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that kind of imaging lab and surgical setting blend," says Mr. Miller.
High-quality real-time imaging could ramp up the use of remote
robotic surgery, he says, pointing out that an OR with no people
in it except the patient could be a boon to infection prevention
efforts. It could also open the door to telesurgery. "Once you're
outside of the room, you could be anywhere," he says. "That, to
me, is the promise of OR integration."
3
It'll be profitable (if it's practical)
A growing patient population and efficient technology
aren't all that's necessary to survive in the volatile health-
care economy. Shrinking reimbursements from government and
commercial insurers underline the importance of capturing
charges, maintaining quality and eliminating waste.
"Cost containment is key," says Ms. Maleski. "It will have a
direct impact on the clinical environment. Surgeons' OR times
and OR turnover times will be monitored, with an emphasis on
improving both. There will be a push for supply standardization to
reduce product costs and increase staff and surgeon efficiency."
Don't underestimate the consumer appeal of surgery's more
marketable aspects, such as the long list of what patients can
have done and still be discharged home the same day. "ASCs are
continually adding more complex procedures," says Lynne Ingle,
RN, MHA, CNOR, a medical equipment planner for Gene Burton
& Associates. "This is related to the adoption of more advanced
technology in minimally invasive surgery — for example, the ante-
rior approach for total hip arthroplasty — and new means of man-
aging post-op pain. I see ASCs adding the ability to do more inten-
sive post-op care, like a 23-hour unit from the old days."
OSM
E-mail
db ernard@outpatientsurg ery.net
.
S U R G I C A L T E C H N O L O G Y
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