Several orthopedic procedures are becoming more commonplace in the outpatient setting.
Two orthopedic surgeons connected with Becker's to answer, "What's next for outpatient orthopedic surgery?"
Ask Orthopedic Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting orthopedic care. We invite all orthopedic surgeon and specialist responses.
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Please send responses to Riz Hatton at rhatton@beckershealthcare.com by 5 p.m. CDT Thursday, May 9.
Note: These responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Earl Kilbride, MD. Orthopedic Surgeon at Austin (Texas) Orthopedic Institute: Outpatient orthopedic surgery will continue to make strides in the total joint market. Right now, the majority of total joints are still being performed as an inpatient or short stay episode. With the Medicare allowance of total shoulders in the ASC, the volumes of shoulders will only grow. As companies self-insure and look for ways to save while providing exceptional care, totals in all joints will move to the ASCs. The studies support the economics and clinical outcomes. The ASC is adapting to these cases. They are hiring navigators and therapists to help with throughput. The joint companies are modifying their technologies as well. One company has a two-tray total hip and a tabletop navigation/kinematic unit. Others utilized disposable cutting guides. Home health companies have increased their exposure to the patients as well.
Philip Louie, MD. Spine Surgeon at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (Tacoma, Wash.): Developing models for Centers of Excellence. How so? Well, as the healthcare landscape is pushing toward an eventual value-based care model (and potential smaller population-based models), outpatient surgery centers need to better harness data and analytics. Precision analytics and time-driven activity-based costing will be crucial for driving clinical and financial performance in these outpatient surgery programs.
This data can also be used to strategically invest in innovations that will allow for safer surgery through smaller soft-tissue footprints and improve the outcomes of the surgeries being performed. As more care transitions to outpatient settings, data harnessing and analytics becomes more streamlined, and investments in innovation improve outcomes — these outpatient programs will become even more renowned and serve as preferred destinations. Thus, potentially earning additional key accreditations that will grow these programs and advance patient surgical care.