Administrator of Bellingham, Wash.-based Pacific Rim Outpatient Surgery Center Gary Rihcberg, RN, discusses ASC leadership and strategy in the wake of uncertain healthcare reforms.
Q: How do you approach strategic planning with the uncertainty surrounding healthcare at the national level?
Gary Richberg: The best strategy will be to continue to improve efficiencies by staffing, case costing, supply management and contract negotiations. The uncertainty in healthcare laws and regulations has been a distraction, however the principles of great management have not.
Q: What future healthcare reforms do you expect to affect ASCs and physicians the most?
GR: The providing of joint replacement surgery in ASCs is a great indicator that the need for ASCs is greater than ever. Bundled payment models and improving delivery models will also play key roles in how these reforms will affect ASCs. ASCs and physicians will need to be as flexible as possible in their operations with keeping in mind that Washington, D.C. can change how we are paid for services from one year to the next.
Q: Where is the biggest opportunity for ASCs to succeed in healthcare today?
GR: ASCs will need to identify those procedures that they can do to improve their bottom-line and maintain their viability. ASCs will be a national campaign to show the cost benefits to patients and that we are the most therapeutic and economic choice for ambulatory surgery services.
Mr. Richberg will be speaking at the Becker's ASC Review 24th Annual Meeting in Chicago, Oct. 26-28. Click here to learn more and register.