papers, in pamphlets placed in surgeons' offices and on a billboard.
The stamp of approval makes a difference, says Ms. Carlile. "A lot of
patients are apprehensive at first. We're going to go home the first
day? My friends are telling me you have to stay there 3 days. But
when they see our program and the certification, it puts them at ease.
People do seem to be impressed with the distinction."
And business is crisp in Ohio Surgical's 2 ORs. Among the cus-
tomers are a significant number of out-of-towners who've driven 2
hours or more to get to North Canton. "January and February are usu-
ally our slow time because people didn't meet their deductibles," says
Ms. Carlile. "But this year we're keeping up, doing 20 or 30 every
month." "And," adds Ms. Kramer, "I'm sure when we get to October,
November and December, we'll be doing 50 to 60 cases every month."
Business is good at Presidio, too, but Ms. Scott suspects there will
be bigger rewards down the road.
"The big bang is going to come from the big payers when outpatient
joints become more routine," she says. "They're going to have to build
networks and figure out which are the right places to go. I'm expect-
A P R I L 2 0 1 7 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 7 9
• WE'RE NO. 1! A highway billboard
makes sure the North Canton, Ohio,
community gets the message.
