Graduate Assistant Study: Looming Physician Shortage

Hello Blog Readers! Sorry for the delay in this posting. Ortmann Healthcare Consultants has had a very busy week with two facilities completing construction and preparing for State Licensure and Medicare Certification. I did, however, want to get a small post out there to give you something to think about over the weekend!

Ortmann Healthcare Consultants is pleased to announce, and wishes to congratulate, Bryant Nelson on his recent graduation from the University of South Carolina. Bryant graduated with a Master in Health Administration (MHA) from the Arnold School of Public Health. Part of his requirement as a graduate assistant and student in the MHA program, is the completion of a graduate thesis or residency project. For his project, Bryant explored the topic of the looming physician shortage in South Carolina. This topic is extremely important and relavant for healthcare professionals across the country, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Bryant has agreed to allow us to share his report with our readers. If you are interested in learning more about the physician shortage, please leave a comment on this post or contact Ortmann Healthcare Consultants at 803-252-7979.

Patient Disclosure for Same Day Surgery

Medicare announced today that it would allow for an exception for same day surgery when it comes to meeting the new standard of the patient signing informed consent and financial disclosure the day before the surgery. The ASC Association announced this news through an email press release. Below is an excerpt of that email.

“It is not acceptable for the ASC to provide the required notice for the first time to a patient on the day that the surgical procedure is scheduled to occur, unless:

• the referral to the ASC for surgery is made on that same date; and
• the referring physician indicates, in writing, that it is medically necessary for the patient to have the surgery on the same day, and
• that surgery in an ASC setting is suitable for that patient.

In such situations the ASC must provide the required notice prior to obtaining the patient’s informed consent. Cases of surgery occurring on the same day it is scheduled are expected to be rare, since ASCs typically perform elective procedures. Frequent occurrence of such cases may represent noncompliance with the advance notice requirement.”

More information is available on the ASC Association Website.

Sarah McKeever, VP Clinical Affairs, speaks at SGNA

Ortmann Healthcare Consultants is pleased to announce that Sarah McKeever, Vice President of Clinical Affairs, is speaking at the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc (SGNA) Annual Meeting. The title of her presentation is “Are you an Endoscopy Center Director or Accountant? Lets Figure the Numbers”. She will be speaking with Monica Clayton, Center Director of The Endoscopy Center of Colorado Springs. We hope that if you are attending SGNA this year, you stop by their presentation and say hello.

Red Flag Alert Requirements Apply to ASCs

The Federal Trade Commission has issued “Red Flag” Requirements for Financial Institutions and Creditors in an attempt to fight identity theft. And while there was some question as to whether these requirements would apply to Ambulatory Surgery Centers, it has been determined that ASCs qualify as “Creditors,” and so the regulations are applicable to ASCs. This means that ASCs have until August 1, 2009, to comply with the FTC’s Red Flag Requirements (the more recent compliance date was in May).

Ambulatory Surgery Centers (as well as Physician Offices) are defined as creditors because each is considered to extend credit to patients on a regular basis, renew credit or to arrange credit for others. The definition includes all entities that defer payment for services. While many ASCs and Physician Offices may have policies of collecting payment before services, I believe most give at least some patients a grace period from time to time and so would meet the definition of creditor.

To comply with the Red Flag Rules, ASCs must develop a written program that identifies and detects the relevant warning signs – or “red flags” – of identity theft. According to the FTC, these may include:

• unusual account activity
• fraud alerts on a consumer report, or attempted use of suspicious account application documents
• suspicious documents

The program must also:

• describe appropriate responses that would prevent and mitigate the crime and detail a plan to update the program
• be managed by the Board of Directors or senior employees of the financial institution or creditor
• include appropriate staff training
• provide for oversight of any service providers

Wow! What does all of that mean for you? Well, primarily that you have to get a written program in place by August 1. One way to setup your program is to go to the FTC website where you can find a pdf document that will walk you through setting up a program.

Another idea is to go to the ASC Association’s web site, where they have a sample Red Flags Policy for your use. (While you’re on the ASC Association’s web site, you might consider joining as they have many helpful resources for ASCs.) If you have any other questions about the Red Flag Program and how to implement one in your surgery center, contact Ortmann Healthcare Consultants at 803-252-7979!

Submitted by Chris McMenemy, VP Administration

Benchmarking in your Surgery Center

Ortmann Healthcare Consultants is pleased to announce the initiation of their Benchmarking Program. We are currently looking for centers interested in benchmarking with other centers around the country. At this time, the program is only open to gastroentestianl endoscopy centers, as there is an immediate need for specific benchmarking data relevant to GI procedures.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Jessica Miller at 803-252-7979 to receive the survey form.

As a side note, OHC will be taking a short hiatus from posting for the rest of this week due to traveling. We will be back to posting on Monday! Have a great week!

Nevada ASCs-Mandatory Accreditation May Be in Your Future

Outpatient Surgery Magazine released an interesting article today regarding the status of Ambulatory Surgery Centers in Nevada as a result of the investigations into infection control deficiencies in many of the states ASCs. This is a must read for anyone involved with surgery centers in Nevada.

