Anesthesia Service Assessment

Many hospitals and health systems understand that anesthesia providers play a vital role in efficiency but are unfamiliar with mechanisms to improve or measure performance. At EHC, we believe that maximizing alignment between providers and facilities is achieved by ensuring that important processes are standardized and optimized. EHC utilizes internal and external benchmarks to assess anesthesia provider utilization as well as efficiency metrics which are directly impacted by the consistency of clinical and operational protocols. As indicated, consultants may directly observe anesthesia processes, allowing identification of alignment opportunities. This approach is designed to facilitate a better partnership between the providers, the medical staff and facilities.

Groups, hospitals, and health systems are frequently challenged in developing meaningful, measurable, and targeted anesthesia performance metrics. While some national data is available, it is often difficult to interpret and apply in a truly comparative fashion to local anesthesia services. EHC has proprietary databases that look at efficiency, cost, and performance measures using standard methodologies. Along with our expert interpretation of applicable national survey information, EHC’s anesthesia assessments are designed to be informed and supported by data. This creates a valuable pillar of support for our financial and operational recommendations.

When anesthesia clinical quality becomes a concern, it represents an urgent issue for group and facility stakeholders as they expect providers to be aligned partners in maximizing patient safety. EHC has the clinical understanding and organizational experience to evaluate and address these issues. Our team will assess specific patient concerns based on detailed case reviews and if necessary, recommend quality databases for ongoing proactive tracking and benchmarking. Using both internal and external databases, we can document anesthesia efficiency and identify opportunities for improvement.

Understanding how key stakeholders perceive anesthesia services is vital for facilities and provider groups. However, finding a tool that measures satisfaction with a set of specific questions offering direct benchmarking to peer groups is difficult. EHC’s surveys provide this capability for our clients. Our proprietary surveys assess key clinical deliverables throughout the patient perioperative experience. Reports allow tracking of your provider’s performance over time and benchmarking against peers. EHC surveys are an ideal tool to monitor performance and proactively identify areas of potential improvement.

Anesthesia assessments conclude with a final report to leadership designed to describe the current performance and identify actionable options for improvement. Since each engagement is customized to meet client needs, every final report uniquely addresses client-specific findings. Final reports include utilization analysis with benchmarking, staffing options with financial crosswalks, contract structure and performance metrics recommendations, and satisfaction survey summaries. Based on the findings, our team will outline key opportunities for improvement.

Many groups and facilities require the implementation of prioritized recommendations from the initial assessment. These requirements are unique to each situation, and anesthesia subject matter expertise is necessary to maximize results. EHC’s services may include but are not limited to: staffing model redesign, RFP management and response, transition to facility employment, contract negotiation, revenue cycle review, development of performance metrics, and management of ongoing satisfaction surveys.