Bill Heath, chief development officer of Practice Partners in Healthcare, discusses four issues that arise when starting an ASC.
1. Will physicians cooperate? A successful ASC needs physicians who cooperate well with each other. Single specialty ASCs can have fewer conflicts because they can be based on one or two group practices. Multispecialty ASCs can be more difficult because "you often have to cobble together a random group of doctors," Mr. Heath says.
2. Do the plans make sense? In many cases, the ASC looks great on paper, but problems are lurking under the surface. For example, the estimated volume of cases seems sufficient, but one physician's practice is on the opposite side of town from the proposed site. How likely is it that this physician will drive across town every day to do cases there?
3. Will practice patterns mesh? If everyone wants a 7 a.m. start time, it's not going to work. Someone has to agree to do cases in the afternoon. There have to be physicians in the group who are flexible. A mix of specialties with different practice patterns also helps.
4. What does each physician really want? Sometimes the enthusiasm of the group sweeps up physicians who actually have second thoughts about participating in an ASC. A one-on-one discussion with each physician can reveal the true picture.
Learn more about Practice Partners in Healthcare.
Read more insight from the leadership of Practice Partners in Healthcare:
- 10 Best Practices for Recruiting New Partners to Your ASC
- ASC Best Practice: Keep Reevaluating Custom Packs and Trays
1. Will physicians cooperate? A successful ASC needs physicians who cooperate well with each other. Single specialty ASCs can have fewer conflicts because they can be based on one or two group practices. Multispecialty ASCs can be more difficult because "you often have to cobble together a random group of doctors," Mr. Heath says.
2. Do the plans make sense? In many cases, the ASC looks great on paper, but problems are lurking under the surface. For example, the estimated volume of cases seems sufficient, but one physician's practice is on the opposite side of town from the proposed site. How likely is it that this physician will drive across town every day to do cases there?
3. Will practice patterns mesh? If everyone wants a 7 a.m. start time, it's not going to work. Someone has to agree to do cases in the afternoon. There have to be physicians in the group who are flexible. A mix of specialties with different practice patterns also helps.
4. What does each physician really want? Sometimes the enthusiasm of the group sweeps up physicians who actually have second thoughts about participating in an ASC. A one-on-one discussion with each physician can reveal the true picture.
Learn more about Practice Partners in Healthcare.
Read more insight from the leadership of Practice Partners in Healthcare:
- 10 Best Practices for Recruiting New Partners to Your ASC
- ASC Best Practice: Keep Reevaluating Custom Packs and Trays