Becker's ASC Review

13 ASC Management says. "Also, you will have great staff to assure the physician that the ASC's staff is well-trained." Great staff and convenient times are primary motivators to recruit physicians and could be the deciding factor for a physician to invest in an ASC. In addition to these drivers, an ASC may be a superior option for physicians if the center has high quality measures. Quality measures are oen prioritized as the CMS imposes more regulations on quality data in healthcare facili- ties. Healthcare facilities are constantly seeking to improve quality, and an ASC that is ahead of the curve is a better option for physicians to per- form their cases. Mr. Péo says, "I oen show the ASC's quality num- bers to show the potential physician partner how well our center is doing to ensure their patients will not get sick when they are here." Recruiting physicians will always be a priority for ASCs as cases ensure the success of a center. As for the future, recruiting physicians will continue to be the main priority for many centers. Mr. Péo believes physicians will always prefer ASCs. He says, "ere will always be ownership offered to physicians and those physicians that have an en- trepreneurial mindset will always look for a sur- gery center to have those cases." n Speeding Up ASCs With Efficient Technology By Megan Wood F urnished with fewer resources than hospitals, ASCs greatly benefit from technology that fosters safe and efficient environments. Aer assessing which elements of the ASC could benefit from upgrades, strategically pitch new technology and consider following the pack with some trending technology, like robotics. Improving efficiency in outpatient setting ASCs average 22 minutes less in operating turnover time than in acute care facilities, according to OR Manager. However, ASCs can still improve efficiency with the following technologies. 1. Tracking soware: is technology allows providers to track a pa- tient's progress. By monitoring the patient's progress, providers can identify which stages are slowing down the workflow. 2. Online portals: Patient portals save time pre-operation, as patients input complications that nurses quickly address. 3. Mobile devices: Mobile devices prove essential for communicating quickly between rooms, keeping nurses and physicians aware of situations in the surgery center. 4. Monitors: Internet access and monitors allow physicians to easily view images on multiple screens simultaneously. 5. Scheduling: Scheduling becomes simple when ASCs use a soware platform to schedule surgeries and send confirmations to patients. 6. Front-office: Using advanced soware on the business side will pro- vide ease by the time of surgery. is soware can eliminate double entries and allow easy accessibility of patient information. 7. Supply chain: An automated system to manage device orders al- lows accurate tracking of materials and representatives entering the surgery center. 8. Inventory: Supply companies place bar codes on products so sur- gery centers can easily record the number of supplies each surgeon needs. Pitching new technology in ASCs Pamela Ertel, director of the Reading Hospital SurgiCenter at Spring Ridge (Pa.) recommended certain strategies when presenting new tech- nology to an ASC's board. 1. Ask vendors to present products to the board, as they know the ins- and-outs of whatever they're selling. With an expert pitching the technology, board members will hopefully hear a persuasive and precise presentation. 2. Be specific when showcasing the cost-effectiveness of the new prod- uct. Highlight expected true costs and so savings, providing a real- istic outlook of the technology's benefits and drawbacks. 3. Dra a solid timeline that specifies exact tasks and positions. By forming a committee with members from each department, a strong force will already be in place to bring the product to fruition. 4. Tackle possible concerns before they become reality. If an obvious challenge with the new technology exists, impress the board by pre- senting a solution during the pitch. 5. Keep physician offices in the loop as they will be the strongest advo- cates for technologies that simplify their day. Further, if healthcare providers don't understand the benefits or how to use the technol- ogy, they won't use it and it will flop. Playing the robotic game ASCs are starting to dip their toes into the advanced technological field of robotics. Jess Lonner, MD, of Rothman Institute in Philadelphia, shared her thoughts on robotic technology in ASCs during a Becker's Healthcare we- binar. More than 30 percent of the Blue Belt Technologies' Navio Surgical Sys- tems are currently in outpatient surgery centers. Dr. Lonner believes the robotic technology market will continue to grow as more companies enter the market. e Blue Belt Technologies' Navio system includes the following features. • Eliminates need for CT-scans • Utilizes handheld robotic instrument • Intraoperative registers, maps, plans • Incorporates intraoperative gap balancing • Uses burr speed/exposure control robotic control modes e technology is cost-effective, too. Dr. Lonner said ASCs can break-even with the Navio robotic technology, with a return on investment aer 60 cases. Ultimately, if healthcare providers do not understand how to use the tech- nology, it becomes more of a hindrance. Technology training is therefore, critical. n

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