How to open an orthopedic health clinic

Opening an orthopedic health clinic is daunting, but it doesn’t need to be. It's essential to have a plan in place before you dive into opening your business because having a solid blueprint will help keep you on track and ensure success. An orthopedic clinic can also be a costly venture. With treatments and equipment adding up, you need to prepare yourself for the financial burden of opening a health clinic. It's important that you understand the goals when opening your own practice.

In the first part of this blog, we will discuss the basic steps you will need to take in order to start your new business. I promise that it won’t take long, and once you have a basic understanding you can always expand on it as time progresses.

Before we continue, we need to know: Do you already know the system for health clinics Ninsaúde Apolo? The Ninsaúde Apolo medical software has an agile and complete agenda, personalized electronic medical records for each specialty, and with legal validity, teleconsultation, financial control, health insurance billing, and much more. Schedule a demo or try the Ninsaúde Apolo medical clinic system right now!

Have a business plan

Everything starts with a business plan. And you can start simple, make an executive summary that provides an overview of your health clinic business plan and should effectively communicate the key aspects of your clinic. It serves as a snapshot of your entire plan and should highlight the most critical points, such as your clinic's mission, services offered, target market, competitive advantage, and financial projections. If you more tips about it you can check our blog "How to make a business plan for clinics".

You also need to study the market, this step is crucial for understanding the demand for your services and identifying growth opportunities. Inside the market, you can divide it into three different topics: Target Market, Competitive Analysis, and Industry Trends.

Target Market helps you to define your ideal patient demographic, including age range, gender, location, income level, and specific healthcare needs. Explain why this market segment is attractive and how your clinic will address their needs effectively. In the Competitive Analysis, you need to identify and analyze your direct and indirect competitors. Assess their strengths, weaknesses, services offered, pricing, and market share. Highlight your clinic's unique value proposition and competitive advantage that sets you apart from the competition. As for the trends, it is always important to be updated on any new technologies in the healthcare industry and how they may impact your clinic. This can include technological advancements, changes in healthcare policies and regulations, shifts in patient preferences, and emerging treatment modalities.

And, last, but not least, make an operational plan that outlines the practical aspects of running your health clinic. It covers various operational considerations, including a description of the healthcare services your clinic will provide, such as orthopedic surgery, physical therapy, rehabilitation, or diagnostic imaging. Explain the specific procedures, equipment, and facilities required to offer these services. Discuss any plans for expansion or additional services in the future.

Outline the day-to-day operations of your clinic, including appointment scheduling, patient intake, medical record management, billing and coding procedures, inventory management, and quality assurance protocols. And for all that, you will need an EHR - Electronic Health Record to ensure smooth workflow, efficiency, and high-quality patient care. For that we recommend the EHR Ninsaúde Apolo, you can check more about it in "Advantages of using the Ninsaúde Apolo electronic medical record" and "How does Ninsaúde Apolo help orthopedists in care?".

Address the legal and regulatory requirements necessary to operate a health clinic, such as obtaining licenses and permits, complying with healthcare privacy laws (HIPAA), and meeting medical recordkeeping standards. Describe your strategies for maintaining compliance and minimizing legal risks. And for all that Ninsaúde Apolo also helps you, since our software already complies with HIPAA and other security parameters.

Infrastructure

Well, now you've conducted marketing research and you did your planning, what then? You need to find a perfect location. That means that you need to find a location that is easily accessible for your target patient population. Consider factors such as proximity to hospitals, referral sources, parking availability, and visibility. And that is also easily accessible for people with disabilities or mobility difficulties. Prioritize patient satisfaction and provide high-quality care. Foster a patient-centric environment where patients feel comfortable, well-informed, and valued. Ensure the facility meets the necessary zoning and regulatory requirements for a medical clinic.

Research and obtain all the required licenses and permits to legally operate an orthopedic health clinic in your area. This typically includes registering your business, acquiring a tax identification number, and obtaining professional licenses for healthcare providers.

Some areas that you may consider when choosing a location may be urban/suburban areas with high population density, proximity to medical facilities, competition analysis, accessibility and convenience, and local economic conditions.

After you find a location, establish the necessary infrastructure for your clinic, including examination rooms, waiting areas, reception desk, administrative offices, and a secure storage area for medical records - that is, if you still use paper records. If you do use paper records, you may consider changing to an EHR, which not only saves you space but also is more secure, you can read more about it on "Advantages of Ninsaúde Apolo for orthopedists". Purchase or lease high-quality medical equipment, including diagnostic tools, treatment devices, and other specialized orthopedic equipment.

Laws and regulations

Here we have to say that laws and regulations will depend, laws concerning a health clinic focused on orthopedics can vary depending on the country and jurisdiction in which the clinic operates. Some common legal consideration that may apply to an orthopedic health clinic is the requirement to obtain appropriate licenses and registrations to operate legally.

An orthopedic health clinic must comply with various healthcare regulations to ensure patient safety and quality of care. These regulations may cover areas such as patient privacy and confidentiality (e.g., Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act - HIPAA in the United States), medical recordkeeping, informed consent, infection control, and clinical protocols. And also the clinic must adhere to standards of care to minimize the risk of medical malpractice. This includes providing competent and appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. The clinic should have appropriate malpractice insurance coverage to protect against potential claims, and for that, Ninsaúde Apolo also can help you with, check "Insurance for Doctors: Ninsaúde Apolo Safe Clinic".

And of course, any clinic must comply with anti-discrimination laws that prohibit discrimination based on characteristics such as race, gender, age, disability, or religion. These laws ensure equal access to healthcare services and fair treatment of patients and employees.

Main and Complementary Services

To enhance the services provided by an orthopedic health clinic and cater to a broader patient base, you can consider offering additional complementary services. Include a physical therapy department within your clinic to provide rehabilitation services to patients recovering from orthopedic surgeries or injuries. Physical therapy can help improve mobility, strength, and overall function.

Provide comprehensive pain management services to patients with chronic or acute pain related to orthopedic conditions. This may involve non-surgical treatments, medication management, injections, or referral for interventional pain procedures. In orthopedics, you may need to equip your clinic with diagnostic imaging capabilities such as X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound. This allows for convenient and timely imaging services, aiding in the diagnosis and treatment planning process, and also helps to improve the finances, if you have everything in one place, the patient is more likely to make every procedure and exam in your clinic.

Offer custom orthotics and prosthetics services to patients in need of specialized footwear, braces, or artificial limbs. This can involve collaborations with orthotics and prosthetists to provide comprehensive care. Emphasize the importance of preventive care and overall wellness. Offer services such as health screenings, lifestyle counseling, nutritional guidance, and exercise programs to promote long-term orthopedic health.

Telemedicine services gain its space when the COVID-19 pandemic started and it is here to stay. Ninsaúde Apolo has a feature to provide remote consultations, follow-ups, or post-operative care. This can improve accessibility for patients, particularly those in remote areas or with mobility limitations, learn how to use it on our blog "Covid-19 and telemedicine: how to carry out prescriptions".

So, did you like the tips? Keep following the blog for more content like this. Are you a healthcare professional but still don't use management software? Get to know the system for clinics Ninsaúde Apolo.