Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1523565
16 ASC The investments ASCs can't afford to skip By Patsy Newitt A s ASCs continue to face staffing shortages nationwide, many leaders are putting their money into retaining and recruiting talent. Many ASCs struggle to compete with the deep pockets of hospitals and health systems for available staff. Some ASCs spend one-fourth or more of their net operating revenue on employees to stay ahead of shortages, according to a report from VMG Health. "We're looking to add additional procedures that are of a higher complexity and as such require highly trained/skilled clinical staff," Bruce Feldman, administrator at New York City-based Bronx Ambulatory Surgery Center, told Becker's. "We are facing greater competition for these individuals from hospitals and large healthcare systems that can offer higher salaries and richer benefit packages along with large sign-on bonuses." Here are five ways ASC leaders are investing in staff: 1. Anesthesia providers ASCs are investing in certified registered nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologists as the anesthesia industry faces a growing provider shortage paired with a decline in reimbursements. "e biggest investment this year is in recruiting and retaining anesthesiologists and CRNAs," Gary Haynes, MD, PhD, professor of anesthesiology at New Orleans-based Tulane University School of Medicine, told Becker's. "If we fail at that, we will have an even bigger expense in retaining locums anesthesiologists and CRNAs." Julie Berzins, BSN, RN, director of nursing and vice president for operations at Indianapolis-based Indiana Vascular Surgery Center, told Becker's the biggest investment her team made in 2023 was hiring a full-time anesthesiologist. "Our patient acuity level is higher than an average ASC, so we invested in the safety of our patients, adherence to patient selection criteria and adequately training our staff," she said. "On a whole, investing in our staff is very important, expensive and time consuming." 2. Clinical nursing leadership Other leaders, like Janet Carlson, MSN, RN, executive director for ASCs at Louisville, Ky.-based Commonwealth Pain & Spine, are focusing on recruiting clinical nursing leadership for new ASCs. "Talented and knowledgeable human capital is the most important investment a business can make," she told Becker's. "Once that leadership team is assembled, we can execute on our ambulatory surgical strategic vision and provide outstanding care to our patients in all of the communities we serve." 3. Employee raises Offering raises to existing staff is also a key investment focus for ASCs. "In 2023, we made major modifications to our staffing structures and pay scales," Todd Currier, administrator of Bend (Ore.) Surgery Center, told Becker's. "Investing in our staff was and continues to be an ongoing priority for our business." 4. Training programs e biggest investment Jene' Becerra, BSN, RN, nurse administrator and director of nursing at Crown Point (Ind.) Surgical Suites, made was comprehensive staff training programs. "By focusing on employee satisfaction and team building, we will create a more cohesive and motivated workforce," she said. "is investment will include workshops and seminars to improve clinical skills and patient interaction. We will also implement regular team- building activities to foster a supportive and collaborative work environment. When our staff is happy and well trained, they can provide exceptional care, ensuring our patients have the best possible experience." ASCs grow with 'untapped' business line By Laura Dyrda J ayehs Dayal, MD, an anesthesiologist and owner of White flint Surgery Center in Rockville, Md., was one of the first physicians to own a freestanding licensed, accredited, three-room ASC in Rockwell. The surgery center opened in 1998, and now Dr. Dayal is opening a new location to expand. The new location will have more procedure rooms while maintaining the two operating rooms afforded by their certificate of need. The new surgery center will also include an office-based lab, which Dr. Dayal recommends to all surgery center owners. "There's a huge misconception in the medical community about peripheral arterial disease and while the technologies are getting very advanced, the literature hasn't kept up with the new technologies and new results so people still use old guidelines and old thought processes [on it]," dr. Dayal said on a recent episode of the "Becker's Healthcare Podcast." "Even the nomenclature is so outdated that it doesn't make any sense. It's a very untapped sort of new business line that we've discovered." Dr. Dayal said Medicare pays "adequately" for procedures in the OBL, further adding to the viability of procedures performed there. Adding the cardiac and vascular procedures at an OBL can help support independent physician practices to maintain economic autonomy as consolidation in the field and strength of payers makes it difficult for small surgery centers to survive, and thrive. "That's your only chance of making money these days and being independent and running your own affairs," said Dr. Dayal. "That's what I'm really excited about." n