Operating a rural ASC can be a challenge — limited resources for patient access, staffing and physician recruitment require administrators to strategize to ensure their ASC is successful, according to Pinnacle III, an ASC management company.
The company shared the following tips on rural ASC management on their blog:
1. When staffing a rural ASC, consider hiring professionals who may not have firsthand experience working in an ASC. Requiring specific experience could further limit the applicant pool, while hiring qualified, motivated individuals ensures the ASC's staff is both eager and willing to put in the time to learn.
2. Establishing and understanding transfer agreements with local hospitals can help mitigate some of the challenges surrounding rural ASC physician recruitment.
3. Because patients often need to travel long distances to receive medical services, patient scheduling, admission and discharging are important processes for staff to be aware of. Giving patients satisfaction surveys to fill out after the operation can help rural ASCs improve customer service moving forward.