Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/148060
ASC Turnarounds: Ideas to Improve Performance 12 6 Ways for ASCs to Adopt & Benefit From Flexible Employee Schedules By Heather Linder F lexible surgery centers can adapt to meet the changing needs of patients, surgeons and staff members. They can also become more efficient to maximize profits and minimize overhead costs. Donna Coleman is the human resources payroll services manager for MedHQ, a professional employer organization and business office outsourcing service for healthcare, ASCs, surgical hospitals, imaging centers and other physicianaffiliated businesses. Ms. Coleman discusses how to develop flexible schedules for employees and the benefits of doing so. How to become more flexible 1. Focus on per diem workers. The greatest amount of staffing flexibility for ASCs comes from per diem workers, Ms. Coleman says. While your nursing and business directors will be full time, other staff members are usually " not needed for as many hours per week. These per diem workers can be on call throughout the week to come in as necessary, ensuring your ASC is never left shorthanded. Donna Coleman Per diem workers can also be scheduled for different hours each week, depending on the cases brought into the center and the number of personnel needed to keep the center properly staffed. "The flexibility could be in how many hours per day they work or it could be the start and stop time of those hours," Ms. Coleman says. 2. Keep your center open only for cases. Having flexible employees also creates a cost-conscious environment for ASCs to shut down when all the cases are done for a day or to schedule cases only on certain days of the week and remain closed the rest, Ms. Coleman says. Having the surgery center only open when procedures are being performed can save a significant amount of money on staffing costs and overhead costs, including utilities. 3. Offer paid and unpaid time off options. Flexible schedules for staff members should include both paid and unpaid options, as well as time off for reasons other than vacation or sick days. Giving per diem employees even limited paid time off options builds employee Many practitioners see an AAAHC accreditation survey as a wonderful opportunity to get knowledgeable counsel. " Steven A. Gunderson, DO Featherstone Partnership, LLP AAAHC Surveyor Choose the Leader in Outpatient Surgery Accreditation. With Standards that are nationally recognized and annually reviewed, AAAHC has accredited more than 5,000 health care facilities. Because our surveys are collaborative by nature and not just a checklist, we strive to match each of our surveyor's credentials and experience to your specialty. For more information, Contact us: 847-853-6060 By email: info@aaahc.org Log on: www.aaahc.org/basc Improving Health Care Quality through Accreditation 2023 AAAHC Gunderson halfpg 1.indd 1 3/30/12 11:34 AM