Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) are booming. More than 6,200 ASCs are in the U.S. and perform around 23 million procedures each year. And their numbers are growing. In 2016 alone, almost 90 new centers were established nationwide — for good reason.
This proves that bigger isn’t always better when it comes to healthcare. While there is a long list of reasons for patients to opt for ASCs over hospitals — including smaller size and more intimate and personalized care — patients are also treated in new, clean facilities, often with brand-new, state-of-the-art equipment.
However, the glossy outward appearance of many ASCs often masks a behind-the-scenes reality stuck firmly in the 20th century.
Despite having incredible equipment and paraphernalia in the operating room, many ASCs still rely heavily on pen and paper and not enough on surgical coordination technology, which could greatly increase their efficiency and, most importantly, their bottom line.
ASCs Are Stuck In the 20th Century With Paperwork
It’s not uncommon for paper file records to be transferred by hand and physically moved within the same building. Some surgical coordinators even enter dates in an appointment book (yes, they still make those) or input data into various computerized systems that were not designed to manage surgeries.
This means there is the potential not only for vital information or patient histories to literally slip through the cracks (not to mention HIPAA infringements) but also for valuable OR block time to go unused.
Even when ASCs do use technologies to manage surgeries, there are typically several different programs and systems, and staff still struggle to share information with the practice’s back office.
Equally critical, they cannot share data with other important players in the field — such as equipment vendors — to ensure the operating rooms are supplied and cleared on time.
Surgery Coordination Systems Can Drastically Increase Efficiency and Transparency
So, what can a dedicated surgical coordinating system do? In addition to ensuring that surgeries are coordinated efficiently and records kept up-to-date, using the right software can:
- Eliminate downtime and wasted slots in the OR
- Ensure the optimal number of surgeries are scheduled each day
- Cut down overhead and eliminate unnecessary expenses on ‘light’ or no surgery days
- Allow for busy surgeons to easily track and monitor their schedules
Knowing exactly when their blocks are at the ASC lets them better coordinate their block time at other hospitals. With all the information they need at their fingertips, surgeons can also make changes to their personal schedules without creating panic or disruption to everyone else in the office.
But it’s not just the surgeons who get a better picture of their schedule. Everyone involved in the surgery — nurses, anesthesiologists, and equipment vendors — can easily track schedules and be alerted to any changes, so no one’s time is wasted.
Let’s not forget the other crucial element in the equation — patients. An up-to-date surgical coordination system means patients can leave their initial appointment at the practice with a confirmed surgery date. No more waiting, checking, phone tag, or whatever else happens in the labyrinthine hospital system.
It’s Time for ASCs to Embrace Technology
When it comes down to it, no matter how many top-notch surgeries they perform or how intimate and effective the care they provide until ASCs fully embrace technology, their potential for growth — financially and in terms of procedure volume — will be stunted.
Rather than trying to force a bunch of outdated programs or even PMS or EHR systems to ‘fit’ your scheduling workflow, the best thing to do is to start over and investigate specialized surgical coordination solutions for your particular ASC’s needs.
Doing so will free up valuable staff time for work other than double — or triple-inputting information. More importantly, it will get everyone on the same electronic page regarding patient care.
