As COVID-19 continues to disrupt America’s healthcare system, AMSURG’s ASC partners have displayed remarkable flexibility and ambition in augmenting the capabilities of their centers to help stabilize their communities and keep patients safe. At Short Hills Surgery Center (SHSC) in Millburn, New Jersey, strategic efforts made by administrative, physician and AMSURG leadership helped to quickly serve the community’s need while maintaining the viability of the ASC.
The response to learning of the infectious nature of COVID-19 was one of immediate action. SHSC leadership immediately canceled scheduled patients at high risk of infection, limited the center’s operating days, and took steps to prepare for overflow relief from hospitals around the community.
To minimize the possibility of cross-infection exposure to a COVID-19-positive person and risk the closure of the ASC, staff was divided into teams assigned to work on different days. Communication was sent to all members of the medical staff to advise them of the new protocols and to provide them with a status update on the center’s operations.
SHSC’s medical director reached out to medical leadership at SHSC’s health system partner, RWJ Barnabas Health, offering the center as a “relief valve” for patients within the health system requiring urgent surgery that could not be managed by their hospitals. After being welcomed by the health system, SHSC administration quickly sprang into action to identify which additional surgical cases could be handled from the hospital and to procure the resources needed to expand their scope of service.
SHSC has also implemented rigorous safety protocols to further protect the safety of staff and patients from COVID-19 exposure.
This incredible response by SHSC exemplifies the agility and thoughtfulness required across the healthcare industry to appropriately address the COVID-19 pandemic and respond to community need. While there are no one-size-fits-all solutions for an unprecedented crisis such as this, AMSURG is committed to helping our ASC partners develop and implement solutions that work to protect their patients and clinicians while ensuring the viability of their center and its essential role in the community.
To learn more about the work AMSURG is doing in collaboration with our ASC partners, visit our COVID-19 landing page.