Alan Beyer, MD, of Orthopedic Surgery Center of Orange County in Newport Beach, Calif., discusses four ways the surgery center has expanded orthopedic practice at the surgery center.
1. Recruit additional physicians to the staff. Any small orthopedics-driven surgery center wanting to expand should first consider adding more orthopedic specialists. Dr. Beyer says adding six orthopedic surgeons since its inception in 1999 has helped drastically expand the surgery center, which has led to growth in its case volume.
"Constantly getting physicians on board has really helped the growth of the orthopedic practice," he says. "We sometimes advertise in journals, such as the HAND, which is the journal published by the American Association for Hand Surgery. Most of the physicians have sought us out, though, because we have a very good reputation and are closely associated with Hoag Hospital, our joint-venture partner."
2. Add orthopedic procedures. Dr. Beyer explains the spectrum of orthopedic procedures has grown considerably other the last decade, so incorporating those growing number of procedures to an orthopedics-driven ASC will help it expand. Procedures such as total hip replacement, which typically used to require overnight stay, have become standard across outpatient orthopedic surgery centers.
"More and more procedures that needed to be performed in an inpatient setting are now being shifted to an outpatient venue," he says. "We perform almost every orthopedic procedure at the surgery center with the exception of total knee surgery, which usually requires two days' stay in the hospital, and major trauma procedures such as major hip fractures."
3. Align physicians with the center. Dr. Beyer also attributes the growth and successes of the facility to the alignment of physician-owners with the surgery center. The alignment has allowed the surgery center to grow because physicians are more invested in its success, he says.
"Our physicians are always coming to the administration with new tools or equipment that come out, saying that it's going to enable better quality care. That's really showing the success and growth of this facility is physician-driven," he says. "ASCs and physicians used to fight each other, but once they align that's what's going to drive the future of healthcare."
4. Market the surgery center. Prioritizing patient care above all else results in high rates of patient satisfaction, which can help an orthopedics-driven surgery center create a significantly greater presence in the community.
"Our surgery center is very patient-centric, so all of our patients spread by word of mouth the good experiences they have here," Dr. Beyer says. "Patients see we do the procedures well because they get good outcomes. A lot of it also has to do with being a vital part of the community. During the school year, our staff takes care of the local high school football team during their Friday night games. Those are the kinds of things you can do for your community, and when they need help they'll remember you."
Learn more about Orthopedic Surgery Center of Orange County.
1. Recruit additional physicians to the staff. Any small orthopedics-driven surgery center wanting to expand should first consider adding more orthopedic specialists. Dr. Beyer says adding six orthopedic surgeons since its inception in 1999 has helped drastically expand the surgery center, which has led to growth in its case volume.
"Constantly getting physicians on board has really helped the growth of the orthopedic practice," he says. "We sometimes advertise in journals, such as the HAND, which is the journal published by the American Association for Hand Surgery. Most of the physicians have sought us out, though, because we have a very good reputation and are closely associated with Hoag Hospital, our joint-venture partner."
2. Add orthopedic procedures. Dr. Beyer explains the spectrum of orthopedic procedures has grown considerably other the last decade, so incorporating those growing number of procedures to an orthopedics-driven ASC will help it expand. Procedures such as total hip replacement, which typically used to require overnight stay, have become standard across outpatient orthopedic surgery centers.
"More and more procedures that needed to be performed in an inpatient setting are now being shifted to an outpatient venue," he says. "We perform almost every orthopedic procedure at the surgery center with the exception of total knee surgery, which usually requires two days' stay in the hospital, and major trauma procedures such as major hip fractures."
3. Align physicians with the center. Dr. Beyer also attributes the growth and successes of the facility to the alignment of physician-owners with the surgery center. The alignment has allowed the surgery center to grow because physicians are more invested in its success, he says.
"Our physicians are always coming to the administration with new tools or equipment that come out, saying that it's going to enable better quality care. That's really showing the success and growth of this facility is physician-driven," he says. "ASCs and physicians used to fight each other, but once they align that's what's going to drive the future of healthcare."
4. Market the surgery center. Prioritizing patient care above all else results in high rates of patient satisfaction, which can help an orthopedics-driven surgery center create a significantly greater presence in the community.
"Our surgery center is very patient-centric, so all of our patients spread by word of mouth the good experiences they have here," Dr. Beyer says. "Patients see we do the procedures well because they get good outcomes. A lot of it also has to do with being a vital part of the community. During the school year, our staff takes care of the local high school football team during their Friday night games. Those are the kinds of things you can do for your community, and when they need help they'll remember you."
Learn more about Orthopedic Surgery Center of Orange County.