Surgery centers can save money and gain valuable expertise by outsourcing surgical services to third-party companies, which provide surgical assistants, technicians and the necessary equipment and supplies. Some facilities contract with an outsourcing company directly and others bring a company in at the request of a new surgeon, enabling the ASC to offer ophthalmic surgery capabilities.
However, ASC staff members may struggle to accept outsourced team members at first, pushing back against the presence of strangers and well-intentioned suggestions. Paula Butt, a surgical technician with ophthalmic outsourcing company Sightpath Medical, discusses six ways ASC administrators can help integrate outsourced staff into a pre-existing surgical team.
1. Remind staff that outsourced team members are not there to replace anyone. Ms. Butt says the most common misconception she encounters in hospitals and surgery centers is the idea that outsourced staff members have been hired to replace current staff. "We're not there to replace anybody," she says. "When we go into facilities, sometimes we encounter staff members who wonder who we'll end up replacing, which simply isn't the case.
Hospital and ASC management can help the situation by reminding team members that outsourced staff are there to complement the existing employees and enable them to focus on other important tasks rather than make them obsolete.
2. Before surgery, responsibilities of the outsourced staff should be outlined in detail. Ms. Butt says every surgical facility is different, and outsourced surgical technicians may be fully trained and able to perform duties in one facility that they are barred from in others. For example, in some facilities, Ms. Butt cleans her own instruments, whereas in other facilities this function is performed by the sterile processing department staff. In some facilities, she administers eye drops, whereas in others it is required that an RN completes this task.
When her company is hired by a new facility, Ms. Butt visits a few days before the surgery to go over the requirements of her position. Even though she's performing the same job at multiple locations, she says it helps to learn what her specific role will be at each facility in terms of equipment use, patient treatment and sterilization.
3. Go over equipment before the day of surgery. Ms. Butt says she also visits facilities before surgery to run through the equipment that will be introduced to the facility and discuss the protocols for inventory management of ophthalmic supplies, which her company handles for its clients. "I bring my equipment and offer my help to the OR director or charge nurse," she says. "I can come in and do an in-service, and most facilities appreciate that."
Ms. Butt notes that some facilities ask her to come in on a yearly basis to go over how to use the machines, equipment, instruments and pharmaceuticals. At the very least, she recommends facilities invite their technicians for an in-service before they use the outsourcing company for the first time. "You don't just want to show up the day of surgery and find out that nobody knows why you're there or what you're supposed to do," she says.
4. Listen to suggestions from outsourced staff members. Ms. Butt's company offers technicians who are NBSTSA certified and specialized in ophthalmic procedures. They perform ophthalmic surgeries every day, while in many facilities, the staff only see these cases once a month. Therefore, the outsourced staff can bring a level of expertise to a hospital or surgery center and can greatly benefit the facility by providing valuable insights on the surgical process. Ms. Butt says she can often recommend videos or other online tutorials that would help staff members prepare for cataract surgery or improve their skills. She says she can also offer tips on how to shorten turnover time, which is a valuable skill in cataract surgery since the cases are so short.
Prior to using an outsourcing company, remind staff members that they can learn a lot from outsourced technicians if they keep an open mind. Staff members may be hesitant to accept advice, so let them know you have faith in their ability but want them to take advantage of the opportunity to continue learning.
5. Set up cues between outsourced team members and ASC staff. Ms. Butt advises surgery staff members to set up cues between outsourced team members and current employees to make the surgery run more smoothly. For example, when they see her move the scope over, it's time to turn off the lights. If they see her hand off the lens, it's time for staff to get ready to put the lens in. Simple cues like these can help staff members feel in control of the surgical process and can help Ms. Butt do her job as efficiently as possible.
Set up some time before surgery for the outsourced staff to discuss surgical cues with your ASC employees.
6. Discuss the surgeon's preferences with his or her technicians. Staff members should talk to outsourced technicians about the surgeon's preferences and quirks to make sure they are not caught off guard. Every surgeon is different, and the outsourced technician or your surgery center staff members may have trouble adjusting to a new surgeon. Ms. Butt says, "I let staff members know my surgeon listens to music during surgery and that you have to listen up when he speaks. I try to turn them on to his little nuances and let them know they shouldn't get frazzled if he speaks loudly to a patient to get their attention when they're in twilight."
When introducing outsourced staff into your team, allow time to discuss surgeon and team preferences to ensure the smoothest integration possible.
Learn more about SightPath Medical.
