OSE_1211_part2_Layout 1 11/8/12 10:44 AM Page 111
S P I N E
S U R G E R Y
How We Started a
Spine Program
Slow and steady wins the race when adding
surgery's hottest — and most lucrative — specialty.
Carol Cappella, RN, MSN, CNOR | Delray Beach, Fla.
W
hen I started at Delray Beach (Fla.) Surgery Center 31⁄2
years ago, the caseload was 60% ophthalmology. But revenues were flagging and profits were down, so we looked
to diversify and expand. As it turned out, no one was doing spine in the
ASC setting in our community. We set about researching and recruiting.
Over the last 18 months, we've brought on 4 spine surgeons, bought all
the supplies and capital equipment, and recruited and hired staff who
specialize in spine. Here's how we started the program from scratch.
N O V E M B E R 2012 | O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
1 1 1
