Running a surgery center requires a range of equipment. In most cases, ASCs can’t afford to purchase every instrument needed for a wide range of procedures. Coupled with a lack of storage space, most ASCs opt to use at least some loaner equipment. While this strategy can save a significant amount of money, it requires a high level of organization. Here’s what your ASC can do to improve your vendor management systems.

Surgery Center of Fairbanks had already been working with One Medical Passport for online patient registration before COVID-19. Once COVID-19 hit, they decided to integrate Engage, One Medical Passport’s patient communication solution. This allowed Fairbanks to communicate with patients and their loved ones on COVID-19 screening results, all of their new social distancing and waiting room guidelines, as well as surgical updates (so family members could completely avoid the waiting room.)

COVID-19 has rocked our world—from how we work to how we access healthcare to how we connect with each other. Recent research found that during the coronavirus pandemic, video chatting apps and social media website usage spiked significantly, in some cases up to 80%! What does that mean for older patients? Well, they probably are not as technologically disconnected as you might think. 

Let's face it- staff at ambulatory surgery centers often haven't been trained in marketing their facility. They're medical professionals, not marketing gurus! Every facility wants a full OR to bring in as much revenue and as many patients as possible, but it's tricky to do this without insight on marketing. Our very own Marketing Director, Melissa Gall, outlined a few steps to follow to better market your facility and keep your OR full.

The twofold goal of every ASC is the same: provide excellent ambulatory care, increase revenue. When we think of growing revenue, we often focus only on filling up the OR and working more efficiently. But payment plans are a crucial way to avoid leaving money on the table. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic curve starts to flatten in some states, you are probably itching to ramp back up to full speed in your ASC. As we ease into a post-pandemic new normal, consider these tips for ramping up to full capacity post-COVID-19.  

What exactly are Patient Tracking Boards? What makes them so crucial to have in my facility?

As your ASC resumes surgeries, patients and staff members alike will likely have many questions about infection prevention and new safety measures. And to increase your culture of safety, reassuring and communicating with your employees and patients is crucial.