Cardiovascular Logistics is betting that the future of cardiology care runs through the ASC. Location, access and patient experience can make or break outpatient success, according to its COO.
The national cardiology platform supports more than 80 practices and two ASCs, with three more set to open in the coming months.
Charles McRae, the platform’s COO, recently connected with Becker’s about CVL’s recent investments in the ASC space, the lessons learned from other specialties and the group’s goals.
Note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: How is CVL investing in ASC operations and infrastructure to handle the increase in demand for outpatient cardiovascular care?
Charles McRae: We’re in the process of opening multiple ASCs, and we have a series of them opening in the next two months. It takes years to get an ASC built from scratch and up and running. It’s not a simple process. Those are getting completed and getting to where they will be operational. Adding three centers onto the two we already have is going to be a big move for the platform, for the cardiologists and for those patients. A lot of our investment has been into building ASCs so we could take advantage of the changes that Medicare pushed forward in the last fee schedule.
Q: During the process of building these ASCs, what did you learn for future projects?
CM: Location matters. Physicians and patients aren’t interested in driving all across the city to get to the ASC. From a business perspective, I’d love to have one ASC with more rooms, with all the staff in the same place. That’s great from a financial standpoint, but it doesn’t work in practice. It’s important to make sure that you understand what the additional costs are going to be, how the revenue is going to work and what the profitability of the center is going to be in the long run.
Q: What are some lessons that you’re able to take from your experiences in radiology and anesthesia and apply it to cardiology?
CM: Radiology is all about service, convenience and referring physician engagement. Outpatient work is what makes the wheels on the bus go around in radiology. In cardiology, once you get a patient into the ASC, it is all about having great customer services and providing a great patient experience. You need to have as good of a process and experience as possible.
There’s an enormous shortage of anesthesia care across the country. You have to have that lined up on the front end, otherwise you’ll have empty rooms. That is a key factor in every market we are in, and it is not just restricted to us. I’ve had the inside look at how the anesthesia industry works. I’m thankful to have the contacts and the experience to understand what anesthesia costs and the value it brings, especially when it’s done well.
Q: What goals does CVL have for the next few years?
CM: Our goal is to bring the best practices in cardiology together to share their collective experience. All of our affiliate practices do something really well, and it’s been great to be able to share some of that expertise. Whether it’s our enhanced cardiac access centers, where people can go and be seen without an appointment, or coronary CT care or ASCs, all of them have some different level of care. If we can continue to provide great patient care, great patient experience and value physician partners we’ll continue to be successful. We’ll continue to grow. That’s really the focus for me and my team, trying to provide the best cardiology care that we possibly can.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.