Practice Management
Theft Prevention
Next in a series of easy, quick management tips that you can implement in your practice today in less than an hour.
Regardless of whether your business is located in a large metropolitan area or a small town, it is vulnerable to theft. Past columns have touched on internal issues for the ECP to be proactive including inventory management, employee monitoring and internal controls. This column will focus on external threats. Unfortunately, if your facility is not properly protected, these tips are going to take more than an hour and perhaps up to several thousand dollars to correct. The following are a few areas that may need attention:
A thorough review of your office insurance to be certain that the replacement costs are current and have kept up with your expansion and inflation. Be sure the amount covers not only the inventory, but the cost of damage to fixtures, display cases, doors, windows and walls.
Is your security system commensurate with the location of your office?
Do you have cameras, perimeter and motion detection, panic alarms, security gates and secure locks? Is your alarm permit current?
Review the internal and external lighting for security of your patients and staff after dark as well as after hours. Is the parking lot safe?
Is the landscaping around the exits and windows appropriate?
Review and understand your business interruption insurance.
Dr. Dubick prepares private practice appraisals, lectures and writes on many practice management issues. He may be reached at 818.843.2214 or email at dubick@studioeyes.com.
