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ception that providers don't generate revenue for your facility. Take regional
blocks, for example. Depending on the payer, you can bill for the technical part
of the block and collect facility fees.
Eliminate downtime
Providers don't get paid unless they've got a needle in a patient or they're
in the OR delivering anesthesia. They want to run efficient cases, maximize their
time in your facility, bill for as many cases as possible and head home at a rea-
sonable hour. The best way to incentivize providers to move cases along at a
safe and efficient pace is to show them that you're actively trying to run an effi-
cient center and will do everything in your power to minimize their downtime.
Sharing specific examples will get them onboard with your efforts. If you move
up a cataract case from 3:30 p.m. to 1:30 to fill a gap in the schedule, let your
providers know so they're aware of your attempt to streamline the day.
The biggest piece of the efficiency puzzle is setting a realistic and accurate
surgical schedule. That job is made easier with software that lets you conduct
real-time case tracking. The software used at my last facility continually updat-
ed the average time it took for specific surgeons to perform specific procedures.
When a surgeon booked a routine knee scope, for example, we knew to the
minute how long it would likely take him to complete it. That powerful informa-
tion let us block out efficient surgical schedules based on accurate case times,
and kept our surgical team and anesthesia providers busy throughout the day.
Set expectations
Surgeons have to show up on time — we'll save the discussion of whether
that actually happens for another article — so demand the same from your
anesthesia providers. We're sometimes guilty of being a little too cavalier with
having the patient ready as soon as surgeons walk in the door.
Some anesthesia providers can improve their infection control practices,
2
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Plunger pushers have no spot on
my anesthesia team.