Minnesota-Based Surgeon Transforms Practice with Two Office-Based Surgical Suites Mark Lobanoff,...
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Surgeon’s Office-Based Surgical Suite Accommodates Glaucoma Clinical Trials
Oklahoma-based surgeon, Steven R. Sarkisian Jr., MD, opened his office-based surgical suite in April 2023. Dr. Sarkisian is a leader in the cutting-edge surgical treatment of glaucoma, and clinical trials are a crucial part of his practice, particularly those involving Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS). With his own surgical suite came control of his clinical trials. He’s performed over 350 surgeries in the new surgical suite and is more than pleased with the successful outcomes. Dr. Sarkisian shares his positive transition to office-based surgery in this post, inspiring others for potential success in this field.
Five Reasons I Transitioned to Office-Based Surgery
Surgeon Control: Office-based surgery gives me flexibility and autonomy. When your surgical suite is right down the hall, you own the entire surgical experience from scheduling, patient selection, and even to the color of the floor and the walls. I make my own decisions, organize the surgical suite to my liking, choose my equipment, and work with my own staff. In my entire career, I have never had a more peaceful and joyful operating experience. It is my all- time favorite place to operate.
Scheduling Control: Thanks to OBS, I can perform surgery five, even six days a week. My in-office surgical suite is there 24/7, 365 days a year. I can even see clinic patients between surgeries. But the real benefit is the convenience and flexibility it offers to my patients. They’re scheduled quickly and hassle-free, and we work with their schedules.
Opportunity to Conduct Clinical Trials: My goal is to improve glaucoma surgery, and clinical trials are crucial to that change. OBS has given me control of my OR, which allows me to control my trials; particularly those involving MIGS.
Practice Growth: The demand for cataract surgery has grown as the number of ophthalmologists and anesthesiologists has decreased. My patients need surgery, and OBS can accommodate them. I can increase patient volume without restrictions, and I can conduct more clinical trials. My surgical suite has enhanced the growth of my practice.
Technology and Equipment: With OBS, I have the ability to adopt the newest technology. In other surgical environments, that can sometimes be challenging. When a new device or technology becomes available, approval by committee is necessary. The ordering process can take months. With OBS I choose my equipment and have access to the newest technology.
My Patients Prefer Office-Based Surgery
Patients’ surgical procedures are performed by a team they already know and trust. There’s no need to fast, undress, or use of an IV in my surgical setting. Patients undergo surgery in the same location where they receive their eyecare. They show up at the office like it’s a regular appointment rather than surgery.
When patients are less apprehensive, they experience better outcomes. Minimal oral sedation reduces patient anxiety, making surgery quicker with a faster recovery time. In my center, one of the cost savings is that we do not require an anesthesiologist.
My Team Chooses Office-Based Surgery
OBS empowers me and my staff. They can make suggestions, explore more creative options, and increase efficiencies in the surgical suite. My staff gets to be a part of the entire surgical experience: with a technician being a surgical scrub and OR circulator, a clinical trials technician assisting with room turnover and instrument sterilization. I am getting a more efficient use of my staff and they love being part of all aspects of the patient experience. My team looks forward to the days we perform surgery in the iOR suite. It adds variety to their day while expanding their knowledge.
Why I Chose iOR Partners
iOR was critical in my move to OBS. They understand what it takes to plan and build an accredited, office-based surgical suite. As an early adopter of new technology, the iOR vision for office-based surgery really inspired me, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. At the time, iOR had developed just over 50/60 iOR Suites. Currently, I am not surprised to see that they have over doubled that number since I started. They accelerated the entire process into a 90-day window and that included everything from planning and development to launch. They trained my team, assisted us with ordering equipment and supplies, and provided billing support. I would never have attempted this without them.
I’ve been operating in my office-based surgical suite for a year and a half; and it’s changed everything for me. This has given me complete control of the surgical experience. It’s expanded my practice while increasing revenue. In my experience, it’s as safe as an ASC, and the patients love it even more. If you’re considering making the move to OBS, there’s never been a better time. You won’t regret it.
Oklahoma Eye Surgeons, PLLC
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Follow us on IG @okeyesurgeons
Steven R. Sarkisian, Jr., MD
Dr. Sarkisian received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College. He completed his ophthalmology residency at the State University of New York Health Science Center in New York, and a fellowship in glaucoma at the Hamilton Eye Institute at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. Dr. Sarkisian joined the faculty at the University of Oklahoma in 2006. In 2014, he became a clinical professor. In 2018, he founded Oklahoma Eye Surgeons, PLLC.
Dr. Sarkisian specializes in premium cataract and glaucoma surgery, with a special interest in Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS). He implants premium lenses with cataract surgery and was the first in Oklahoma to implant a PanOptixR trifocal lens. He was the first surgeon in the state to perform iStent, iStent Inject, iStent Infinite, Excime Laser Trabeculostomy, Hydrus, Xen Gel Stent, Trab-Ex, SION, the iDose, and the canaloplasty. He was the first surgeon in the USA to use the OMNI device. He was also the first to use the TRAB360 and VISCO360 devices, the predicate devices to OMNI.
He has conducted numerous clinical trials in the surgical treatment of glaucoma. Dr. Sarkisian has presented and published his work both nationally and internationally. In 2016, he co-authored the book “Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery, a Practical Guide”.
Dr. Sarkisian currently serves on the editorial board of the “Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery” as well as the editorial board of “Glaucoma Today”, “Glaucoma Physician,” and “Ophthalmology Management”.