According to the article, two new pieces of legislation are being introduced in Nevada that will change the licensure and accreditation requirements for surgery centers. You can read the entire article here. Check back on our blog for more updates as these bills work their way through the Nevada Legislature.

Lessons from a Road Warrior

Part of the job of a consultant who develops ambulatory surgery centers is traveling, and many of us spend three to four days per week traveling to meet with clients. Many of our clients share the experience when they travel for professional seminars and meetings. This means frequent trips aboard airlines, and many nights in hotels. During this process, we learn some lessons, and the purpose of this article is to share as many lessons with you as possible so that your travel will be easier. We hope that in turn, you will share your experiences with us so that we might publish them here for your fellow travelers.

• The Flight Attendant Announces Prior to Take-off A Minor Mechanical Problem, Which Will Delay Take-off.
  Assume there are no minor mechanical problems and your flight will be cancelled. Use your cell phone and call the airline and get a back-up flight. Otherwise, stand in line with your fellow passengers and hope to get a seat on another flight. This could save you hours if not days for the delay.
• If You Really Must Get There!
  If the business appointment is critical, get to your destination the day before. If not possible, ask the reservations person to give you the on-time rate of the flights you hope to be on. If the on time rate is less than eighty percent, try to get connecting flights to your destination that have better on-time rates.
• If the Meeting Is A KEY BUSINESS MEETING:
  Assume the airline will lose your luggage. Take everything you will wear to your meeting in a carry-on hang-up bag. Also, take a copy of all hand-out material with you on board as well as a copy of your Power-Point presentation. Make sure you have your own travel alarm or PDA with alarm, as hotel wake-up calls are missed on occasion.
• If You Are A Comedian, Don’t Play Games With Homeland Security at the Airport.
  This is not the place for humor or for casual inappropriate comments. You could be detained and miss your flight.
• Frequent Flyer Accounts and Clubs
  Even if you are an occasional flyer/traveler, it is a very good idea to join the frequent flier clubs for the airlines serving your area as well as several car rental clubs. Members of these clubs do receive preferential service on occasion, and if you happen to arrive in a place like Orlando, Florida during Speed Week in Daytona, memberships in a car rental club such as Avis, Hertz, National, or Enterprise could save waiting for hours in a car rental line.
• Fire Safety
  When you check into a hotel room, always leave your key to the room on the bedside cabinet. Then if a fire alarm sounds and you run into the hall, you know to first pick-up your key so that you will be able to re-enter your room if the corridor is blocked by heavy smoke.

There Ought to be a Law

• Those electronic eye hand washers seldom work and this is quite an infection control or communicable disease risk. Legislators should mandate that the name of the manufacturer of the remote control device be posted, with a 24-hour a day telephone number that can be called and answered if there is a malfunction. Otherwise, require the airport to install back-up manual hand washers.
• Lets Balance the Playing Field
  If the airlines can charge exorbitant rates for flights booked less than forty-eight hours before departure, then legislate a requirement that the passenger get a fifty percent refund if the flight does not arrive within an hour of the scheduled time. Adverse weather conditions would be excluded. Why shouldn’t the airline be at risk financially for their failure to perform?
• Adverse Weather Contingency
  On occasion adverse weather conditions close airports and passengers are delayed, sometimes for days. When this happens, airports should have contingency plans that require one or more food service locations to remain open in lieu of closing at their scheduled time as they now do.

These Companies Really Get It!
(Please note that I have no financial interest in any company referenced here, and will not seek or accept any financial or other reward for mentioning a company. For more information please view our Integrity Statement)

• Andiamo Luggage Tel: 1-714-258-8698 www.andiamoluggage.com
  This little known California company makes the most durable travel luggage I’ve used in almost twenty years of travel. Introduced to it by a sales lady in Detroit, the luggage is made with ballistic nylon, is almost impossible to punch or rip, and can be repaired by simply placing a UPS or Fed Ex tag on the bag and sending it back to the manufacturer. They are a bit expensive, but darn well worth the price.
• Marriott Courtyard Hotels
  This company understands the business traveler, anticipates their needs, and provides for there needs. Plus, they must have an awesome training program for their staff, as they perform routinely like they care five-star hotels.
• Specialty Luggage Tags – “My Tag-TudeTag” Tel: 888-261-8211 or 760-568-6400
  www.tagsforbags.com
  These tags appear to be made of ballistic nylon. Each tag is custom made to the customers color request and monogram. They are close to indestructible, very difficult to separate from your luggage, and make spotting your luggage much easier.
• Eagle Creek Toiletry Kit Tel: 760-599-6500 – www.eaglecreek.com
  As close to perfect as it gets. Ample elastic pockets, some with zippers, folds neatly, and has hanger hook to hold and display contents. They are made with stain and water repellant lining and almost indestructible. Made by Eagle Creek Inc. of Vista, California.
• Clothing Steamer
  It is great for wrinkles in suits and other garments. They are small and compact. Tow options are the Samsonite Dual Voltage Garment Steamer or EasyGo Dual Voltage Steamer– Both from Amazon.com at about $30.

Submitted by Fred Ortmann, President, CEO