Who’s Who in the Ambulatory Surgery Industry — The Facilities

As part of Who’s Who in the Ambulatory Surgery Industry, today’s surgicenter also honors the excellent facilities that make up the backbone of the industry. These five centers, stretching from North Dakota to South Carolina, cover the gamut of outpatient specialties from laparoscopy to orthopedic surgery, consistently bringing the latest technological advances and convenience to their respective operating rooms and patients.

Surgical and Endoscopic Center of Stephenville

The Surgical and Endoscopic Center of Stephenville (SECS) opened in October 2006. The center is the first facility of its kind in Erath County, Texas, offering a wide variety of day-surgery procedures including colonoscopy and other digestive evaluations, cataract and laser eye surgery, laparoscopy, podiatry, orthopedic, pain management, as well as ENT procedures.

Unlike outpatient surgery at hospitals, the Surgical and Endoscopic Center runs on a strict schedule where every effort is made to adhere to the time the patient is scheduled. Patients are not postponed due to an unexpected higher priority case being scheduled in their place.

The modern design and image of comfort is what patients have come to appreciate. The 12,000-square-foot outpatient surgery center boasts state-of-the-art medical equipment and cutting-edge technology which includes two surgical suites, a GI procedure room, as well as a YAG laser room.

The center currently has 14 credentialed physicians on staff, but will soon be adding more as the number of services increases. The building was designed with future expansion in mind, complete with a tear-out wall. As new physicians and procedures are added, more operating and recovery rooms could become a reality. But before that can take place, new services that are currently unavailable to patients in the area will need to be added.

The facility’s medical director, Janie McMillion, MD, said when planning the facility, a lot of detail was put into the center’s appearance. Creating a place for patients to enjoy was important to her. “I believe it’s important for patients to get the feeling that they will be well taken care of during their stay,” she said. “Creating a beautiful place helps us give them that comfort.” McMillion also said that visits to the surgery center are designed to be brief. Surgery patients stay an average of four hours.

Another advantage for patients at the center is their out of pocket expense. Surgeries performed at outpatient surgical centers cost patients one-half to one-third less than in the hospital outpatient setting. All of the worry for the patient’s cost factor is erased due to the global fee billing. Once a patient is scheduled, they know the exact cost of the procedure with no surprises when they receive their statement.

Two years ago, the dream of an outpatient surgery center became a reality, and SECS continues to think of new ways to better serve their patients. Patient satisfaction surveys have been very positive. Sheila Poston, RN, director of nursing, states, “We are continually striving to provide the best care in the most efficient manner. We have a very caring and compassionate staff that always places the patient first.”

Bismarck Surgical Associates

Bismarck Surgical Associates LLC, of Bismarck, N.D., is a multispecialty (orthopedic, ophthalmic, ENT, pain management and oral surgeries), free-standing, physician-owned ASC with three ORs. The center will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in February.

“(We) take pride in the services we offer our community as evidenced by our high approval ratings,” declares Todd Neiss, business manager of Bismarck Surgical Associates. We run an efficient operation averaging 9.62 regular hours per case. This, along with an effective cost control program results in a net income to net production ratio of 42 percent. Our staff is second to none and we work hard to retain our staff, as evidenced by our low turnover rate. In 1999, we had 16 FTEs and of those, we still have 10 original staff members and we have grown to 32 FTEs.”

Parkridge Surgery Center

Parkridge Surgery Center is a 12,000-square-foot, freestanding, multi-specialty ambulatory surgery center in Columbia, S.C., that opened in November 2003 as a joint venture with Palmetto Health, the state’s largest nonprofit healthcare system, and individual physicians.

Parkridge Surgery has consistently ranked in the top 10 percent in the nation in both patient and employee satisfaction and most recently, Palmetto Health was named among the 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare. “Our staff, without a doubt, is what sets us apart from everyone else. We are completely committed to providing high quality, patient-centered care and are continually looking for ways to improve,” says administrator Emilie Keene.

Clinical director Lisa Waters-Davis agrees. “We have such a strong quality improvement program with active employee participation. We don’t focus on problems, we focus on solutions.”

Timberlake Surgery Center

Situated in the beautiful West County area of St. Louis, Timberlake Surgery Center began operations in the summer of 2003 and relocated to the present location in 2006.

Timberlake is a multi-specialty center that includes orthopedics, pain, podiatry and plastic surgery. Occupying 14,988-square-feet of space, the center has a total of four ORs and one procedure room. Presently, there are eight active physician partners that represent 68 percent of the total annual case volume and 93 percent of the surgical case volume.

In 2004, the facility joined with Symbion Healthcare as a corporate partner, who exhibits a collaborative relationship with energetic and visionary leadership; together delivering exceptional value.

A measure of success is shown by the satisfaction of patients, physicians and employees. Through its entire group of employees, anesthesia and dedicated physicians living up to its core vales, Timberlake is a supportive workplace for staff that focuses on quality, services and cost.

“Being part of an effective group of healthcare providers makes taking care of patients an honor instead of a job,” states Kim Thornton, clinical director at Timberlake.

“Our caring and compassionate staff, anesthesia and surgeons make the difference,” states Beverly Baker, administrator at Timberlake.

Patient satisfaction is a top priority for the center and is monitored monthly. One service that has proven to be beneficial to patients is partnering with a local pharmacy to allow patients to leave with their prescriptions filled, saving the extra stop at the drug store. Patients continually rave about this added service.

In August, Timberlake recently joined the efforts of ASC Association’s National Open House Day to welcome local and state representatives. More than 50 people attended the Aug. 13 event, including a gubernatorial candidate and several local state legislators. In addition to touring the facility and meeting with the physicians, attendees received informational packets on the benefits of ASCs, as well as an overview of pending federal legislation. This event allowed us to become more than just a name to them. “If we don’t step up to provide leaders with this information, no one will.” said Baker.

Yellowstone Surgery Center

Specializing in procedures ranging from pediatric to geriatric, Yellowstone Surgery Center in Billings, Mont., has been offering state-of-the-art ambulatory surgical and pain management care since 2002. Owned and operated jointly between 50 independent physicians and the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health Systems, over 7,500 patients are seen annually in the facility’s six ORs and its pain management center.

Yellowstone has a patient satisfaction rate of 99 percent, which reflects its commitment to caring, to quality and most of all, to an excellent patient experience.

In a time when medical professionals are highly recruited, Yellowstone has little staff turnover. In fact, 90 percent of the original staff has remained at YSC since it opened. That longevity means that patients have a positive experience and a familiar face every time they visit.

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