Amid mounting reimbursement pressures and rising operational costs, ASC leaders are looking to models for managing anesthesia costs and staffing that will sustain them into the future.
Peter Bravos, MD, chief medical officer of Sacramento, Calif.-based Sutter Health’s surgery center division, recently joined Becker’s to discuss the ways that ASCs can adapt to evolving staffing and cost issues related to anesthesia services.
Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length:
Question: How do you see anesthesia staffing needs at ASCs evolving over the next few years, and how are you preparing for it?
Dr. Peter Bravos:The demand for anesthesia staffing will increase as ASCs manage greater volumes and more complex cases, against the backdrop of an increasingly constrained clinician pipeline. We are preparing by diversifying our staffing models, building academic partnerships and developing regional coverage strategies to ensure reliability and quality.
Q: What long-term strategies are you considering to keep anesthesia services sustainable as costs and demand continue to rise?
PB: We are aligning stipends with value, expanding our ASC case mix, and leveraging efficiency protocols. Regional anesthesia teams and early engagement of their leadership teams will also be key to long-term sustainability.
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.