Dr. Scott, MD returns as IHCRC's Medical Director

Michael Scott, MD returned to work for Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa (IHCRC) for the third time in February 2007. Since 1995, Dr. Scott left his employment with Indian Health Care twice to pursue humanitarian efforts in South Africa where he assisted in building a hospice and a church. His return to IHCRC in February correlated with the retirement of our former medical director, Robert S. Lawson, DO. Dr. Scott has served as the Interim Medical Director since that time and was just recently named Indian Health Care's Medical Director.

Being the first new medical director in over a decade, Dr. Scott was asked if changes are in store for the Medical department. "Historically, one can see the benefit that Dr. Lawson brought to the Medical department at IHCRC from 1995 to 2007 as a seasoned physician. Without question, he has made a big difference in the delivery of quality care here. I can only hope to improve on what he has put in place," said Dr. Scott.

One seemingly small change that will have a huge impact on the day to day operations at IHCRC is the changing of walk-ins to same day appointments. Previously, the walk-in clinic resembled a cattle call both in appearance and process. The first two to four hours of operation, providers were doing their best to see all patients, sickest first. But, not all patients could be seen. If a patient was not here when his or her name was called, he/she lost his/her place in line. For those patients that were seen, some were upset due to long wait times and the stress involved with not knowing if he/she would be seen.

Same day appointments provide patients with appointment slips that have an exact time to be seen by a specific provider. This allows patients the option of leaving the premises to return at the appointed time. It also alleviates the frustration of long wait times and the stress of not knowing if you will get in to see the provider or not. From the implementation of same day appointments, the patient's expectation has changed and patient satisfaction has greatly increased. It also brings value to the patient of his or her appointment time; they are much more likely to show up or to call and cancel an appointment than previously. "The fact that patients will get sick the night before and need to be seen the next day wonÕt change. What we do to make ourselves more efficient, can," said Dr. Scott.

Projected Changes

IHCRC is hiring a dedicated Immunization Nurse to provide all immunizations to patients. This will take some of the burden off of the pediatrician and her medical assistant. There will also be set days for kids to have back-to-school physicals in dental, optometry and medical departments. These specific clinics are primarily geared at elementary school aged children who need to get immunizations. Having back to school clinics will take the stress off of parents that need physical exams for their children for entry into school. A Well Child exam will be included.

Upcoming Back-to-School clinic dates:

Monday, July 30 - 8:00 am to Noon

Monday, August 13 - 8:00 am to Noon

Dr. Scott also mentioned the addition of a full-time dentist to IHCRC's staff in July. This is in addition to the part-time dentist currently working for IHCRC, Teri Reed-Cook, DDS.

IHCRC is in the evaluation process for implementation of Electronic Medical Records. "Digital records can't happen soon enough in my opinion. It will be helpful for all departments not just the medical department," said Dr. Scott. One of the biggest advantages of having digital records will be the immediate accessibility of updated prescription information for Pharmacy staff to issue prescriptions to patients expeditiously.

Reminder calls for upcoming appointments will soon be made by an automated telephonic system.