Opened: April 1993
Annual case volume: 3,500 cases
Specialties: Gastroenterology
Number of physician investors/physician users: Five physician investors/10 physician users
Corporate partner: HCA Healthcare
What makes it great: Employees at Ambulatory Endoscopy Clinic of Dallas reap the benefits of the ambulatory surgery center’s partnership with HCA, now in its 15th year. Staff members receive many benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance, a great 401k plan and tuition reimbursement, according to Jennifer Cahill, business office manager for the ASC.
HCA also makes sure the staff members can provide the highest, and still cost-effective, care for its patients. “We have access to funds for necessary capital purchases to ensure patients’ needs are being met,” says Ms. Cahill. “HCA provides valuable resources including national vendor pricing, which helps keep our costs down, to a whole network of experts at the corporate level to assist with contract negotiations, legal issues and financial questions that arise at the center level. Their safety and education programs ensure we are treating patients in a safe and secure manner and that patients are treated with respect.”
The ASC employs a very tight-knit group of 21 people who often share lunch together and offer support to one another, which has translated into happy employees, says Ms. Cahill. “When problems come up they are immediately addressed to help foster an environment of trust and equality,” she says. “Our clinical staff is accountable to one another and they work together to solve issues that arise. All clinical staff is encouraged to offer ideas no matter what letters appear behind their name. Management supports employee efforts to improve on processes to make sure work flow is efficient.”
The business office employs five veteran staff members who are crossed-trained and understand the full revenue cycle. “No one has just one job function, which keeps employees from getting bored and making mistakes,” says Ms. Cahill. “At monthly staff meetings all employees are encouraged to submit topics for discussion.”
