With decreased reimbursements, declining case volume and physicians heading toward hospital employment, there may not seem to be a lot of reason for cheer in the ambulatory surgery center industry this holiday season. But don't give up hope just yet — here are 10 holiday wishes from ASC administrators.
Sandy Berreth, administrator of Brainerd Lakes Surgery Center in Baxter, Minn:
My one wish for my ASC: CMS and third-party payors to understand the significance and contributions of ASCs to the healthcare arena; and then to pay the participating ASCs what is just and appropriate.
Carol Blanar, RN, BS, CNOR, administrator and director of nursing for Sagamore Surgical Services in Lafayette, Ind.:
My holiday wishlist:
1. To maintain our independence in the healthcare market.
2. Pay increase and/or bonus for our dedicated, hardworking staff.
3. CMS and our legislators will finally realize the value of ASCs.
Vicki Edelman, RN, BSN, CASC, administrator, Blue Bell (Pa.) Surgery Center:
My wish for the holiday is to have all members of our team, be they physicians, office schedulers, practice managers and surgical center employees, maintain a "sandbox" filled with positive energy — teams working together cohesively to support our mission and common goal.
My "sand crystals" formulate a "castle" when we maintain optimal flexibility for schedule compression, keep all lines of communication current and open, graciously accommodate other partners requesting to schedule a case out of their block time, supply accurate and complete patient information to the facility and maintain optimal respect to all members of the team.
Angela Laux, RN, BSN, MSOLQ, administrator of Bellin Orthopedic Surgery Center in Green Bay, Wis.:
If money wasn't a consideration, I would like another OR to enable two surgeons to flip-flop rooms at the same time. Currently, we have three ORs, so you can see how we have to make calculated guesses as to who is going to finish first and who should get the open room. This would make the surgeons happy and therefore the staff and myself.
Neal Maerki, RN, CASC, administrator of Bend (Ore.) Surgery Center:
I would be thrilled with additional volume, and it would be happy holidays all around.
Joe Majerus, administrator of Lakewalk Surgery Center in Duluth, Minn.:
On the night before surgery, I wish I had 22 nurses who welcomed each patient warmly, attended to their needs quickly, answered all their questions smartly, smiled away their fears and thanked them for coming. Whoops! I had already got that from Santa.
Lori Martin, administrator of SUMMIT Surgery Center at Saint Mary's Galena in Reno, Nev.:
12 out-of-network cases
11 new cost savings findings
10 ortho surgeons
9 implants reimbursed promptly
8 surgeons using reprocessed products
7 months of the highest patient satisfaction scores
6 more distributions
5 new neuro surgeons
4 ORs humming
3 seasoned OR nurses
2 new investing partners
1 minute turnover times
But if I only had one wish, I would say prompt payment for reimbursement implants!
Jenny Morris, administrator of Stateline Surgery Center in Galena, Kans.:
My holiday wish would be for a seamless EMR program that actually worked as promised in the demonstration.
Anastasios Pantelidis, MD, anesthesiologist and administrator of Marietta (Ohio) Surgery Center:
My holiday wishlist would entail:
• on-time surgeons
• being in-network with every insurance
• a year without HR issues
Kecia Rardin, RN, CNOR, CASC, administrator of Northwest Ambulatory Surgery Center and president of OASCA:
My wish would be a season without increased regulation or change. Between the CMS surveys, state surveys, accreditation surveys, fire marshal surveys, ACOs and state healthcare reform, there is little time left over to manage and motivate our employees and surgeons.
I would wish for a season of patient care. No auditing and constantly proving that we're providing great care, but instead actual quality time spent between the healthcare provider and the patient.
Related Articles on ASC Operations:
10 Steps Taken by Top Performing Pain Management Programs
12 Ways to Improve Physicians' ASC Experience in 2012
10 Overlooked Ways to Cut Costs in an ASC
Sandy Berreth, administrator of Brainerd Lakes Surgery Center in Baxter, Minn:
My one wish for my ASC: CMS and third-party payors to understand the significance and contributions of ASCs to the healthcare arena; and then to pay the participating ASCs what is just and appropriate.
Carol Blanar, RN, BS, CNOR, administrator and director of nursing for Sagamore Surgical Services in Lafayette, Ind.:
My holiday wishlist:
1. To maintain our independence in the healthcare market.
2. Pay increase and/or bonus for our dedicated, hardworking staff.
3. CMS and our legislators will finally realize the value of ASCs.
Vicki Edelman, RN, BSN, CASC, administrator, Blue Bell (Pa.) Surgery Center:
My wish for the holiday is to have all members of our team, be they physicians, office schedulers, practice managers and surgical center employees, maintain a "sandbox" filled with positive energy — teams working together cohesively to support our mission and common goal.
My "sand crystals" formulate a "castle" when we maintain optimal flexibility for schedule compression, keep all lines of communication current and open, graciously accommodate other partners requesting to schedule a case out of their block time, supply accurate and complete patient information to the facility and maintain optimal respect to all members of the team.
Angela Laux, RN, BSN, MSOLQ, administrator of Bellin Orthopedic Surgery Center in Green Bay, Wis.:
If money wasn't a consideration, I would like another OR to enable two surgeons to flip-flop rooms at the same time. Currently, we have three ORs, so you can see how we have to make calculated guesses as to who is going to finish first and who should get the open room. This would make the surgeons happy and therefore the staff and myself.
Neal Maerki, RN, CASC, administrator of Bend (Ore.) Surgery Center:
I would be thrilled with additional volume, and it would be happy holidays all around.
Joe Majerus, administrator of Lakewalk Surgery Center in Duluth, Minn.:
On the night before surgery, I wish I had 22 nurses who welcomed each patient warmly, attended to their needs quickly, answered all their questions smartly, smiled away their fears and thanked them for coming. Whoops! I had already got that from Santa.
Lori Martin, administrator of SUMMIT Surgery Center at Saint Mary's Galena in Reno, Nev.:
12 out-of-network cases
11 new cost savings findings
10 ortho surgeons
9 implants reimbursed promptly
8 surgeons using reprocessed products
7 months of the highest patient satisfaction scores
6 more distributions
5 new neuro surgeons
4 ORs humming
3 seasoned OR nurses
2 new investing partners
1 minute turnover times
But if I only had one wish, I would say prompt payment for reimbursement implants!
Jenny Morris, administrator of Stateline Surgery Center in Galena, Kans.:
My holiday wish would be for a seamless EMR program that actually worked as promised in the demonstration.
Anastasios Pantelidis, MD, anesthesiologist and administrator of Marietta (Ohio) Surgery Center:
My holiday wishlist would entail:
• on-time surgeons
• being in-network with every insurance
• a year without HR issues
Kecia Rardin, RN, CNOR, CASC, administrator of Northwest Ambulatory Surgery Center and president of OASCA:
My wish would be a season without increased regulation or change. Between the CMS surveys, state surveys, accreditation surveys, fire marshal surveys, ACOs and state healthcare reform, there is little time left over to manage and motivate our employees and surgeons.
I would wish for a season of patient care. No auditing and constantly proving that we're providing great care, but instead actual quality time spent between the healthcare provider and the patient.
Related Articles on ASC Operations:
10 Steps Taken by Top Performing Pain Management Programs
12 Ways to Improve Physicians' ASC Experience in 2012
10 Overlooked Ways to Cut Costs in an ASC