Improving a center starts with empowering the patient, Ms. Boyd said. “It’s all a matter of them being engaged, involved and begetting their care.”
Crane Creek strives to provide educational support for patients from the first visit and offers a tour of the surgery center. The center, which is an out-of-network center, also studies insurance plans that reimburse the most for out-of-network and works to attract patients from that payor.
Ms. Boyd offered nine steps to set up a successful ASC:
- Set clear expectations
- Provide context
- Seek commitment
- Communicate and promote the team’s mission
- Choose the right skill sets
- Find staff who are engaged learners
- Instill excitement
- Encourage free-thinking
- Plan for growth
She also offered several ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ for training ASC staff.
Her list of dos included:
- Using practice or real-life scenarios to bring facts and theory alive.
- Allowing staff to work in groups (if practical) to pool ideas and learn from each other.
- Sharing feedback with larger group and a facilitator.
- Allowing employees to explore “what if” situations or histories.
- Using visual media such as video, photos and diagrams to teach ASC staff.
Her list of don’ts included:
- Merely demonstrating techniques and not allowing new employees to handle the equipment or carry out actions.
- Expecting learners to be proficient after only one or two attempts.
- Leaving mistakes uncorrected, especially “in the theory surrounding a practical subject.”
- Going through an entire demonstration without breaking it down into sections for the learners to digest at a comfortable speed.
Ms. Boyd said Crane Creek Surgery Center relies on dry surgical runs to provide staff with the necessary confidence to carry out a successful and safe surgery.
More Articles Related to Improving ASC Performance:
5 Key Steps to Improve Profits in ASCs
5 Keys to Transforming a Surgery Center into a Profitable Business
Case Costing, Benchmarking and More: 10 Ways to Improve Profits in ASCs
