At the 11th Annual Orthopedic, Spine and Pain-Management Driven ASC Conference in Chicago on June 14, Greg P. DeConciliis, PA-C, administrator of Boston Out-Patient Surgical Suites, and Anthony Schena, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Pro Sports Orthopedics in Brighton, Mass, shared three key benefits of ambulatory surgery centers that can be used to recruit or retain surgeons to an ASC.
Convenience
Dr. Schena began by discussing the convenience of an ASC, which was one of the main reasons he began to perform cases at Boston Out-Patient Surgical Suites. The center was much more convenient than the hospital where Dr. Schena previously performed cases. He was able to secure block time, and turnover was much quicker, allowing him to spend more time in his office seeing patients, therefore increasing his surgical volume.
In the hospital, turnovers took anywhere from an hour to an hour and 15 minutes, according to Dr. Schena, and at the ASC, that is reduced to just 10-15 minutes. This increased efficiency has also impacted his lifestyle, freeing up more of his time to spend with his family in the evening.
Mr. DeConciliis added that the availability of block time has made the center attractive to surgeons in the area. "I'm a firm believer in the block system," he said.
He added that small things also make a difference when it comes to winning the favor of surgeons. Boston Out-Patient Surgical Suites caters lunch for surgeons each day, and surgical staff make sure the surgeons’ favorite music is played in the OR.
Clinical value
On the clinical side, patients are less likely to contract an infection at an ASC, making it attractive to surgeons.
Dr. Schena said he also appreciates that he is able to work with the same clinical staff during each surgery, and they are familiar with his techniques and preferences. He also appreciates the control surgeons have over clinical decisions, explaining that if they want to bring in new equipment, there is little red tape to cut through.
Financial
Finally, Dr. Schena mentioned that the ability to invest in a center and receive distributions was attractive to him. Boston Out-Patient Surgery Center's physician owners receive monthly distributions.
In order to increase those distributions, the center staff has been trained to do everything possible to ensure add-on cases are accommodated on the schedule. "We accommodate cases," said Mr. DeConciliis. "Communicate why if you cannot."
Dr. Schena began by discussing the convenience of an ASC, which was one of the main reasons he began to perform cases at Boston Out-Patient Surgical Suites. The center was much more convenient than the hospital where Dr. Schena previously performed cases. He was able to secure block time, and turnover was much quicker, allowing him to spend more time in his office seeing patients, therefore increasing his surgical volume.
In the hospital, turnovers took anywhere from an hour to an hour and 15 minutes, according to Dr. Schena, and at the ASC, that is reduced to just 10-15 minutes. This increased efficiency has also impacted his lifestyle, freeing up more of his time to spend with his family in the evening.
Mr. DeConciliis added that the availability of block time has made the center attractive to surgeons in the area. "I'm a firm believer in the block system," he said.
He added that small things also make a difference when it comes to winning the favor of surgeons. Boston Out-Patient Surgical Suites caters lunch for surgeons each day, and surgical staff make sure the surgeons’ favorite music is played in the OR.
Clinical value
On the clinical side, patients are less likely to contract an infection at an ASC, making it attractive to surgeons.
Dr. Schena said he also appreciates that he is able to work with the same clinical staff during each surgery, and they are familiar with his techniques and preferences. He also appreciates the control surgeons have over clinical decisions, explaining that if they want to bring in new equipment, there is little red tape to cut through.
Financial
Finally, Dr. Schena mentioned that the ability to invest in a center and receive distributions was attractive to him. Boston Out-Patient Surgery Center's physician owners receive monthly distributions.
In order to increase those distributions, the center staff has been trained to do everything possible to ensure add-on cases are accommodated on the schedule. "We accommodate cases," said Mr. DeConciliis. "Communicate why if you cannot."