Becker's ASC Review

65 Key Specialties 65 5 Findings on GI Savings, Income & Assets By Anuja Vaidya H ere are five things to know about gastroenterologist savings, income and assets, according to Medscape Gastroenterology Lifestyle Report 2016: Bias and Burnout. 1. Sixty-seven percent of male and 61 percent of female gastroenterologists say they have adequate savings or more and no debt. 2. Twenty-eight percent of male and 33 percent of female gastroenterologists report having minimal savings, unmanageable debt or both. 3. Around 51 percent of male gastroenterologists and 42 percent of their female peers believe that their income and assets are sufficient to support their life goals. 4. About one-third of both men and women (38 percent and 36 percent, respectively) say that their income and assets aren't enough right now, but they expect them to become sufficient in the future to support their goals. 5. Approximately 11 percent of male and 21 percent of female gastroenter- ologists have no hope that their income and assets will ever be sufficient. n "is translates to less narcotics, which translates to less nausea and less hypotensive issues," Ms. Tapia says. "Patients are more comfortable to go home with this approach." Working toward quality outcomes Since implementing the program, the ASC is continually striving to improve quality and outcomes for patients undergoing TJR. 90210 integrated HealthLoop technology, a Mountain View, Calif.-based patient engagement solution. e technology helped the ASC automate patient education as well as record quality measures. "90210 is on the forefront of advancing innovative ways that are engag- ing patients with surgeons and their care team," says Ms. Tapia. "rough HealthLoop's automated patient engagement, patients get guided care plans and answer questions about how they are doing. We're getting good, consistent data about patient outcomes and any problems that may emerge in the days and weeks aer surgery." Reporting is essential, especially because CMS does not approve TJR in an ASC setting. rough detailed reporting, ASCs can continue to demon- strate their success to CMS in addition to improving their center's internal processes and outcomes. Next steps for 90210 include working with e Joint Commission to receive specialization certification for ASCs performing TJR. e center also aims to make intraoperative radiation therapy a "one-time thing in an ASC setting." 90210 has started assembling a team to assess if IORT can successfully work in an outpatient setting. Like TJR, a strong team is at the crux of any successful program. "Every administrator should know that you can't do it alone," says Ms. Tapia. "Putting the team together is the very first step." n Anesthesia Services During Colonoscopy Increases Risk of Complications: 4 Insights By Anuja Vaidya T he overall risk of complications after colonoscopy increases when individuals receive anesthesia services, according to a study in Gastroenterology. Researchers analyzed administrative claims data from Truven Health Analytics MarketScan Research Databases from 2008 to 2011. The team identified 3.16 million colonoscopy procedures in men and women between the ages of 40 years and 64 years. Colonoscopy complications were measured within 30 days. Here are four findings: 1. Nationwide, 34.4 percent of colonoscopies were conducted with anesthesia services. 2. Use of anesthesia services was associated with a 13 percent increase in the risk of any complication within 30 days. 3. Use of anesthesia services was associated specifically with an increased risk of perforation, abdominal pain, com- plications secondary to anesthesia and stroke. 4. The risk of perforation associated with anesthesia services was increased only in patients with a polypectomy. n Use of Sterile C-Arm Drape Decreases Risk of Surgical Site Infections A sterile C-arm drape or C-armor could effectively reduce the risk of surgical site infections while also improving intraoperative workflow and healthcare cost-savings, according to a study published in Patient Safety in Surgery. Intraoperative fluoroscopy for orthopedic procedures fre- quently involves imaging, which requires the lower portion of the C-arm to be moved from beneath the table, considered an unsterile zone, into the operating, sterile field. The idea of a C-armor sterile pouch came from sterile pouch- es in hip and arthroscopy drapes used during arthroplasty and arthroscopic surgery. The C-armor adheres to AORN standards, calling for the non-sterile portion of the C-arm to be covered on all five sides. The C-armor's translucent drape allows great control over the beam emitter for fluoroscopy im- ages, potentially reducing hazardous radiation exposure, and protects the sterile field from dropped instruments or other biohazard fluids. The sterile pouch also may be used to hold surgical instru- ments during an operation. n

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