Vital Stats
Administrator: Francine Daley, RN, CNOR
Types of procedures performed: ENT, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, general surgery, gynecology, pain management, pediatric surgery, pediatric dental surgery, plastic and cosmetic surgery, podiatry, lithotripsy and urology.
Number and type of staff: 11 nurses, 7 office staff and 5 technicians.
Number of operating rooms: 4.
Number of procedure rooms: 2.
Number of operating surgeons: 75 physicians on staff with 25 physicians performing the majority of cases.
Monthly case volume: 600 cases/month.
Years in operation: 5.
Ownership structure: AtlantiCare owns 51% and a physician's group of investors owns 49%.

Sharing the Wealth:
AtlantiCare Surgery Center two years ago made every staff member eligible to receive quarterly bonus checks based on the facility's profitability, efficiency, growth and patient satisfaction survey results. Employees can earn up to 9% of their salary per year in bonuses. "It's been a great retention and recruitment tool," says Ms. Daley. "It's also a wonderful morale booster."

Orthotripsy is Hot:
AtlantiCare's 15 orthotripsy-certified podiatrists and orthopods began treating patients with plantar fasciitis in September. "It's nice to look at what new procedures will attract more patients and more physicians to your facility," says Ms. Daley. One drawback: As a condition of reimbursement, physicians must document that 6 months of conservative treatment didn't improve the patient's heel pain before insurers will pay an orthotripsy claim.

LASIK is Not:
AtlantiCare partnered with a group of ophthalmologists to handle laser vision correction cases one or two days per month. But after only 18 months, it cratered under the ophthalmology group's financial difficulties and the soft economy.

To Your Satisfaction:
At the onset, AtlantiCare identified three essential components for its success: patient satisfaction, physician satisfaction and employee satisfaction. "We survey each of these groups and use the information as a tool to improve," says Ms. Daley.

For Comparison's Sake:
AtlantiCare, which benchmarks turnover time by room and by specialty, matches the national trend that greater volume translates into better efficiency, says Ms. Daley.

In Closing:
"The ambulatory surgery center industry is rapidly changing, creating an environment where you take nothing for granted. Insurance companies are making it very attractive for physicians to move cases to their offices," says Ms. Daley.

- Dan O'Connor