S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 6 9
• Linen savings. Rather than
placing an extra draw sheet on
every gurney, we only do so on
an as-needed basis for patients
getting colonoscopies or who
may have problems turning over on their own. "Not only does this
save water — with the cleaning — but removing one extra sheet
on each bed also decreased our monthly invoice on our linen
service," says Karely Deal, RN, center director at Centinela Valley
Endoscopy Center in Inglewood, Calif.
• Save on antibiotics. Many surgical facilities use piggyback IV
antibiotics that come premixed, but it's just as safe, effective and
much less costly to use IV push antibiotics, says Laura Rowe,
MSN, BSN, RN, director of nursing at Lakeside Surgery Center in
Omaha, Neb. "Ordering vials of powdered antibiotics that we mix
the morning of surgery and refrigerate for less than 24 hours will
save us close to $18,000 a year," says Ms. Rowe.
• Upfront collections. At Cityview Surgery Center in Fort Worth,
Texas, a dedicated staffer who is proficient in insurance benefits
verifies the patient's benefits 7-10 days prior to the scheduled
surgery. They call the patient at least one week in advance to let
them know their estimated financial responsibility and advise her
that it must be paid before the day of surgery. "This eliminates
questions, delays and disgruntled patients due to money on the
day of surgery. It makes for a much less stressful experience for
everyone," says Jane Bell, RN, BSN, Cityview's nurse manager.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Mastering the Business of Surgery