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Fam Pract Manag. 2007;14(9):11

I read “Huddles: Improve Office Efficiency in Mere Minutes” [June 2007] with great interest, and I commend Elizabeth E. Stewart, PhD, and Barbara C. Johnson, PhD, on the simple tips they offered to make huddles an effective practice management tool. I would add that the discussion of patients with special needs should be an integral and important part of the huddle agenda. Because of improved life expectancies, we see growing numbers of patients with disabilities in our practices. Taking a few minutes to anticipate and address any special needs these patients may have will improve both patient and physician satisfaction with their visits. For example, you may determine that Mrs. Jones needs to be seen in the wheelchair-accessible exam room or that Mr. Smith needs to be taken to an exam room immediately upon arrival because he gets agitated in the waiting area. In addition, orders for medical supplies and equipment can be discussed and signed off on by the physician. Huddles can be of great assistance in our efforts to improve our care of patients with special needs.

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