From gathering data to making changes as part of a surgery center turnaround, here are three key management tips from ASC experts:
1. Suzi Walton, administrator of Ohio Surgery Center in Columbus:
"We are really challenging ourselves and our old processes to see how to add even more value, continuity, and/or efficiency to our community, referring providers and patients to really differentiate us from any competition. It seems data is the driving force for all of these initiatives. We seem to always be trying to find ways to obtain the right data more efficiently."
2. DeeDee Dalke, former ASC administrator and consultant for ASC management software developer Simplify ASC:
"Keep up to date on CMS regulations as well as accreditations, such as the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and The Joint Commission. Take CMS quality reporting participation and its 2 percent reduction in reimbursement if the center opt out seriously. When a new CMS quality measure is announced, ASCs should be ready to update their forms to capture the necessary data or run the risk of losing that 2 percent of reimbursement.
The same holds true for infection control measures and 23-hour stay requirements. Discuss these CMS proposal/final rules with your board members. Have a good system in place that will allow you to analyze expenses and reimbursement. Proper case costing and proper reporting of quality measures become even more important in a more complex care environment. See this blog post for more information."
3. Kathryn Rice, administrator of St. Petersburg, Fla.-based Bayfront Health Ambulatory Surgery Center:
"Being transparent with staff and having them be a part of the turnaround process is key. Keeping them informed as much as possible about changes and why they are necessary for improvement help keep staff engaged. They have to see the vision with you. Working side by side with them in the OR helps bring validity. As an administrator, if you can do what you ask of your staff then they feel supported and you become a team."