claims to insurance companies."
Welcome patients
Monticello Community Surgery Center in Charlottesville, Va.,
could have reopened all four of its ORs on May 4, but opted for
two instead. The facility wants time to test the new COVID-19
screening measures, patient registration processes and cleaning
protocols. "We'd rather start smaller and build up rather than go
full-bore and find out that we have to dial things back," says CEO
Andy Poole.
Mr. Poole says there hasn't been a huge number of patients putting
off getting surgery because of a fear of contracting the coronavirus,
but there has been some. Staff at Monticello therefore created a writ-
ten document for physicians to distribute to patients at their pre-op
evaluations.
"It includes a rundown of the additional precautions we've taken
and a list of new things they can expect, such as having their tempera-
tures taken and having to wear masks and gloves, and informing them
that their visitors will have to wait in the car," says Mr. Poole. "The
message is that these things are all being done on their behalf, to keep
them safe while they're here."
Market your services
It's now more important than ever for surgery centers to put
on their marketing and promotional hats, says Mr. Gruebele. "ASCs
have become accustomed to patients following physicians into
their facilities," he adds. "This is an opportunity to start telling
patients about how outpatient surgery produces lower infection
and readmission rates."
Even though elective surgeries have been allowed to resume, it's
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