Illinois Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery Center has staggered OR start times, which could allow 50-60 percent more cases per year per surgeon using the early morning start time. Surgeons are able to do a short case in one of the three ASC ORs and finish before the others start, thereby avoiding disruption to the regular process. Dr. Visotsky, a hand surgeon, also places his patients on mobile chairs with carts underneath so they are prepared for pre-op, surgery and post-op durable medical equipment.
Standardizing cases and equipment can promote efficiency and consistency in the ASC. From an economic standpoint, surgeons and administrators negotiate the price of implants with vendors. Vendors want your business, so if you remain steadfast on your needs, they will come down in price. Additionally, conduct case cost analyses so surgeons know their own statistics and often they will be willing to work with administrators on lowering the cost or improving OR times.
To address the complaints many patients have about not spending enough time with their specialists, Illinois Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery Center surgeons apply the pre-op tourniquets. As the success of your ASC grows, consider expanding the case base to include spine surgery, fracture care, workers’ compensation, minimally invasive procedures and platelet-rich plasma injections. Many of these avenues could be lucrative for the ASC and are becoming more common in ASCs around the country.
Related Articles on Orthopedics in ASCs:
8 Best Practices for Building a Successful Orthopedic-Driven ASC
6 Ways to Increase Profitability of Your Orthopedic-Driven ASC
Dr. Michael Redler: 3 Trends for Orthopedics in ASCs
