Becker's ASC Review

14 ASC MANAGEMENT How 2 ASC leaders are thinking about independent physician recruitment By Carly Behm T wo ASC administrators told Becker's ASC Review their strategies for bringing inde- pendent physicians to their centers. Note: Responses were edited for style and clarity. Becky Ziegler-Otis. Administrator at Ambu- latory Surgery Center of Stevens Point (Wis.): We rely upon our surgeon offices to identify physicians interested in joining their group. Their search includes identifying opportunities to address gaps in services that are currently provided, such as identifying a surgeon who uses the anterior approach for hip replace- ments. Once physician candidates are identi- fied, they are provided a tour of the surgical center, allowing them to spend time with key staff such as the administrator, the clinical di- rector and the materials manager to learn more about the quality of care and patient satisfac- tion metrics of the surgical center as well as what it has to offer them as a surgeon. Raghu Reddy. Administrator at SurgCenter of Western Maryland (Cumberland): We discuss the physician's needs, concerns and preferences early on and show how our ASC can create value for his patients while provid- ing excellent care, outcomes and satisfaction scores. There could be a lot of choices for an ASC based on the location. In our area, we are the only ASC in the county. We invite the surgeons to tour the center and coordinate a discussion with other surgeons and share their experiences. We need to outline the quality of equipment, competent staff and anesthesia pro- viders. For example, for orthopedic surgeons, blocks are essential, so the anesthesia providers should have excellent block skills with a can-do attitude. The administrators should provide a 360-degree view of all the benefits their ASC provides and why they are different from oth- ers if there is a choice. n Why an independent ASC in California steers clear of private equity By Patsy Newitt T he ASC industry has seen an influx of private equity interest, consolidating the industry. Ophthalmologist Richard Lee, MD, who works at Oakland, Calif.-based Eye MD Laser & Surgery Center, spoke with Becker's ASC Review on why his ASC hasn't sold to private equity firms, despite offers. Question: Is private equity investment good or bad for ASCs? Why? Dr. Lee: I've been approached by several private equity companies, as well as gone through long negotiation processes with a large hospital system who wanted to buy the majority interest in our surgery center. Those deals all failed because the contracts were difficult to deal with. I had several meetings with private equity companies and got very attrac- tive offers, but in my final analysis I felt that their philosophy didn't fit with the way I wanted it to. I felt that we'd be better off with a less business-ori- ented approach. I consider myself and my facilities a medical profession, and there's a specific red line that I wouldn't cross to prioritize business. Unfortunately, private equity just moves the industry in that direction. Surgery is based on the best interest for patients, not what's the best interest of the enterprise. Private equity companies will say they are concerned about patient care, but the bottom line is they're moti- vated by profit. We are a fairly successful surgery center and we don't have much com- petition. I don't have any financial motives based on what they could of- fer. I have access to capital. We feel we run very well. We can always hire consultants. I can negotiate good contracts, and I can buy equipment. I don't see an advantage other than a good price we don't need. n Arkansas physician-owned orthopedic hospital expanding: 4 details By Laura Dyrda A rkansas Surgical Hospital, a physician-owned orthopedics hos- pital in North Little Rock, Ark., is adding two operating rooms. Four details: 1. The project, which will also add three recovery beds in the post- anesthesia care unit, will add 4,590 square feet to the hospital and is expected to finish by the end of 2021. 2. The hospital will have 13 operating rooms. Hospital CEO Brian Fowler said the space is needed after the hospital added five sur- geons last year. 3. The hospital has 18 physician owners practicing orthopedics, spine and pain management. 4. Arkansas Surgical Hospital has a 0.5 percent infection rate, below the national average of 3 percent, and was the only hospital in Ar- kansas named among Healthgrades' 100 best U.S. hospitals for spine surgery in 2020. n

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