Ambulatory Surgery Center Consulting Services

 

Overview

Sullivan Healthcare Consulting helps Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) leadership and surgeons with their most pressing surgery center challenges. Our Ambulatory Surgery Center consultants have worked at the forefront of the ambulatory surgery industry and know firsthand the strategic, financial, and operational challenges facing today’s ASCs.

Each project is customized to meet the needs of your ASC. Our Ambulatory Surgery Center consultants can provide some or all of the following perioperative program assistance. Additionally, the Sullivan Team offers implementation support for the services below.

The Emergence of High-Quality, Cost-Effective Surgical Alternatives Nationwide

Ambulatory Surgery Centers (both freestanding and hospital outpatient department based) have transformed the outpatient surgery experience by providing a convenient alternative to hospital-based procedures. ASCs are focused on ensuring quality care and convenience for the patient while providing a great surgical experience.​

Sullivan’s Ambulatory Surgery Center consultants have partnered with many hospitals and surgeons in developing and managing their ASCs. Our projects have ranged from single-room-physician-based to multi-specialty joint ventures. 

Feasibility Assessment

An assessment of the feasibility of your ASC

When thinking of building an Ambulatory Surgery Center, it is imperative to conduct a feasibility assessment to determine what type of facility and services should be provided. In order to do this, Sullivan conducts geographic market research and identifies area competitors to determine the likelihood for success.

Included in the ASC feasibility assessment: 

  • Evaluating potential locations

  • Estimating land costs

  • Evaluating rent if purchasing a building

  • Determining CON requirements

  • Selection of architects and construction companies

  • Determination of potential case mix and surgeon partners

 We also will develop a proforma identifying costs and projected revenue based on the case-mix of the procedures and location of the Ambulatory Surgery Center.

ASC Development

A detailed engagement that can help you build your ASC

Our Ambulatory Surgery Center consultants can start at the beginning of your project with potential site evaluations, selection of the architect and design firm and review all schematic floor plan designs.

Our experts provide: 

  • A comprehensive equipment list

  • Negotiate with vendors to achieve the best pricing

  • Meet with individual surgeons to determine their needs and requests

  • Work with instrument vendors to ensure all required supplies are ready for opening day

Additionally, our Ambulatory Surgery Center consultants can place a team on site for the first1- 4 months after the opening of the ASC to assist with any building, equipment and clinical flow issues that may arise.

Clinical/Operational Assessment

A broad assessment of the clinical and operational elements of your ASC

Our Ambulatory Surgery Center consultants can develop clinical work-flows based on the design of the facility, ensuring the most efficient use of space and time.

In addition, our team can develop or review: 

  • Board structure

  • Organizational charts

  • Hours of operations

  • Pre-anesthesia screening program

  • Day of surgery process

  • Scheduling process

  • Staffing model

  • Infection control program

  • Quality and risk programs

  • Discharge process

Sullivan Ambulatory Surgery Center consultants can also provide a comprehensive set of policies and procedures that are customized to include state-specific regulations.

Revenue Cycle Management

Expert assistance with the Revenue Cycle of your ASC

The goal of an Ambulatory Surgery Center is to prove quality care in a cost-efficient manner. In order to do so, your revenue cycle process is key. Sullivan Ambulatory Surgery Center consultants can provide skilled staff who will set up your complete business office.

 Our Ambulatory Surgery Center Consultants can assist with: 

  • Loading all files to bill patients

  • Performing insurance verification

  • Managing all billing and collections

  • Providing monthly financial reports

  • Negotiating all contracts with payers

  • Assisting with the selection and implementation of an IT system

Surgery Preparation

Assistance ensuring that your ASC is survey ready

Sullivan Ambulatory Surgery Center consultants have assisted many ACSs to successfully complete AAAHC, Medicare Deemed Status and The Joint Commission surveys without obtaining any deficiencies.

You can expect our experts to provide a two-day survey to review the facility and prepare the staff for their upcoming survey. The mock survey will identify any possible areas of concern that need to be corrected prior to the official survey day. A detailed report will then be provided at the end of the two-day mock survey. Our Team can provide assistance with implementing all the recommendations resulting from the mock survey.

Licensing & Certification

Assistance with licensing and certification of your ASC

Licensing and certification of an Ambulatory Surgery Center can be very confusing with multiple varying timelines and a significant amount of required documentation.  Sullivan Ambulatory Surgery Center consultants can prepare all required state and local licensure applications including facility license, Medicare application and pharmacy license.

We will be on-site during all surveys to support the staff through the process. Prior to all inspections, mock surveys will be conducted to ensure that both the facility and staff are fully prepared. Our Ambulatory Surgery Center consultants can oversee the credentialing process and guarantee compliance with all applicable regulatory agencies.

Our Clients Say It Best

“We brought Sullivan Healthcare consultants back on a second engagement to assist us to develop a strategic plan to accommodate surgical services volume growth and the shift in service to the ambulatory surgical sites. They analyzed our current state and helped us create a vision for our future state.”
– Lynn Masterson, Vice President, Quality, Resource Management and Surgical Services, Eisenhower Medical Center
Rancho Mirage, California
“Sullivan Healthcare has been wonderful to work with. They provide professional, reliable and competent leaders who integrate with the culture and values of the organization. Sullivan Healthcare is responsive and a pleasure to work with. They are true partners in filling temporary gaps in essential sterile processing leadership roles.”
– Kerry Caldwell, Executive Director, Perioperative Services at City of Hope
Duarte, California
“Sullivan Healthcare Consulting redesigned our complete perioperative program. With the collaborative business and clinical model, we made data-driven decisions that brought positive results in staffing, scheduling, and overall efficiencies. We were able to provide an additional room for add-on cases, enabling our surgeons to take care of those patients during normal operating hours, which increased volume and decreased overtime. Sullivan gave us the tools to facilitate the development of strategies to ensure long-term success.”
– Becky Reese, Financial Manager Surgical Services, High Point Regional Health System-UNC Health Care
High Point, North Carolina

Case Studies

Key Elements of a Comprehensive Surgical Screening Program

Building an efficient pre-anesthesia surgical screening program can eliminate unnecessary preoperative testing, while reducing the number of weekly case cancellations.

SPD Success Story

At one Sullivan Client Hospital, sterile processing was such an issue that the facility’s leadership felt they had to cut the number of surgical cases for a month just to work on improving it.

Improving Hospital Outpatient Departments and ASCs

Since outpatient surgical facilities have a lower risk of infection and provide quality care at a lower price, it’s no wonder they continue to grow in popularity.

Let’s Connect Today

6 + 4 =

Complete equation to submit