At the 10th Annual Orthopedic, Spine and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference in Chicago on June 15, Severko Hrywnak, DPM, MD, owner and CEO of Advanced Ambulatory Surgical Center in Chicago, presented why ambulatory surgery centers, especially those with a spine and/or orthopedic focus, will increasingly need minimally invasive surgery.
Dr. Hrywnak began the presentation by commenting on changes in the healthcare landscape, primarily ambulatory surgery centers and accountable care models. "The landscape has changed with more ASCs on board. Care is great and cost is less than a hospital," said Dr. Hrywnak. "The ACO model will [also] change the way [physicians] practice. It is a maximum medical benefit for the cheapest price possible," he said.
According to Dr. Hrywnak, these changes are dramatic and are leading healthcare into a new era. In this new era, minimally invasive surgery will be important. "While physicians become resistant to minimally invasive surgery, claiming 'you cannot do surgery thorough a key hole,' the physicians that conduct minimally invasive surgery will be at an advantage," said Dr. Hrywnak. In addition, there are patient drivers behind minimally invasive surgery:
1. Outpatient vs. inpatient. ASCs and minimally invasive surgery allow patients to be "outpatient," which takes less time and requires less recovery.
2. Time lost from work. "In this economy, patients do not want to take time off from work for procedures. Two years ago, the patient was still wiling to have a procedure, now they are afraid of losing their job," said Dr. Hrywnak.
3. Television, internet, neighbors. According to Dr. Hrywnak, patients know that minimally invasive surgery is an option because they are informed. The television and internet coverage as well as discussions with neighbors and friends introduce them to the concept. "The patient knows what is going on. They know another physician is doing [minimally invasive procedures,] and they will go to that physician," said Dr. Hrywnak.
Dr. Hrywnak then summarized the external factors causing the growing prevalence minimally invasive surgery.
New healthcare landscape + economy + informed patient + operating costs = minimally invasive surgery
According to Dr. Hrywnak, it is time for spine centers to identify the surgeons that conduct minimally invasive surgery and incorporate them into ASCs. Those surgeons are often in orthopedics, neurology and podiatry.
Benefits
Dr. Hrywnak closed the presentation by commenting on the multiple benefits that ASCs with minimally invasive surgery can expect, including these four:
1. Lower operating costs.
2. High patient satisfaction.
3. Negated competition.
4. Fit with ACO structure and desired goals.
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Dr. Hrywnak began the presentation by commenting on changes in the healthcare landscape, primarily ambulatory surgery centers and accountable care models. "The landscape has changed with more ASCs on board. Care is great and cost is less than a hospital," said Dr. Hrywnak. "The ACO model will [also] change the way [physicians] practice. It is a maximum medical benefit for the cheapest price possible," he said.
According to Dr. Hrywnak, these changes are dramatic and are leading healthcare into a new era. In this new era, minimally invasive surgery will be important. "While physicians become resistant to minimally invasive surgery, claiming 'you cannot do surgery thorough a key hole,' the physicians that conduct minimally invasive surgery will be at an advantage," said Dr. Hrywnak. In addition, there are patient drivers behind minimally invasive surgery:
1. Outpatient vs. inpatient. ASCs and minimally invasive surgery allow patients to be "outpatient," which takes less time and requires less recovery.
2. Time lost from work. "In this economy, patients do not want to take time off from work for procedures. Two years ago, the patient was still wiling to have a procedure, now they are afraid of losing their job," said Dr. Hrywnak.
3. Television, internet, neighbors. According to Dr. Hrywnak, patients know that minimally invasive surgery is an option because they are informed. The television and internet coverage as well as discussions with neighbors and friends introduce them to the concept. "The patient knows what is going on. They know another physician is doing [minimally invasive procedures,] and they will go to that physician," said Dr. Hrywnak.
Dr. Hrywnak then summarized the external factors causing the growing prevalence minimally invasive surgery.
New healthcare landscape + economy + informed patient + operating costs = minimally invasive surgery
According to Dr. Hrywnak, it is time for spine centers to identify the surgeons that conduct minimally invasive surgery and incorporate them into ASCs. Those surgeons are often in orthopedics, neurology and podiatry.
Benefits
Dr. Hrywnak closed the presentation by commenting on the multiple benefits that ASCs with minimally invasive surgery can expect, including these four:
1. Lower operating costs.
2. High patient satisfaction.
3. Negated competition.
4. Fit with ACO structure and desired goals.
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