Related Articles on Outsourcing ASC Services:
Decreasing Average Days in A/R From 100 to 35: Thoughts From Becky Ziegler-Otis
Outsourcing Key Areas of Your Business Office: Q&A With Pinnacle III Executives
6 Things to Know About Pharmaceuticals and Outsourcing Pharmaceutical Solutions
However, ASC staff members may struggle to accept outsourced team members at first, pushing back against the presence of strangers and well-intentioned suggestions. Paula Butt, a surgical technician with ophthalmic outsourcing company Sightpath Medical, discusses six ways ASC administrators can help integrate outsourced staff into a pre-existing surgical team.
1. Remind staff that outsourced team members are not there to replace anyone. Ms. Butt says the most common misconception she encounters in hospitals and surgery centers is the idea that outsourced staff members have been hired to replace current staff. "We're not there to replace anybody," she says. "When we go into facilities, sometimes we encounter staff members who wonder who we'll end up replacing, which simply isn't the case.
Hospital and ASC management can help the situation by reminding team members that outsourced staff are there to complement the existing employees and enable them to focus on other important tasks rather than make them obsolete.
2. Before surgery, responsibilities of the outsourced staff should be outlined in detail. Ms. Butt says every surgical facility is different, and outsourced surgical technicians may be fully trained and able to perform duties in one facility that they are barred from in others. For example, in some facilities, Ms. Butt cleans her own instruments, whereas in other facilities this function is performed by the sterile processing department staff. In some facilities, she administers eye drops, whereas in others it is required that an RN completes this task.
When her company is hired by a new facility, Ms. Butt visits a few days before the surgery to go over the requirements of her position. Even though she's performing the same job at multiple locations, she says it helps to learn what her specific role will be at each facility in terms of equipment use, patient treatment and sterilization.
3. Go over equipment before the day of surgery. Ms. Butt says she also visits facilities before surgery to run through the equipment that will be introduced to the facility and discuss the protocols for inventory management of ophthalmic supplies, which her company handles for its clients. "I bring my equipment and offer my help to the OR director or charge nurse," she says. "I can come in and do an in-service, and most facilities appreciate that."
Ms. Butt notes that some facilities ask her to come in on a yearly basis to go over how to use the machines, equipment, instruments and pharmaceuticals. At the very least, she recommends facilities invite their technicians for an in-service before they use the outsourcing company for the first time. "You don't just want to show up the day of surgery and find out that nobody knows why you're there or what you're supposed to do," she says.
4. Listen to suggestions from outsourced staff members. Ms. Butt's company offers technicians who are NBSTSA certified and specialized in ophthalmic procedures. They perform ophthalmic surgeries every day, while in many facilities, the staff only see these cases once a month. Therefore, the outsourced staff can bring a level of expertise to a hospital or surgery center and can greatly benefit the facility by providing valuable insights on the surgical process. Ms. Butt says she can often recommend videos or other online tutorials that would help staff members prepare for cataract surgery or improve their skills. She says she can also offer tips on how to shorten turnover time, which is a valuable skill in cataract surgery since the cases are so short.
Prior to using an outsourcing company, remind staff members that they can learn a lot from outsourced technicians if they keep an open mind. Staff members may be hesitant to accept advice, so let them know you have faith in their ability but want them to take advantage of the opportunity to continue learning.
5. Set up cues between outsourced team members and ASC staff. Ms. Butt advises surgery staff members to set up cues between outsourced team members and current employees to make the surgery run more smoothly. For example, when they see her move the scope over, it's time to turn off the lights. If they see her hand off the lens, it's time for staff to get ready to put the lens in. Simple cues like these can help staff members feel in control of the surgical process and can help Ms. Butt do her job as efficiently as possible.
Set up some time before surgery for the outsourced staff to discuss surgical cues with your ASC employees.
6. Discuss the surgeon's preferences with his or her technicians. Staff members should talk to outsourced technicians about the surgeon's preferences and quirks to make sure they are not caught off guard. Every surgeon is different, and the outsourced technician or your surgery center staff members may have trouble adjusting to a new surgeon. Ms. Butt says, "I let staff members know my surgeon listens to music during surgery and that you have to listen up when he speaks. I try to turn them on to his little nuances and let them know they shouldn't get frazzled if he speaks loudly to a patient to get their attention when they're in twilight."
When introducing outsourced staff into your team, allow time to discuss surgeon and team preferences to ensure the smoothest integration possible.
Learn more about SightPath Medical.
Related Articles on Outsourcing ASC Services:
Decreasing Average Days in A/R From 100 to 35: Thoughts From Becky Ziegler-Otis
Outsourcing Key Areas of Your Business Office: Q&A With Pinnacle III Executives
6 Things to Know About Pharmaceuticals and Outsourcing Pharmaceutical Solutions