SurgiStrategies Articles

Information Technology Case Studies

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:53:02 PDT

President Obama stated that one central issue to the country’s future is healthcare. Within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, $19 billion has been invested in computerized medical records that will help to reduce costs and improve quality while insuring patients’ privacy. The transition to electronic health records ...(2240 words)

Don't Stop Marketing During a Problematic Economy

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:43:03 PDT

Everywhere we look, businesses of all types are cutting costs, with particular focus on trimming (or even eliminating) marketing and advertising budgets. Should you be cutting yours? Can you afford to do so? Slashing marketing expenditures may help you win the short-term battle for survival in a bad economy, but ...(725 words)

Centralized Data Warehouse for Healthcare Providers

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:35:54 PDT

Have you ever asked your information technology (IT) group for the answer to a question, only to receive an inadequate response (or no response at all)? It’s hard to fault the personnel. IT departments in the healthcare world are all too often over-tasked and understaffed. Typically, they are too busy ...(970 words)

Coding Arthroscopy Shoulder Procedures

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:51:55 PDT

CPT codes for arthroscopy shoulder procedures are few — 13 to be exact. Arthroscopy shoulder procedures generally are done for a pathology that affects the shoulder muscles, such as rotator cuff tear, superior glenoid labrum (SLAP) lesions, or other acute or chronic injuries. The coder must be aware of the ...(575 words)

Technology & Teamwork Drive a Sharps Safety Program

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:17:49 PDT

Occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens from needlesticks and other sharps injuries is a serious problem, but it is often preventable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year 385,000 needlesticks and other sharps-related injuries are sustained by hospital-based healthcare personnel. Sharps injuries are primarily associated with ...(856 words)

When Novel H1N1 Flu Knocks at Your Facility Door

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:11:34 PDT

The novel H1N1 influenza virus has united us globally, sending an urgency throughout the nation to be prepared for a resurgence. Although recent months have been seemingly under control, it is quite feasible that the world should prepare for a second wave of the virus now that it is autumn. ...(626 words)

A Tax on Innovation to Support Healthcare Reform?

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:52:09 PDT

So we may or may not have a final disposition on healthcare system reform by the time you read this, as President Obama pushes a revised agenda he says draws from proposals from both parties. At the time of this writing in September, Senate Finance Committee chair Max Baucus (D, ...(462 words)

Strictly Pediatrics

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:44:52 PDT

Pediatric services in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) require a nurturing approach. Recognizing that children are not “little adults,” being aware of the challenges that pediatricians face with outpatient surgery and focusing on a high patient and family comfort level is key to successful pediatric services. With Strictly Pediatrics, the name ...(1398 words)

Finding Value in a Troubled Economy

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:24:39 PDT

The healthcare industry is generally thought of as “recession proof,” as the need for healthcare services doesn’t wane with the health of the economy. Although this is generally true — people do not stop getting sick in a down economy — people can lose their jobs, defer medical spending in ...(1579 words)

ASC Reimbursement: How It's Changing

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:11:56 PDT

Reimbursement for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) is affected by several factors — some of which the ASC controls and some which are dominated by outside influences. This article initially identifies the ones over which the ASC has control, but primarily examines the outside influences in more depth and helps determine ...(1430 words)