Becker's ASC Review

ASC Management 8 "e new doctors are just building their practice, so the ASC takes a significant hit because the case volume drops," says Ann Geier, MS, RN, CNOR, CASC, chief nursing officer at SourceMed. "In some cases, if the doctors that formed the center are around the same age, this can have a devastat- ing effect on the bottom line." Furthermore, healthcare changes over time, but a single ASC may stagnate. Existing physicians may not have the cutting-edge technology or training to bring in the new, high-revenue procedures like spine surgery and total joints, and as their careers wind-up they may be risk- adverse to bringing such cases into the center. "e older owners may also want to spend less on new equipment as they are not going to be using it if they retire," says Ms. Geier. "But they need to stay abreast of what is happening in the industry. What new procedures are other centers trying? Is there a bet- ter way to build the mouse-trap?" In addition to evolving technologies, payment models and government regulations are also changing. "While clinical systems have not been widely deployed, in the new era of healthcare, integrating clinical and payment systems will become more important," says Walter Groszewski, vice president of professional services at SourceMed. "Information will be a critical asset to success in the new world." e surgery center's success depends on understanding patients, physi- cian partners and the overall community. Here are six key thoughts on breathing new life into your ASC: 1. Value-based healthcare is driving new government regu- lations, so understanding the different value-based reim- bursement methodologies is important. New payment models such as bundled payments and risk-sharing arrangements will become more popular in the future. "Centers must determine how they are going to fit into the various models that are being evaluated and then how tech- nology will complement that journey," says Mr. Groszewski. 2. Stay informed about the healthcare ecosystem with social media. "Doctors and patients are communicating online and patients are receiving education over the internet both for pre- and post-care information," says Mr. Groszewski. "Getting plugged into online communities can be an excellent vehicle to stay aware of changes in the industry." 3. Keep the interior of the ASC looking young with up- dated furniture and an eye toward cleanliness. ASCs can also purchase new equipment, supplies and technology that keeps the center on the cutting-edge. "at doesn't mean you buy everything because it's new. It means doing your due diligence to see if it's a good match for Ann Geier How to Breathe New Life Into a 10+ Year-Old ASC: 6 Key Strategies (continued from cover) Walter Groszewski LBL218 rev 1 Designed to deliver fusion results you demand. JOIN US AT BECKER'S 14 TH ANNUAL ASC CONFERENCE + THE FUTURE OF SPINE JUNE 9-11, 2016 SWISSOTEL CHICAGO TEXTURIZED TITANIUM COATING with VISIT BOOTH 3F AND DEMAND MORE STALIF C-Ti™ MIDLINE II-Ti™ CENT_Beckers_Ad_05-16_v3_Alt.indd 1 4/8/16 5:33 PM

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