← Becker’s Healthcare Podcast
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- [00:02]
A
@ Athenahealth, we know your ambulatory practice wants healthier a healthier business, healthier care teams and healthier patients. But the complexities of modern healthcare tech make it hard for you and your care teams to focus on what matters most. That's where athenahealth can help our AI native all in one solutions reduce administrative burdens, streamline billing and payments, and deliver critical insights when clinicians need it most. That means fewer clicks, more time for patients, and stronger bottom Practicing medicine is complex, but running a practice can be that much simpler. With Athenahealth, see how simpler is healthier at athenahealth.com this is Laura Dearda with.
- [00:45]
B
The Becker's Ambulatory Surgery Center's podcast. I'm thrilled today to be joined by Lori Noble, administrator at the endocenter at Voorhees. Lori, it's a pleasure to have you on the podcast today.
- [00:55]
C
Oh, it's so nice to be here. Thank you.
- [00:57]
B
Absolutely. Now, I'm excited for our conversation because I know we're going to talk about a variety of things and really spotlight some of interesting things you're doing at the Endo center at Voorhees. But before we dive in, can you tell us a little bit more about yourself and your background?
- [01:10]
C
Sure. So I've been in healthcare business operations and accounting for, you know, about 30 years. I've been in the ASC industry for, I would say just over 13 years. I started at a multi specialty surgery center running the business office. We did ophthalmology and orthopedics and pediatrics and I've been at the endocenter at Voorhees for 11 years. We are a gastroenterology center. And I just, you know, I enjoy working with my team, the staff, the physicians. They're very dedicated, very compassionate for our patients here. And, and I'm just really proud of the quality of care that we provide our patients. I think that's really most important in an asc, you know, safe, good, quality care. So we are a pretty busy center, but I really enjoy it. I love it.
- [02:16]
B
Oh, absolutely. And that's amazing. I mean, being at the same surgery center for 11 years is a huge accomplishment and definitely I can imagine you've seen a lot over that time.
- [02:26]
C
Oh, absolutely. You see everything.
- [02:31]
B
For sure. For sure. Well, you know, given your history of the center, plus I just know a lot of things are going on in the healthcare space today. What are some of the top three trends that you're following right now in healthcare surgery centers? Just in general, what are the things that you're paying most attention to.
- [02:49]
C
So for us, you know, for me, financial and operational efficiency is always something I keep my eye on. And growing patient and payer preference for lower cost options or accelerating the growth and expansion of the AST market. So that's, you know, something I like to keep my, my eye on, focusing on upfront collections. Especially here in New Jersey we had a bill passed about reporting medical debt. So that's something else that, you know, I keep a close eye on. Another thing is the transforming healthcare with responsible AI technology. Now they're advancing every day with AI, which AI puts a focus on measurable impact, proper use and using it. I think we're having better patient outcomes, so I think that's really important for us to follow. Another one is, you know, kind of going along with the AI. But technical, technological and clinical advancements is something we follow closely. Innovations and advancements in surgical technology and procedures, clinical practices, all these advancements are allowing more procedures to be safely and effectively performed in the ASC setting. So that's, you know, always a good thing for us. So those are three big things that I like to keep my finger on the pulse with.
- [04:27]
B
Absolutely. And you know, all very important things and fascinating to see how the industry has been evolving. I think in particular when you look at some of the financial and operational efficiencies and then to, you know, what you're hearing from payers and their preferences for some of these low cost options, etc, coming into the surgery center, how have you seen that? I guess the tone or tenor from payers changing over time. Is there anything that you've noticed from that perspective as you're navigating your relationship with the pears in your community?
- [05:01]
C
Well, you know, for us being gastroenterology, we've noticed over the years, you know, better screening, preventative screening benefits with insurances, you know, they switched from 50 to 45 for screening. So that's always a good thing. The more preventative benefits the consumer receives, you know, the better it is for us. So it's, there's definitely impact there.
- [05:31]
B
Got it. That makes sense. And I know you mentioned growth and expansion within the ASC market too. What are some of the impacts of that? What are the factors that have been driving more of the ASC growth? Whether, you know, in your center, which I know is extremely busy and then others, you know, nationally.
