More and more doctors’ offices are offering surgical care and more ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are cropping up across the nation. These alternatives to hospitals can be both cost effective and provide a higher level of patient care. The choice to hire an ambulatory anesthesia provider can be enormously beneficial. It is important, however, to be sure that your provider is offering the best care possible.
High-quality Personnel
Whatever type of office or ASC you run, you expect a high level of performance from all of your contributing members. When you use an ambulatory anesthesia provider you should expect no less. The anesthesiologists should be highly qualified, and whenever possible, expect them to be active at prestigious local hospitals. The care provided by these anesthesiologists should be consistently as high in quality as would be given in a hospital.
High-quality Care
Many patients feel anxious or uncomfortable in the hospital setting. Doctors’ offices or ASCs can help soothe nervous patients because the setting is more familiar and friendly. Yet, high-quality care is still the expectation. Your provider should be no exception. The care and safety your office or ASC provides must be as strong as that of a hospital.
Equipment and Pharmaceutical Care
An excellent ambulatory anesthesia provider should take responsibility for all equipment and pharmaceuticals required in your operating room. Evaluating and restocking the pharmaceuticals required should be part of your agreement. Also, the provider should be making regular assessments of all technical equipment to guarantee that it meets regulations and is in proper working order. These evaluations, both pharmaceutical and technical, should be happening onsite.
Meets All Regulations
It is no longer unusual for anesthesiologists to work across state lines. This means that they must be well versed in state regulations that may differ in each place where they work. For example, some states require anesthesiologists to report adverse events rather than the surgeon. Some states have a minimum age for office-based care. Your office is aware of these rules. Despite working across state lines, your ambulatory anesthesia providers should know these as well and offer training to its staff.
Team Players
Despite working in multiple settings, the anesthesiologist who is provided should be a contributing member of your team. He should be invested in the success of your office or ASC. Good communication between both offices is very important both in and out of the operating room. Regardless of other assignments, you should feel that you have your anesthesiologist’s full attention and participation when at your site.
