Often, new systems struggle to identify the efficiencies and inefficiencies within their services lines. Forming teams from the merged facilities, including physicians and administrators integral to their separate labs, can lead to divisiveness or indecision on how to proceed with integration. In such cases, bringing in a neutral party—an expert in vascular services integration—can be beneficial.

An experienced consultant specializing in vascular services can offer valuable insights into current service performance by examining key components that insiders might overlook. Consultants with expertise in vascular testing understand the economies of scale achieved through cohesive service creation, making them a cost-effective solution for integration. While some systems may focus on the direct costs of hiring a consultant, the delays and opportunity costs associated with poor integration can far exceed these initial expenses, ultimately costing significant revenue and operational inefficiencies.

A competent consultant will assess the situation, meet with key personnel, and determine the organization’s goals and values. They will gather input from all stakeholders to align individual and group objectives, minimizing conflict and maximizing cooperation. Key questions a consultant might ask include:

• What types of vascular testing are performed?
• Do the technologists have comparable skills and experience for all testing modalities?
• What testing protocols and diagnostic criteria are utilized?
• Is the equipment capable of providing standardized testing?
• Do the vascular labs have all necessary equipment for the offered tests?
• Is reporting standardized across the system?
• Are testing protocols and reporting methods conducive to accurate billing?
• Are the vascular labs IAC accredited?
• Who manages the clinical and operational aspects of the testing area?
• How are exams scheduled, and do schedulers know what tests are available and where?
• Do physicians know what tests are available and how to use the results?
• Does the system capture all patients with vascular disease, and how are they treated?

By answering these questions, a consultant can develop a system-specific plan to consolidate resources, increase productivity, and standardize processes, all aimed at improving care delivery. A neutral consultant can often bring harmony where division existed by using benchmarking data to standardize best practices. The primary benefit to the system is providing one standard of care across the entire system, reducing costs, and improving outcomes.

Facing the Future with Standardization

With increasing pressures from the Affordable Care Act and ACO models, hospitals must maintain a competitive edge and serve more patients effectively. Successful resource allocation and patient outcomes are crucial. Some hospital systems have mastered service integration, while others, with less experience, risk losing revenue and increasing expenses if not done properly. Regardless, improving patient care invariably reduces costs and enhances quality of life for everyone.

Based on a recent Becker’s Hospital Review Survey, the top reasons hospitals purchase physician practices include:

• Enhancing service delivery efficiency
• Reducing operational costs
• Improving patient care quality
• Expanding service offerings

By addressing these challenges head-on and leveraging the expertise of specialized consultants, healthcare systems can achieve successful integration, resulting in better patient outcomes and more efficient operations.