Cardiology is emerging as one of the next major frontiers for outpatient migration, as more cardiovascular procedures become viable in ASCs and providers look to expand access while lowering costs.
But building an outpatient cardiology program involves far more than shifting cases out of the hospital. Mitesh Amin, MD, CEO of Aligned Cardio and president of Southpark Heart & Rhythm in Colonial Heights, Va., told Becker’s that the bigger opportunity — and challenge — lies in building the clinical and operational infrastructure needed to support the entire cardiovascular patient journey.
Dr. Amin recently joined Becker’s to discuss what leaders often overlook when expanding outpatient cardiology.
Question: What’s the most overlooked component of expanding or adding outpatient cardiology service lines?
Mitesh Amin, MD. CEO of Aligned Cardio and President of Southpark Heart & Rhythm (Colonial Heights, Va.): I think the most overlooked component is that outpatient cardiology cannot simply be viewed as a volume migration strategy. Moving appropriate procedures from a hospital to an ASC can create significant efficiencies, but the real opportunity is to redesign how cardiovascular care is delivered.
That requires thinking about the entire patient journey — appropriate patient selection, clinical quality, access, scheduling, physician alignment, payer relationships, and coordination of care before and after the procedure. Cardiovascular procedures are also fundamentally different from many of the specialties that have historically driven ASC growth. Building the facility is one part of it; developing the clinical and operational infrastructure around it is where much of the work lies.
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.
