1 1 6
O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | M A R C H 2 0 1 4
Nusbaum. Don't overlook your own staffing needs. "Have enough
PACU help," she says. "You'll need an RN transporter to take the
patient from OR to PACU, because you'll only need one CRNA to go
from OR to OR."
Partnering with an outsourcing company lets you and your eye sur-
geons trial different technology with no risk. In the past, the outsourc-
ing business was driven by changes in technology and providing that
updated unit or product from the same manufacturer. Now the focus
has shifted to letting surgeons and facilities trial another phaco unit or
another product, "the next big thing," at a cost-effective price point.
This shift has transformed outsourcing from a "roll on-roll off" indus-
try to more of a true partner and a service provider.
Why outsource cataracts? Maybe you're having a hard time getting
the equipment clean and operating. Maybe you can't afford the equip-
ment and instruments. Maybe a surgeon doesn't like your phaco
machine and supplies. Or maybe your caseload is hard to predict.
Mount Grant General Hospital in Hawthorne, Nev., is 140 miles from
the nearest city, Reno, that offers cataract surgery. Knowing that it
was a hardship for Hawthorne's older population to travel so far and
spend the night for cataract surgery, about 15 years ago Mount Grant
partnered with a mobile cataract service. An ophthalmologist sees
patients every other month, says Janet Kollodge, RN, the director of
nursing. "The doctor at first was reluctant, only because he didn't
think we had enough demand to make it worth our while. We were all
wrong and the community is very appreciative," she says. Her advice:
Make sure that the company is able to give the doctor the equipment
he needs and that it provides enough eye trays so that you keep
immediate use sterilization to a minimum. OSM
E-mail
doconnor@outpatientsurg ery.net
.
O P H T H A L M O L O G Y
OSE_1403_part2_Layout 1 3/5/14 10:54 AM Page 116
