The month of October is an exciting time for many, as leaves start to change color and cooler weather takes hold. For Beverly Hills, Calif.-based 90210 Surgery Center Administrator Benita Tapia, RN, October marks one of her favorite events: Becker's ASC 24th Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs.
As a leader in the ASC field, Ms. Tapia has to keep tabs on the latest trends impacting the outpatient space. She helped build 90210 Surgery Medical Center from the ground up nearly 11 years ago, with her outpatient career dating back to 1982 when she worked at an ophthalmology-driven ASC.
Since then, she has seen major changes taking hold, including dwindling reimbursement. To advocate for surgery centers, Ms. Tapia spends time lobbying in Washington, D.C., to discuss with legislators how healthcare leaders can safely and effectively perform more procedures in surgery centers.
Ms. Tapia increases her knowledge on the industry and learns key strategies to improve her own ASC's operations by attending events, including Becker's October conference. Ms. Tapia spoke with Becker's ASC Review about why she attends the conference each year and how leaders within the ASC space can benefit from venturing to Chicago for the three-day event.
Note: These responses have been slightly edited for style and clarity.
Question: Why have you attended Becker's October conference in the past and what are you excited for this year?
Benita Tapia: The things that excite me the most are learning the future of ASCs. Healthcare is a changing environment and ASCs are a part of it. It doesn't matter how long I have been in this industry; there hasn't been a single time that I haven't learn something from my peers. [I take what I learn] to improve the running of the surgery centers I manage. I am always looking for ideas to improve quality and profitability.
Q: What is the most important insight you have learned at this event in the past?
BT: Learning about new procedures like total joints and spine procedures that have recently been added to the ASC approved list. [It has been helpful to learn] how to manage those new procedures and also how to make them cost effective in the ASC environment.
There are great speakers and leaders that are hands-on in the ASC environment. [The event is] a great place to learn and ask questions.
Learn more from Ms. Tapia at the 24th Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs in October 2017. Click here for more information.