Orthopedic Associates of Hartford (Conn.) is preparing to open a new 45,000-square-foot orthopedic ASC, where it will migrate most procedures previously performed at inpatient facilities.
The new ASC's co-owner Project Managers Pietro Memmo, MD, and Andrew Caputo, MD, told Becker's ASC Review why OAH made a $30 million investment in the center and what makes it cutting-edge.
Note: Responses were lightly edited for length, clarity and style.
Question: You have both overseen the facility's development. How has physician involvement helped shape and enhance the final product?
PM & AC: We received input from fellow partners, our nursing staff and administrators and our patients. The success of our original surgical center for over 15 years provided a wealth of knowledge to help create a state-of-the-art surgical center where patients will choose to come, physicians will want to operate and our staff will want to work. We then coordinated directly, often on a daily basis, with the architect, construction manager, surgical center administrators and onsite project manager for the successful completion of the center. Whether it was the selection of the masonry stone, the design choices of the outdoor courtyard, soothing fabric schemes for the furniture or the operating room technologies, we were there to make decisions that were representative of their fellow partners.
Our facility was designed with strong emphasis on employees. Our employees, nurses and dedicated staff are the heart of what we do. We want them to be in a beautiful setting that is designed to make their jobs easier and is also designed to optimize patient workflow and surgical outcomes. We want our staff to be happy and to work in a setting that is second to none.
Q: OAH describes the new facility as one of the most innovative outpatient surgical facilities in the state, if not the nation. What makes it so distinctive?
PM & AC: Every detail was designed to be environmentally responsible and resource-efficient. Even the skin of the building is environmentally efficient and uses Centria panels that have built-in insulation and water drainage systems. Every possible enhancement was implemented to create a safe and sterile environment that meets the highest standards reserved for brand-new hospitals. For example, epoxy floors and whiterock walls in the operating rooms create the most innovative surfaces for maintaining a sterile environment. Our autoclaves and sterilization equipment are the most advanced means for keeping patient infections near 0 percent.
Technology in our 650-square-foot ORs was critical. The ORs are fitted with ConMed surgical camera systems with two floating 32-inch monitors and one 75-inch Sony 4K monitor; video integration will allow surgeons to view live video while simultaneously viewing MRIs and X-rays from multiple sources; wireless connectivity will allow for a seamless interface of data, images and video with electronic medical records; and the ORs are equipped for live HD video and audio streaming for viewing and recording for educational and training purposes. Robotic surgery will allow for more precise and safer surgeries.
Q: What were some features incorporated to enhance the patient experience?
PM & AC: We want our patient experience to be second to none. The surgical center is on one floor, so there are no stairs or elevators. The drop-off and pick-up areas have covered entrances to protect against snow and rain. The lobby is more of a family lounge, equipped with large screen televisions, a snack bar and a patient monitoring system so family members can track the status and progress of the patient’s surgery. A physical therapy area is placed right in the postoperative care unit so therapy can begin immediately after surgery, directly in the recovery area. We have a courtyard with outdoor seating for family members to enjoy as they wait for their loved ones. Lastly, there is natural lighting, high ceilings and clean finishes throughout the interior of the center to create a soothing, meditative environment.
Q: Patients are shopping around for care, and you're adapting to that trend with this patient-centric facility. What else is Orthopedic Associates of Hartford doing to adapt to overall industry trends?
PM & AC: Orthopedic Associates of Hartford has perhaps the most comprehensive orthopedic urgent care in Connecticut. We are open seven days a week in Farmington and Glastonbury (and soon in Rocky Hill), and provide an avenue for both new and current patients to have immediate access, specifically for orthopedic emergencies. This will allow patients to avoid going to costly and time-consuming emergency rooms. We are confident that we can provide superior orthopedic care above and beyond the services provided in other stand-alone facilities that are more equipped to deal with non-orthopedic medical conditions.
Q: How will shifting most procedures to the outpatient setting set OAH up for success?
PM & AC: Industry trends are clearly seeing a shift in most orthopedic surgery moving from costlier inpatient settings to more efficient and less expensive outpatient, same-day venues. This includes spine surgery and joint replacement surgery. These changes are being driven by cost, technology and advances in anesthesia. Orthopedic Associates of Hartford welcomes this trend and is prepared to meet this demand.
Research, our own data and patient feedback from our existing surgical center in Rocky Hill show our patient outcomes are superior, our infection rate is near zero and patient satisfaction is over 98 percent. We expect to further improve these outcomes in our new state-of-the-art surgical center.
Q: Why should other practices/organizations follow your lead?
PM & AC: They will have no choice. The trend toward outpatient surgery is only accelerating and orthopedic practices must have the infrastructure to adapt to this change, or they will fail or be bought out by another healthcare system. Some studies have shown that, in the very near future, over 70 percent of joint replacements will be done in an ASC.
The federal government and insurers are already reducing reimbursement for the number of postoperative days allowed for surgery. However, with the advancements in anesthesia, robotics and pre- and postoperative coordination of care, there is no reason these mandates cannot be met while maintaining optimal patient outcomes and satisfaction rates. At Orthopedic Associates of Hartford, we have invested in our future to meet these industry changes and hopefully other independent practices will do the same.
For more information about Orthopedic Associates of Hartford, visit www.oahct.com.