The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses outlined key steps to establishing an outpatient total joint program. Here are three of them:
1. Nail down insurance coverage. While ASCs can't receive reimbursement for total joints from CMS, many private payers cover the procedures in ASCs. Determining what private payers will reimburse for the procedures is one of the first steps to setting up a total joint program.
2. Set patient criteria and perform mock cases. Determining which patients would be good candidates to undergo an outpatient procedure is another key step to establishing a total joint program. ASCs should also perform mock cases to ensure staff is comfortable with the protocols before actual cases are performed.
3. Create a protocol for enhanced recovery after surgery. Setting up a program that focuses on evidence-driven measures to help patients recover should be established before the ASC treating its first total joint patients.
Read the full article from AORN here.