Two and a half years ago, Omar Shakir, MD, MBA, and founder of Coastal Eye in Greenwich,...
Industry pioneers are turning to office-based surgery to stay ahead of the curve in the future of Ophthalmology. The CRST Podcast explores the State of Play in Office-based Surgery. John Hovanesian, MD, moderates a discussion with Mark Lobanoff, MD, and Dagny Zhu, MD, on their insights, unexpected surprises, and specific approaches to office-based surgery. This in-depth conversation on the future of ophthalmic procedures and how to gain more control and flexibility over surgery.
Benefits for Patients
Enhanced Comfort and Convenience
Patients can have their surgery performed in a familiar setting that feels less intimidating than a hospital or ASC. They don't need to fast or endure the anxiety of IV sedation, and procedures are over quickly with a seamless recovery.
Improved Patient Satisfaction
According to Dr. Dagny Zhu, many patients appreciate the calming effects of oral sedation, as it reduces undesired movement during surgery and minimizes post-operative nausea. Patients even feel more personal connection with the staff, leading to higher satisfaction levels.
Benefits for Surgeons
Unmatched Autonomy
Surgeons gain complete control over scheduling, staff, and surgical processes. For Dr. Mark Lobanoff, whose practice at OVO LASIK + LENS features an iOR Suite, this autonomy turned a long-time struggle for ASC block time into an efficient, seamless experience.
Efficiency Like Never Before
OBS eliminates common bottlenecks in patient prep and turnover times. Dr. Lobanoff's OBS facility achieved the fastest case turnover among 81 centers studied nationally, thanks to optimized processes and proximity between pre-op, OR, and recovery areas.
Empowered and Engaged Staff
OBS boosts staff retention by allowing them to take on dynamic roles. For example, Dr. Zhu's team seamlessly transitions between clinic and surgical duties, which fosters empowerment and prevents idle time, especially during lighter surgery schedules.
Benefits for Practices
Cost Savings and Scalability
Building and operating an OBS is far more economical than an ASC. It allows smaller or younger practices to expand their surgical capabilities without the massive upfront investment that an ASC demands.
Streamlined Overhead
With no need for an on-site anesthesiologist or CRNA in most cases, overhead costs drop significantly, especially for cash-pay procedures like refractive lens exchange (RLE) or implantable collamer lenses (ICL).
Visit an OBS Suite
Dr. Lobanoff emphasizes that seeing is believing. By inviting colleagues to observe his OBS in action, he demonstrates the state-of-the-art infrastructure, professional processes, and superior patient experiences that defy outdated misconceptions.
How to Transition to OBS
If you're considering OBS but feel unsure about the initial steps, here’s how you can get started:
1. Evaluate Your Needs and Objectives
Understand what procedures can be effectively transitioned to OBS and assess space requirements for building an on-site surgical suite.
2. Secure Regulatory Compliance
Partnerships with companies like iOR Partners can simplify accreditation, space planning, and staff training to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
3. Start with Gradual Implementation
Begin by integrating OBS for simpler, cash-pay procedures like LASIK, PRK, or RLE. Gain experience and confidence before expanding to broader or more complex cases.
4. Train and Empower Your Team
Equip staff with the skills and knowledge needed to support both clinical and surgical responsibilities. OBS opens opportunities for growth and engagement within your practice team.
5. Educate Patients and Colleagues
Transparency is vital. Offer guided tours of your OBS facility to demystify the process and showcase its sophistication. Patients can meet the staff and gain confidence well before their surgery day.
OBS is the Future of Surgical Excellence
“Office-based surgery is the next stage in evolution,” says Dr. Lobanoff, and many pioneering surgeons agree. With its compelling combination of patient comfort, surgeon autonomy, and operational efficiency, OBS represents a forward-thinking step for practices aspiring to deliver world-class care in ophthalmology and beyond.
If you're ready to take the leap into office-based surgery, ensure you have the right partners to guide you along this transformational path. From space planning to staff training and billing expertise, iOR Partners has the resources to support your practice’s transition to OBS.
The future of surgery is here. Are you ready to reimagine excellence in patient care? Contact us at info@iorpartners.com to visit an iOR Suite.
