Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why should a cardiac, vascular or imaging service line or physician practice use an outside consultant?
A: RB&A believes that there is a great difference between "having the same experience for 10 years and having 10 years' experience". Outside consultants bring objectivity, a different perspective and much needed experience to a project and provide a "new set of eyes" to see things that are often overlooked by practice or hospital personnel. For example, it's not unusual for our consultants to ask clients when assessing an inefficient process "why is that particular process performed that way?' to hear the response, "I don't know, we just always have done it that way." RB&A consultants act as a catalysts in bringing about needed and meaningful change to an organization. We help clients see new opportunities and find innovative solutions to their problems.
Q: Why should we choose to use RB&A's services over another consulting firm?
A: RB&A consultants have "hands on" experience working in the hospital and physician practice settings. In addition, the majority of our consultants have graduate degrees in business and healthcare related disciplines to include MBAs, MHAs and RNs. We approach each consulting engagement without any preconceived ideas or solutions. We don't take "your problem" and put it into "our solution". We seek to understand each client's unique situation, conditions, problems, needs and opportunities before developing and recommending solutions. Our consultants' experiences in working with clients in nearly 45 of the states provides us with a wealth of knowledge and experience that we bring to each client engagement. Additionally, other consulting firms in the specialty recognize our expertise and the value of our services and have sought our assistance when faced with difficult situations involved in or arising from their consulting engagements. We have worked with, and on behalf of, other consulting firms when they have needed expert witness testimony or assistance with client work.
Q: Travel expenses are a major concern for our institution. What are you doing to reduce travel expenses in the current economic environment?
A
: RB&A strives to be the most cost-effective consulting firm for traveling expenses. We understand that travel expenses can add up quickly. We strive to obtain the best prices available for flights, hotels and car rentals by scheduling site visits far enough in advance to take advantage of any discounts offered. In addition, RB&A consultants strive to schedule site visits with clients in the same geographical region during the same week to share flight costs, where possible. For example, if RB&A consultants visit two clients during the same week during the same outbound and inbound flight travel schedule, RB&A divides the outbound/ inbound flight costs between the clients; we don't double bill the outbound/ inbound flight separately to both clients. We don't believe that travel should be a revenue center for the firm.We also use available on-line meeting technology, where feasible, to reduce site visits for interim visits. This process also assists in developing the client-consultant relationship as the client directs the on-line meeting with the consultants in the background helping provide/ present the material / presentation.