Diane J. Smith, RN, CNOR, CASC, is the clinical administrator of Hudson Valley Ambulatory Surgery Center in Middletown, N.Y. Here she explains how she entered the healthcare field, what she accomplished in her role as an administrator and how her surgery center is handling the current and impending changes caused by healthcare reform.
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Q: How did your career in healthcare begin? Have you worked in the ambulatory surgery center industry prior to working with Hudson Valley Ambulatory Surgery Center?
Diane Smith: I began my nursing career in 1996 as a registered nurse with a specialty in infection control. I started my career in a hospital setting, moving on to a position as director of nursing in a long-term care facility and then returned to the hospital, where I worked as a circulator in the operating room. During this time I earned my CNOR certification. Additional experience in healthcare administration provided me with the depth of skill and perspective in the healthcare industry that serves as the foundation for my position as administrator for Hudson Valley Ambulatory Surgery Center.
Q: Describe what your role is with Hudson Valley Ambulatory Surgery Center. What are you most proud of accomplishing during your time with the ASC?
DS: When I started at HVAS in 2007, I was an operating room nurse. I then advanced to become the director of nursing two years later. Shortly after, I obtained my CASC certification and took on my current position. While I am proud of my advancement in the healthcare industry, I am most proud of my participation and guidance of the HVAS Infection Control and Quality Assurance programs. We have implemented procedures and standards that guarantee the highest levels of infection prevention and, as a result, we were able to obtain AAAHC accreditation in 2011, maintaining that to the present.
Q: How does your ASC stand out?
DS: Our staff at HVAS is fully aware that our patients have many choices when they make a location selection for their ambulatory surgery and we are committed to ensuring every patient receives the quality care they deserve and have the best experience possible. This commitment is expressed through our physicians, our nursing and administrative staff with the common goal of providing a friendly, caring environment. Our medical excellence and dedicated staff ensures we meet our goals every day and this commitment to our patients is what sets HVAS apart.
Q: How is your ASC coping with the changes accompanying healthcare reform?
DS: Our facility has been proactive in educating our staff on all healthcare changes including those resulting from The Affordable Care Act. We regularly attend educational seminars including the AAPC ICD-10 preparation courses. We also participate in the annual ASCA conference which has been very beneficial, providing education necessary for procedures such as Quality Measures reporting.
We work with our vendors to ensure they are prepared for, and understand ICD-10, HIPAA requirements and other regulations and procedures.
HVAS is also a completely paperless facility and we have been since 2007, integrating EHR and practice management systems. We are relentlessly proactive and, as a result, well prepared for changes even before they are implemented.
If you are interested in sharing your accomplishments as an ASC administrator or would like to recommend an administrator, staff member or surgery center for a feature article on the Becker's ASC Review website, please email cpallardy@beckershealthcare.com.
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