4. Add EMRs
If it's an option, upgrading to electronic medical
records can improve your center's productivity and
accuracy. "In 2018, we went to an EMR system,
which we built from the ground up to specifically
meet the needs of our surgery center," says Ms.
Cowart. "We continue to tweak
and add procedures as
needed. The system is user-
friendly and flows in the same
manner as our previous paper
charts. Even our older staff mem-
bers — myself included — adapt-
ed easily. Everything's on an
iPad. There's no more flipping
around in charts."
She says it's now a simple fin-
ger-press to see if a patient gave
consent, access pre-op vitals or
quickly determine what medica-
tions a patient is taking.
When fields on electronic
charts need to be updated, it's a
snap. Ms. Cowart can even set
certain fields to pre-populate.
"That way, we don't have to input
every single medication the
patient is on," she says. "It's a lot
easier to ask patients, 'Are you
still taking Plavix? Are you still
taking ibuprofen?' If they're not,
you just delete the medications
from their records, which is a lot
faster than having to put it all in.
"On a paper chart, you're writ-
ing, and crossing things out, and
you have to initial the changes.
Working with an EMR is just a
much cleaner and faster process."
5. Keep it light
When your business is a well-
oiled machine, there's a risk that
employees end up feeling like
nameless cogs in it. So it's impor-
tant to remember the human fac-
tor. "When I know I'm going to push my team —
which is often — I will supply lunch or snacks and
they all love it," says Ms. Sawyer. "And don't forget
to say 'thank you' to celebrate jobs well done.
People want to feel appreciated and it goes a long
way, especially during these difficult times."
OSM
S
E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 0 • O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y . N E T • 5 7
Your Ophthalmic
Surgery Solution
TO LEARN MORE
Visit https://bit.ly/TMM5-PLUS
or call 352.854.2929
