Name: Head & Neck Surgery Center (Hattiesburg, Miss.)
Opened: Jan. 1990
Annual case volume: 1,000-2,000 cases
Specialties: Otolaryngology
Number of physician investors/physician users: Three physician-owners
What makes it great: Although Head & Neck Surgery Center may be a small facility, its attention to patient care, patient satisfaction and cost-efficiency has made this center a stand-out organization in the community.
The center, which is Medicare-certified and AAAHC-accredited, is staffed with three physician-owners, two anesthesiologists, a registered-nurse surgery director, four registered nurses and two surgical technicians. The facility itself has undergone an extensive two-year makeover that was completed last year. The newly made-up facility now houses a new patient changing area, new nursing station and an overall cosmetic redesign to the whole center. It is still undergoing some ventilation updating to improve the air quality for its patients and employees, says Chas Pierce, MPH, administrator.
To ensure patients are taken care of to the fullest extent, the center operates on only one patient at a time “so that the patient is the absolute center of attention,” Mr. Pierce says. The center’s focus on patient safety is clearly demonstrated: Infection control and patient transfer rates at Head & Neck Surgery Center have consistently been below national standards.
The center is also concerned with maintaining high employee satisfaction. To express appreciation to its employees, the center distributes a Christmas bonus and other offerings, such as employee lunches and an “Employee of the Month” award.
ENT Properties, of which Head & Neck is a subsidiary, also plans to establish an “Employee Appreciation Week” starting this year. “During the week, each day will involve an event that shows appreciation to the employee,” Mr. Pierce says. “Events include a cash money draw down, a dessert contest, coffee and donut day and candy day. The week will conclude with the physicians and administrator cooking out for all employees.”
