Here are four ways in which an anesthesia department can help ASCs achieve their goals, according to Dr. Militana:
1. High quality patient care. The anesthesia department can help ensure that patients are receiving high quality care by using effective techniques, including regional anesthesia techniques, preemptive analgesics and appropriate pain management techniques, said Dr. Militana. During pre-surgical testing, the anesthesia team should identify risk factors for the patient, which will help physicians deliver quality care. The anesthesia team should also be thorough during post-operative follow-ups.
2. Patient satisfaction. “This is directly linked to your ASC’s success,” said Dr. Militana. The anesthesia department can help influence patient satisfaction by ensuring that it performs its tasks efficiently, for example, its pre-surgical testing tasks. The patient’s experience in an ASC begins with pre-surgical testing, and the anesthesia department should make sure that it is conducted effectively and efficiently, making it a good experience for the patient. It is also important for the anesthesia team, along with the rest of the ASC staff, to make the patient feel as though he or she is getting individualized care, said Dr. Militana.
3. Efficient operating room management. “Implement strict OR times,” said Dr. Militana. “When you don’t get the first case started on time, it just cascades.” Efficient OR times needs to be a goal of the ASC, and Dr. Militana suggested that ASCs set the right example through the anesthesia department and the nursing department. Once these departments make sure that they are following strict start times, then physicians will also follow suit, he said.
4. Quality assurance data collection. The anesthesia department can and should help collect quality assurance data, said Dr. Militana. The anesthesia team can help collect data regarding types of cases, OR times, post-anesthesia care unit stays and incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting. Reviewing and analyzing this data will help an ASC’s productivity, he said.
Dr. Militana concluded the session by saying that ASCs should ensure that the anesthesia department is doing its bit to help the center be successful in meeting its goals. ASCs should communicate with their anesthesia department and bring important issues to their attention. “The anesthesia department can help your ASC do great things,” he said.
