At the 10th Annual Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference in Chicago on June 15, Nancy Boyd, administrator of Crane Creek Surgery Center in Melbourne, Fla., discussed three critical components that successfully preparing staff members for complex spine cases in ambulatory surgery centers.
Leadership
Preparing staff for complex spine cases in ASCs begins with great leadership, Ms. Boyd said. Great leadership should be able to conduct strategic planning, peer review and recognition, empower staff, communicate through rounds and huddles and build strong teams. Ms. Boyd outlines nine steps to help set leadership up for success:
1. Set clear expectations.
2. Provide context.
3. Seek commitment.
4. Communicate and promote the team mission.
5. Choose the right skill sets.
6. Find engaged learners.
7. Instill excitement.
8. Encourage free thinking.
9. Plan for growth.
Training
Leadership should train staff in a manner that is interactive and allows for the greatest opportunity for learning. Training do's include using practice or real-life scenarios to bring facts and theories to life, allowing people to work in groups to learn from each other and work together. Leadership should also be engaging throughout the training process.
Empowerment
Finally, ASC leaders should empower staff by giving access to courses, in-service sessions, journal presentations and more. "If the staff is empowered, they strive for further goals, and they move from being the learner to being the teacher. Ultimately, this process increases knowledge and improves the ASC's overall level of patient care, outcomes and patient satisfaction," Ms. Boyd said.
Leadership
Preparing staff for complex spine cases in ASCs begins with great leadership, Ms. Boyd said. Great leadership should be able to conduct strategic planning, peer review and recognition, empower staff, communicate through rounds and huddles and build strong teams. Ms. Boyd outlines nine steps to help set leadership up for success:
1. Set clear expectations.
2. Provide context.
3. Seek commitment.
4. Communicate and promote the team mission.
5. Choose the right skill sets.
6. Find engaged learners.
7. Instill excitement.
8. Encourage free thinking.
9. Plan for growth.
Training
Leadership should train staff in a manner that is interactive and allows for the greatest opportunity for learning. Training do's include using practice or real-life scenarios to bring facts and theories to life, allowing people to work in groups to learn from each other and work together. Leadership should also be engaging throughout the training process.
Empowerment
Finally, ASC leaders should empower staff by giving access to courses, in-service sessions, journal presentations and more. "If the staff is empowered, they strive for further goals, and they move from being the learner to being the teacher. Ultimately, this process increases knowledge and improves the ASC's overall level of patient care, outcomes and patient satisfaction," Ms. Boyd said.