Office-Based Surgery: A New Era and Opportunity

As the Chief Executive Officer of Mittleman Eye, I’ve been fortunate to be part of a practice that’s been at forefront of technology and patient care for 26 years. When I was asked to present at the ASOA Aii program, I jumped at the opportunity to share my experience with office-based surgery. Aii is a comprehensive framework designed to help ophthalmic practices effectively embrace new technologies, processes, and strategies.    

Office-based Surgery (OBS) has been a revelation. For our practice and countless others, OBS isn’t just an alternative to ASCs. It’s the future of cataract surgery which is why it was included in this year’s Aii session.  

Adoption: Factors that Led to Office-Based Surgery 

Our transition to OBS was driven by multiple factors that make it the optimal choice for modern ophthalmic care: 

• Growing Patient Demand: With an aging population (we are located in West Palm Beach, FL), requiring advanced procedures such as cataract surgery and refractive lens exchanges, the demand for quick and efficient surgical options has never been greater. 
• Limited ASC Access: ASCs face increasing challenges, including growing competition for operating time, battles over resources, and declining reimbursement rates. 
• Autonomy and Flexibility: OBS empowers surgeons to achieve greater autonomy. By operating in a customized surgical suite, our surgeons regain control over scheduling, staff, and the overall patient experience. 

OBS offers a forward-thinking solution that is tailor-made for these challenges, positioning itself as a game changer for cataract surgical care. 

Integration: Bringing the Pieces Together 

Transitioning to OBS may sound daunting, but iOR Partners made it incredibly simple. They provide a comprehensive, hands-on approach to transitioning practices to OBS, leaving no detail overlooked. 

Here’s how iOR Partners set us up for success: 

• Turnkey Setup: iOR Partners creates state-of-the-art surgical suites designed to meet the highest clinical standards.
• Expert Training: From day one, iOR’s team thoroughly trained our existing staff to ensure peak efficiency and safety. 

• Supply Chain Optimization: Exclusive pricing on surgical equipment and materials reduces costs without compromising on quality. 

• Scheduling and Workflow Support: Streamlined scheduling ensures maximum practice efficiency. 

• Data-Driven Safety Audits: OBS suites with iOR Partner oversight consistently achieve safety metrics that rival traditional ASCs. 

I would never have imagined doing this alone with the busy practice that we have. Teaming up with iOR Partners made all of this happen and has been an incredible success. 

Implementation: The Impact of OBS on Our Practice 

We report substantial, measurable benefits: 

• Higher Case Volume: With more control over our surgeon’s schedules and resources, we have seen significant increases in surgical volume. Mittleman Eye completed over 5,000 procedures in just 3 years. 

• Improved Patient Satisfaction: OBS empowers surgeons to create a seamless, personalized experience, resulting in happier patients and enhanced loyalty. 

• Reduced Cancellations: OBS eliminates many of the scheduling conflicts common in ASCs, resulting in zero canceled surgeries and only a small handful of reschedules. 

• Better Surgical Outcomes: Safety audits reveal OBS outcomes to be on par with, if not better than, those of traditional ASCs.  

• Enhanced Staff Engagement: OBS allows our practice to expand staff responsibilities, boosting workplace engagement and morale. 

The capabilities don’t stop there. We are not only able to perform standard cataract surgeries but also expand into additional procedures like advanced technology intraocular lenses (ATIOLs), refractive lens exchanges (RLEs), and implantable collamer lenses (ICLs), unlocking significant growth potential in entirely new markets. 

A New Era of Surgical Excellence 

With OBS, the advantages for both surgeons and patients are undeniable. This approach not only delivers the efficiency and safety of an ASC, but also prioritizes surgeon control and patient satisfaction in entirely new ways. 

As a surgeon, administrator, or key decision maker in an ophthalmic practice, now is the time to explore the OBS approach designed for innovation, autonomy, and safety.  

Author: Hugh Glatts, hglatts@mittlemaneye.com