Joanne McLaughlin, administrator of the center, says that the center’s level of care is the reason why the surgery center performs well in a very competitive market. “We treat our patients like family — from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave for home,” she says.
Columbia Urological Surgery Center (Columbia, Md.). Columbia Urological Surgery Center is the surgery center associated with Central Maryland Urology Associates. The Center has been rated among the best ASCs in the nation, according to the Joint Commission. The Joint Commission gave the CUSC its approval “with commendation” in 1997, an honor awarded to only 10 percent of the healthcare organizations accredited that year. The center is home to six urologists who perform approximately 3,000 procedures annually. The center offers a variety of treatments for urological conditions including laparoscopic surgery, kidney stone treatment, prostate diagnostic screening and evaluation of sexual dysfunction in both sexes. In August, CUSC moved into a brand-new surgical suite, allowing the center to double its previous size size. The new center features a complete state-of-the-art operating room and the latest technology in urological surgery.
Columbus Eye Surgery Center (Columbus, Ohio). Columbus Eye Surgery Center, which opened in 1996, was the first outpatient surgery center in the Columbus, Ohio, area dedicated to eye surgery. The physician-owned facility offers the latest outpatient ophthalmology procedures including cataract, glaucoma, eye lid, retina and laser surgery in addition to cornea transplants, diabetic eye treatment and brow lift surgery. The ASC is used by almost 30 physicians and features three licensed operating rooms. The center performed approximately 3,900 procedures last year.
According to Toni Van Horn, executive director, Columbus Eye Surgery Center has remained successful because of its continued commitment to treating the eye. The well-established center has chosen to forgo adding other specialties, which it at one time considered, in order to focus only on the eye. “Our dedication to the eye has allowed us to become an efficient center. We have also been able to provide great patient outcomes and offer patients easy access to eye treatment because of this dedication,” she says.
Endoscopy Center of Western New York (Williamsville, N.Y.). Endoscopy Center of Western New York opened in March 2004 and is managed by Physicians Endoscopy. The ASC performs 10,100 procedures annually and specializes in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, upper endoscopy/EGD, colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. The 7,300 square-foot center features four procedure rooms and has 11 physicians on staff. The ASC enjoys strong and positive relationships with local hospital systems in Buffalo, with the physicians providing full-time clinical GI coverage for four of the hospitals in the area.
Indiana Orthopaedic Surgery Center (Indianapolis, Ind.). The Indiana Orthopedic Surgery Center opened in 2002 as a partnership between OrthoIndy and St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers. The center offers full service orthopedic care from fracture reductions to spine surgery and total knee replacement. The facility offers block scheduling to 12 orthopedic surgeons and features state-of-the-art ORs with Stryker Sydne voice activated control and Web and telecast capabilities. Indiana Orthopaedic also offers pain management procedures and has a full-time anesthesiologist on staff.
According to Jane Keller, RN, MBA, CEO of Indiana Orthopaedic Hospital, the surgery center has thrived because of its focus on orthopedics. “Our center’s success is mainly due to our center being a single specialty facility. It allows staff and physicians to focus solely on orthopedics. Staff trained in orthopedics allows for efficiencies for our patients and our physician owners,” she says.
Matrix Surgery Center (Saginaw, Mich.). Matrix Surgery Center is the ambulatory surgery facility for Matrix Pain Management, an interventional pain management practice in Saginaw, Mich. The Joint Commission-accredited center, a partnership between Matrix and Titan Health, allows Matrix’s physicians to meet their goal of providing comprehensive pain care to patients without utilizing facilities outside the Matrix network. Matrix Surgery Center was developed as a $3 million, 3,500 square-foot expansion to the Matrix medical facility and features three state-of-the-art operating rooms and five treatment rooms.
