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Our situation was unique, but one of the potential benefits of taking over an
established facility is not dealing with as much red tape to break ground.
We moved into the space with the idea of someday turning it into a recovery
care center where our spine and total joint patients could spend a few days
recovering after their procedures in a hotel-like environment. We wanted to dif-
ferentiate ourselves from the competition, and even approached the state a few
years ago to gain recognition as a recovery care facility, but were unable to
secure approval without being designated as a specialty hospital. For now, we
have a partnership with a local hotel where patients can go after discharge if
more immediate follow-up care is needed. We don't yet have extended care
needs, because surgeons are very selective of whom they choose for complex
spine cases and total joints procedures, so most patients are discharged to
home within 23 hours.
Since reopening the renovated surgery center in January, we're currently per-
forming 5 spine procedures a week. That's not a lot, but we've positioned our
practice to gradually grow the case volume at a comfortable pace in a comfort-
able space.
OSM
Mr. Gagnon (rgagnon@yellowstonesurgerycenter.com)
is the executive director of Yellowstone Surgery Center in
Billings, Mont.
