In the healthcare industry, hospital and ASC leaders face increasing pressure to balance quality patient care with operational efficiency. One significant decision centers around whether to continue outsourcing anesthesia services or transition to in-house employment models. For healthcare organizations considering the change, working with anesthesia consultants like Enhance Healthcare Consulting can guide the process, analyze the financial and operational impact and support a smooth, successful transition.
Evaluating Direct Employment
When assessing whether to move to an employed anesthesia model, it’s crucial to first identify your facility’s specific needs. This involves determining appropriate staffing levels, which can significantly impact both the quality of care and operational efficiency. The financial implications also warrant close attention. Anesthesia consultants will conduct detailed cost analyses, comparing the financial outcomes of employing anesthesiologists and CRNAs directly versus outsourcing services.
Revenue analysis is another key element in making this decision. Hospitals must understand how the costs associated with in-house staffing align with expected revenue outcomes. Moreover, transitioning to an employed model often requires building administrative infrastructure, including developing recruitment and retention strategies to ensure that top talent is consistently available.
It’s also important to engage current anesthesia providers in discussions about the transition. They can offer valuable insights, and their involvement helps to ensure that the shift is smooth for both the hospital and the staff.
Advantages of Anesthesia Employment
Managing anesthesia services directly can offer several advantages. One potential positive is financial savings related to overhead costs. By eliminating the intermediary role played by third-party providers, hospitals can reduce overhead costs, leading to improved anesthesia financials .
Additionally, an in-house model offers enhanced administrative control, which ensures better integration with the hospital’s overall goals and performance targets. This can improve alignment with the hospital’s quality goals and patient care standards. More consistent and customized anesthesia services can be delivered, contributing to better patient outcomes and a more streamlined care process.
The Enhance Healthcare Consulting Approach
Phase 1: Initial Phase
Enhance Healthcare Consulting’s approach starts with an in-depth evaluation of your current anesthesia services and requirements. We review staffing models, perform a financial analysis, and develop pro-forma models to project the financial impact of the transition. Our experts also advise on employment contracts for anesthesiologists and CRNAs, set up anesthesia revenue cycle solutions, and negotiate strategies for payer contracts. Importantly, we help align performance metrics with hospital goals to ensure that all parties involved are incentivized to achieve the best results.
Phase 2: Support Phase
Once the transition is made, we continue providing support with ongoing financial oversight, addressing any issues that arise post-transition. Our team helps oversee anesthesia leadership and governance, ensures quality standards are maintained, and identifies opportunities for perioperative improvements. As part of our commitment to your hospital’s strategic growth, we align anesthesia services with broader healthcare goals.
Contact our anesthesia consultants today to transition to employed anesthesia services!
By working with anesthesia consultants, hospitals can not only streamline operations but also enhance patient care, ensuring that their anesthesia services are cost-effective, efficient, and aligned with their institutional priorities.
Our goal is to help you have the smoothest, most cost-efficient transition possible, so contact us online today or call (954) 242-1296 to learn more about the process.
Dr. Robert Stiefel is a board-certified anesthesiologist and co-founder of a major anesthesia practice management company that operated across 27 facilities. With over 20 years of experience as a clinician and consultant, he is a national leader in understanding anesthesia expense drivers. He has led initiatives in group governance, subsidy negotiations, compensation models, and policy development. For more than 16 years, he has consulted professionally and co-founded Enhance Healthcare with Dr. Greenfield. Dr. Stiefel earned his MD from Tufts and completed his residency at the University of Massachusetts.