1. Have loyal physician-owners. The owners use the facility for the bulk of their surgeries, which is not always the case with other ASCs.
2. Cut costs. “I come in with the scissors,” Ms. Culberson says. For example, the center has cut out daily catering of lunches, except when the staff is very busy.
3. Keep inventories low. Ms. Culberson and her staff order supplies on an as-needed basis. They can be ordered after surgeries are scheduled because they can arrive within two or three days. This eliminates the need for costly stockpiling.
4. Keep staff flexible. Many staff-employees are cross-trained in other jobs. For example, Ms. Culberson, a registered nurse, can fill in as an OR nurse, and the recovery room nurse can do lunch relief for nurses in the OR. This is particularly useful for short stints of less than four hours. Temporary surgical nurses have to be hired for at least four to six hours and sometimes for a full day.
5. Avoid managed care. While most cases are cosmetic surgery, which the patient pays for, reconstruction cases are often covered by insurers. However, the ASC has not signed managed care contracts for these cases because they pay too little.
Learn more about the MD Aesthetic Surgery Center.
Thank you to ASD Management for arranging this interview.
Read more best practices for ASC profitability:
– 4 Ways to Ensure Profitability When Adding Procedures
– 21 Ways to Make and Save Money in Surgery Centers
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.