As ambulatory surgery centers age, growth and evolution can stagnate.
Here are six ideas to make sure centers that have been around for a while are still maximizing their potential and building for the future.
1. Look at the ASC with fresh eyes. "Look at it with the same eyes as when you first started the center," says David Moody, administrator of Knightsbridge Surgery Center in Columbus, Ohio. "We wanted to create the same amount of excitement among the owners that we had when all the possibilities were in front of us, whether it's bringing in new surgeons or procedures."
For example, orthopedic surgery centers could consider bringing in total joint replacements or other new procedures as they move outpatient.
2. Connect with surgeons about cases. When surgeon owners first begin the center, they're excited to bring in 100 percent of ASC-appropriate cases. But then, scheduling issues or other roadblocks make it more difficult to bring all cases. "It may be easier to schedule a procedure that should be done at the ASC at a hospital," says Mr. Moody. "We have to talk to the surgeon about that and figure out how to streamline the process."
3. Get outside of the ASC's walls. "Go to industry conferences and listen to what the experts say," says Mr. Moody. "There are opportunities out there that might work to grow your center. Not everything is applicable ; there are some ideas that don't fit your city, state or surgeon group, but you can pick up some knowledge about how to handle labor, costs and supply contracts that can spark a significant change at your center."
4. Go back to the basics. "One of the things we do is look at case cost analyses and trends," says Mr. Moody. "We print out preference cards with every item used in particular cases listed out and the cost of that item. We can see every trocar, every 4x4 and what it costs so the staff can really appreciate how much we spend on each item."
5. Keep an open eye — and mind — to what others are doing around you. Whether your center has a hospital partner or not alignment with other providers is important for success. Hospitals or other providers in the community may do something that will impact your ability to provide care in the future, and there could be opportunities for your center to grow.
"A hospital in the market might become self-insured for their employee or the general public," says Mr. Moody. "They will need to provide the most affordable care for the patient and that's at the ASC."
6. Give surgeons strategies to become better business partners. "The physicians need to be partners in our business to help us keep our costs down," says Mr. Moody. "Whether it's through the best supply chain practices, standardization or optimizing their investment. Sometimes with mature centers, through evolution and aging, we pick up habits that aren't best practices. Keep an eye on those to maximize potential."