1. Recruit a pain physician who can perform the full spectrum of services. Ms. Phillips says the surgery center is in the process of recruiting a physician who is able to provide the full range of care to patients with chronic pain, including radio frequency ablations, spinal cord stimulation and epidural injections.
“Right now, we’re just doing the epidural injection,” Ms. Phillip says. “What I’m looking for is a physician who can do everything, so patients can get all types of treatments. Hypothetically, they can start with an epidural, but if that doesn’t work they can move onto another treatment to remedy the pain. It’s really difficult to find pain physician who can do all that.”
2. Keep up with technology. With all the frequent advances in technology in pain management, keeping in good contact with vendors of pain care supplies or working with GPOs can help ASCs stay aware of and acquire the most cutting-edge technology to their facilities.
“We try our best to stay on top of being the most technologically advanced center,” Ms. Phillips says.
3. Train staff to be competent in pain management. Southgate works with its GPO to provide in-services for physicians on how to use the facility’s equipment properly and effectively during procedures. The education extends to employees as well.
“We worked with our GPO to train our employees and physicians on how to do radio frequency ablations on cadavers,” Ms. Phillips says. “The staff doesn’t do the procedures, but they will assist physicians. The staff has to know all that theory and practice in case patients call to ask post-operative questions.”
4. Maintain equipment. Maintaining equipment, such as a C-arm, is essential not only in taking care of patients but physicians and employees as well. Going the extra mile in equipment maintenance shows everyone — including patients, staff and physicians — that safety is a priority at the surgery center.
“We have preventative maintenance done every six months with our C-arm, and the entire staff uses radioactive badges that measure their exposure to radiation,” Ms. Phillips says. “Every three months, those badges are sent to a company who reads the badges and tells us how much radiation any one staff member is exposed to. Everyday maintenance has to occur to protect patients and staff.”
Learn more about Southgate Surgery Center.