Michigan Endoscopy Center (Farmington Hill, Mich.). Michigan Endoscopy Center specializes in all types of GI procedures including colonoscopy, upper endoscopy and EGD. MEC has six operating rooms and 16 physicians who perform approximately 16,900 procedures annually. According to the mission statement of the center, MEC is dedicated to promoting high-quality endoscopic services and concentrates it services on members of the local community. The center’s mission also includes promoting the accessibility of its services for all persons, with particular emphasis on improving access for traditionally under-served populations, including ethnic minorities and persons of low-income status. Brien Fausone, administrator of MEC, says that a key to the center’s success is the highly-trained and experienced clinical staff. “It’s an all-star team of clinicians,” Mr. Fausone says.
The Musgrove Ear Nose & Throat Ambulatory Surgery Center (Silver Spring, Md.). The Musgrove Ear Nose & Throat Ambulatory Surgery Center was opened in 1997 by local ENT surgeons interested in providing outpatient surgical care in the Silver Spring, Md., area. The center has been designed and is operated by the surgeons and a small team of professionals to provide safe, convenient surgical care in a relaxed and comfortable setting. Musgrove ENT ASC is Medicare-certified, and is accredited by the Joint Commission. The facility’s four physicians provide all types of otolaryngology-specific care including head and sinus surgery, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and treatment of diseases of the oral cavity, nose and paranasal sinuses. The center also offers complete audiology services including audiology testing, special testing and hearing aid services.
New Mexico Orthopaedic Surgery Center (Albuquerque, N.M.). New Mexico Orthopaedic Surgery Center is an orthopedic-focused ASC with more than 100 physicians on staff. The Joint Commission-accredited ASC opened in 2001 and performs more than 2,500 procedures annually. The mission of the United Surgical Partners International-affiliated ASC is to provide first-class surgical service in a safe and welcoming environment and aims to be a service-oriented alternative to the hospital for patients’ surgical needs.
According to Ron Rives, administrator of the center, the ASC’s success relates primarily to its involved partners, which includes 18 orthopedic surgeons, three pain management physicians, one podiatrist, its staff and corporate partner United Surgical Partners International. “Many of our employees have been here from the beginning of the [ASC] in 2000, which provides for consistent delivery of care and well as strong physician/employee relations,” says Mr. Rives. The ASC continues to grow and will expand with a $3.5 million renovation to add two ORs, a procedure room and expanded pre- and post-operative areas, beginning in Dec. 2010.
Orthopaedic Surgery Center of San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas). Orthopaedic Surgery Center of San Antonio is the ASC of the San Antonio Orthopaedic Group, one of the largest groups of orthopedic surgeons in South Texas. The AAAHC-accredited ASC features six operating rooms and one procedure room, and the center’s 24 physicians and 50 staff members perform approximately 4,500 procedures annually. The Orthopaedic Surgery Center’s physicians specialize in all areas of orthopedics including sports medicine, shoulder, knee, hand, foot, ankle and spine, and the ASC is actively involved with the ASC Association.
Lauri R. Rose, MBA, CASC, director of ambulatory services, says that the success of the ASC is due to a number of factors, including its physician ownership and excellent staff. “Our physicians are not just owners. They are partners in the total care of our patients through our physician practice, The San Antonio Orthopaedic Group, and care deeply about excellent patient outcomes,” she says. “[Our staff members] show a commitment everyday to quality patient care that is unsurpassed to the care and customer service that the patients would receive in the hospital setting.”
The Orthopedic Surgery Center of Arizona (Phoenix, Ariz.). The Orthopedic Surgery Center of Arizona is a physician-owned, state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center that specializes in orthopedics. The AAAHC-approved ASC was developed by 15 orthopedic surgeons and Cornerstone Surgical Partners. All of the ASC’s physicians, nurses and healthcare professionals are all actively involved in the operational decision-making and aim to provide the utmost in quality care and personalized service. The Orthopedic Surgery Center of Arizona maintains a percent patient satisfaction rating above 98 and now uses this rating as a minimum standard.
