5. C-arm specialist. Because all of our cases are performed under fluo-
roscopy, having an experienced radiology technician who's well
trained in anatomy is also a crucial element in helping to shorten pro-
cedure times. This is especially important when you do a high volume
of cases, because every minute counts. Our RT has the C-arm set in
the correct position to begin each procedure and is able to anticipate
every move the physician makes, ultimately saving a minute or two
each case. When you perform as many as 30-plus cases per day, that
savings adds up quickly.
6. Efficient discharge. Our PACU is usually staffed with 2 nurses and,
like our pre-op, is equipped with 4 patient bays. Because our patients
receive only local or light-to-moderate sedation, we're able to dis-
charge patients safely and quickly.
7. EMR success. When we planned our ASC, we decided to invest in an
EMR. That decision has proven to be a wise one. The EMR has proven
to be a major factor in our success. The EMR provides immediate
access to previous patient visits, which is helpful in our specialty, as our
patients often have had multiple procedures and visits. It also lets our
anesthesia care provider view previous levels of sedation and how the
patient responded to each. Further, in the OR, vital signs are automati-
cally downloaded into the anesthesia record from the patient monitor.
That lets our anesthetist focus on other important tasks during the pro-
cedure. Also, medication lists are easily updated and carried over from
each patient encounter.
8. Strategic scheduling. Knowing when to schedule certain patients
also helps keep us on track during high-volume days. Performing our
SCS trials, discographies, and kyphoplasties at the beginning of the
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