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Thought Leadership
How an ASC formed 2 robotic surgery programs during COVID-19
By Patsy Newitt
W
hen hospitals paused elective surgeries and cut
spending during the COVID-19 pandemic, some
ASCs chose to invest in technology to facilitate
growth.
Stefanie Moertz, RN, administrator of Los Angeles-based
DOCS Surgical Hospital, spoke with Becker's ASC Review
about how her center managed to create a robotic-assisted
orthopedic and spine program during the COVID-19 pan-
demic.
Editor's note: Responses were edited lightly for clarity and
brevity.
Question: What are you most proud of in your time as
administrator?
Stefanie Moertz: I am most proud of helping to create
two very successful orthopedic and spine robotic-assisted
programs in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. DOCS
Health didn't just survive COVID-19 — we flourished in it. As
major hospitals cancelled cases and closed doors, we were
able to successfully and safely transfer the care of a typical
hospital patient to the outpatient setting — a feat most major
hospitals were unable to timely coordinate.
Without furloughs, reductions in employee hours or major
disruptions to caseload, we harnessed the power of the
most cutting-edge surgical technology to keep business go-
ing and thriving.
I know it seems counterintuitive, but as major hospitals
reduced spending, we actually chose to invest more. DOCS
Health invested in two Stryker Mako Robots, the Medtronic
Mazor and the Globus Excelsius GPS Robotic Navigation.
We more than doubled down on the safety, efficiency and
quality of patient care.
There is a new paradigm in outpatient orthopedic and spine
surgery — robotic assistance. What was once only fantasy
is now reality. I am extremely proud and honored to have
served on a multidisciplinary team of like-minded health-
care workers who put patient care, safety and satisfaction
in the forefront through the utilization of technological
advancement.
What's next? Surgeons on hoverboards? n
Go to events.beckershospitalreview.com/2021-asc-27th-annual-meeting
to see the full agenda, speakers and RSVP.
27th Annual Meeting:
The Business and
Operations of ASCs
Hyatt Regency Chicago, October 21-23, 2021
Join us for a hybrid live + virtual event experience.