- [05:50]
C
Well, for, for me right now AI is at the top of my list. We've been using an AI assisted polyp detection system at our center probably well over three years. Now, the AI module assists physicians by detecting colorectal polyps during colonoscop, highlighting suspicious areas in real time to improve cancer prevention. So the AI system uses machine learning to enhance visualization and detect subtle lesions, leading to increased polyp detection rates and potentially improving patient outcomes by identifying precancerous polyps earlier. I mean, this is amazing how far we've come. We actually have patients calling the center to see if we use it. I mean, this is where we're at in the industry. I think patients are now expecting these types of advancements. It's no longer the exception, it's the rule. And I think it's great. I mean, what more can you ask for? You know, anything to improve, you know, a better patient outcome should be highly utilized.
- [07:02]
B
Absolutely. Agreed. And, you know, it's amazing to think about how the technology can really have that type of impact on the patients and improve the clinical care in a significant way. And then too, you know, for the clinicians, were they pretty accepting and exciting of the technology or what was it like to incorporate that into the endoscopy center?
- [07:24]
C
We went through a trial period where we trialed the system and you know, just like anything else new, it took a few months for, for them all to kind of get used to it. They were all willing, you know, to give it a try. It just, you know, it took some tweaking and. But yeah, I mean, once they got used to it and you know, we saw the numbers come in, everybody was on board. So it's, it's definitely something everybody should look into. If, you know, there's a system out there that pertains to what they're doing in their center.
- [08:05]
B
Absolutely. That's great to hear. And before we wrap up, I wanted to look into the future as well. How are you thinking about growth over the next 12 months or so?
- [08:15]
C
So there's always an opportunity of growth. We just need to collaboratively keep our pulse on what's happening in the ASC market. Our patient base is always growing. Our physicians have added the fast track model to their practices, which has helped to increase volume significantly. You know, if you meet a certain criteria, you can kind of jump over the physician appointment and come directly to the center. Younger patients are also a significant contributor to the growth in our colonoscopy volume. Back in 2020, the 18 to 45 year old compromised, you know, age group compromised 12% of our center's cases. Now that age group is well over 20%. And you know, lastly, it's important for physicians and the ASCs to educate consumers to know that going to an ASC, it's much more affordable for them. It's an affordable alternative than having certain procedures done in the hospital setting, which in turn is going to increase your AS volume. So that's, you know, I think those are really good things to keep your eye on and, you know, keep growing.
- [09:32]
B
Absolutely. Well, that's fascinating especially to think about the growth in the number of patients that you have in the 18 to 45 year old range, which is fascinating. Is there anything that you're doing differently in knowing, you know, with this population being on, on the growth or on the rise, anything you have to do differently?
- [09:54]
C
You know, we just, we, you have to market yourself differently and you have to kind of zone in on, on that age group. You know, it's, listen, nobody wants, you know, in our, our setting, nobody wants to go come and get a colonoscopy, you know, and it's always been where, you know, 50 or older. That's something you have to do when you're younger. You, you know, you, you kind of think, oh, you know, maybe, you know, I don't really need to do that. So I think we have to, you know, kind of zone in on that age group and educate them on the importance of, of getting screened or if you have any kind of symptoms. You know, unfortunately, you know, being in the GI setting, colorectal cancer is just hitting people younger and younger. So I think, you know, through marketing and social media, we try and put education out there for, you know, for that age group to show them the importance of, of getting your screenings or getting checked if you feel like something's not quite right.
- [11:08]
B
Absolutely. That is amazing reminder and certainly so important for everybody nowadays, for sure. Lori, thank you so much for joining us on the podcast. This has been such a fascinating conversation, especially looking into how the industry is changing and some of the cool things that are coming down the pipe for endoscopy centers. I appreciate your time today and look forward to connecting with you again soon.
- [11:31]
C
Oh, it was my pleasure, Laura. Thank you.
- [11:35]
A
At athenahealth, we know your ambulatory practice wants healthier, a healthier business, healthier care teams and healthier patients. But the complexities of modern healthcare tech make it hard for you and your care teams to focus on what matters most. That's where athenahealth can help our AI native all in one solutions. Reduce administrative burdens, streamline billing and payments, and deliver critical insights when clinical clinicians need it most. That means fewer clicks, more time for patients and stronger bottom lines. Practicing medicine is complex, but running a practice can be that much simpler with Athenahealth. See how simpler is healthier@athenahealth.com.