Ways for Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC) to Boost Patient Volume

Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) are starting to reopen their doors to safely serve their communities in the wake of the coronavirus. ASCs experienced record low patient volumes at the start of the pandemic. Some centers went from 100% patient volumes down to as low as 10%. Elective surgeries were postponed helping promote safe public environments and slow the spread of COVID-19. As Ambulatory Surgery Centers have adjusted their protocols to safely reopen their doors, providers are looking for ways to increase patient volumes once again. Below are several ways that Ambulatory Surgery Centers can increase patient volumes.

How Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC) Can increase Patient Volume:

Grow Clinical Practice

Providers should consider increasing patient volumes through clinical practices as well as surgery. Providers who are looking to increase their ASC patient volume should consider partnering with specialists to offer common clinical procedures that would increase patient volumes for a widespread group of patients. This might include partnering with orthopedic surgeons to complete specialized surgeries within the Ambulatory Surgery Center. If it is a common problem, patients will start coming in for the help they need.

Utilize Community Initiatives

There are hundreds of community initiatives across the country that are dedicated to serving underserved communities. Partnering with their organizations can help connect your ambulatory surgery center to patients who might not normally come to you for care. While this would be a lower return on investment, it is a great place to start if you are working with nothing.

Engage with PCPs

Most patients engage in medical care through their Primary Care Physician. A great place to start when trying to grow patient volumes at your ASC is to build connections with a wide variety of PCPs. Primary care physicians can bring in referrals to your Ambulatory surgery center any time they work with a patient who might need what you offer. The more you network with physicians in your network, the more patients you will see.

Improve Your Reputation

While patient volumes are low, it can be a great opportunity to build your brand and reputation. Offer high-quality care to the patients that are coming to you for care and the good word will spread. They will tell people about their experience with you, submit reviews for your ASC, and tell other people to make their way to you for help.

Accept All Cases

No case is too small when you are managing low patient volumes. While your Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) might have been more selective before COVID-19, it needs every opportunity for growth it can at the moment. Accept any case that your ASC can and you will see an increase in patient volumes.

Queue Management Solution

Queue management solutions are essential to creating a safe public environment during COVID-19. They can help your team track, manage, and process check-ins safely. Patients can complete their check-in process before entering your appointment, wait in their car for you to bring them in, and track themselves in line. A quality queue management solution can improve the patient experience and increase patient volumes.

Quality Referral Technology

With an increase in referrals from PCPs, your Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) needs a quality referral management solution. This tool will help you track and manage all incoming and outgoing referrals from the first point of contact through discharge.

To learn more about tools that can help your Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) increase patient volumes, click here.