Obstetric anesthesia can be a make-or-break service for anesthesia practices because of its many complexities, according to Anesthesia Business Consultants President and CEO Tony Mira.
To successfully provide this service, Mr. Mira said, anesthesia practices should regularly monitor six factors:
1. Average net yield per case, including distinctions between labor epidurals, epidurals that go to C-section and deliveries without epidural
2. Obstetrics payer mix, with a focus on the impact of Medicaid and Medicaid HMO plans
3. Volume of cases by month and busiest times of day
4. Staffing requirements
5. Service profitability
6. Financial support needed