Equipment Description Photocopiers Instantly reproduces documents. Also called copy machines Adding Machines & Perform routine office arithmetic calculations. Calculators Postage Meters Apply postage to mailings & eliminates need for stamps Postage Scales Shows weight & cost to mail packages 10 DictationTranscription Equipment Transcribes the recorded words into a written document Physicians indicate date and type of document being dictated Names, addresses, and unfamiliar terms are spelled by physician as he/she dictates information Speech is made clearer by: Volume controls Tone controls Speed controls that separate words 11 Check Writers A machine that imprints checks Name of payee and amount of check once imprinted cannot be changed If incorrect information is entered, the check must be voided Write the word “void” in clear letters across the check or use stamp with red ink 12 Paper Shredders Machines that destroy documents by cutting them into small pieces Used to protect patient information when records or forms are disposed of. 13 Microfilm and Microfiche Readers Microfilm is a roll of film imprinted with information and stored on a reel Microfiche is film imprinted with information and stored on rectangular sheets Information stored is reduced in size dramatically, and both require a different mechanism to read them Accurate labeling and dating assists with locating both document formats 14 Apply Your Knowledge Answer The medical assistant is newly employed in a medical practice that has been in existence for over 35 years. A patient is seen in the office for the first time since an initial visit 20years ago. Where should the medical assistant consider looking for the initial medical record? Search either the office microfilm or microfiche source 15 Purchasing Decisions Evaluating Office Needs Contacting Suppliers Preparing Recommendations Evaluating Warranty Options 16 Leasing vs. Buying Equipment Buying equipment affords owners to do whatever they choose, even sell the item(s) purchased Leasing (renting) requires less outofpocket money, and rental cost may be negotiable Equipment is usually serviced by the leasing company At the end of each lease period equipment can be updated 17 Apply Your Knowledge Answer A large medical practice requires several photocopy machines and faxes.Would they be better off leasing or buying their office automation equipment? Support your answer Leasing would be the least expensive option since the leasing company would be responsible for servicing the equipment. Large offices could save a fortune and obtain uptodate equipment with the leasing option 18 Maintaining Office Equipment Equipment Manuals Maintenance contracts specify when equipment will be cleaned & repaired. Service contracts cover services not included in standard maintenance contract. The manual that comes with each piece of equipment indicating operation and special features Maintenance & Service Contracts 19 Maintaining Office Equipment (cont.) Troubleshooting Steps Call manufacturer or place purchased Consult the equipment manual Test machine & record any error messages Eliminate possible simple causes 20 Equipment Inventory A method of documenting and tracking equipment purchases Detailed Inventory Forms may include: Name of Equipment Description Model & Registration Numbers Date & Place of Purchase Product Warranty & Estimated Life Maintenance & Service Contracts 21 Apply Your Knowledge Answer The medical office has just opened, and the medical assistant needs to make photocopies of two patient records, but the photocopy machine is not working. What should be done first by the medical assistant? Make sure that the machine is plugged in and turned on in addition to other simple operation procedures like being sure the “power saver” is not activated 22 End of Chapter End of Chapter 23 ... for office equipment 5 4 Compare and contrast leasing and buying Using and Maintaining Office Equipment (cont.) Objectives 5 5 Describe a warranty, a maintenance contract, and a service contract, and discuss the ...Using and Maintaining Office Equipment Objectives 5 1 Describe the types of office equipment used in a medical practice 5 2 Explain how each piece of office equipment is used 5 3 List the steps in making purchasing decisions ... importance of each 5 6 Identify when troubleshooting is appropriate, and what actions may be taken 5 7 List the information included in an equipment inventory Office Communication Equipment Medical Equipment