Comprehensive Esophageal Health Center opens with more convenient, streamlined care
The ambulatory surgery center within Ohio State Outpatient Care New Albany enhances our ability to deliver nationally ranked care directly to the communities we serve by combining multiple specialties, including general and gastrointestinal surgical care, and improves access for patients.
General and GI surgeons at Ohio State lead advances in surgical techniques, including minimally invasive procedures that give patients faster recoveries and less postoperative pain.
The new center, combined with the latest technology, provides easier access to straightforward surgical procedures, says Kelly Haisley, MD, clinical assistant professor of Surgery at the Ohio State College of Medicine.
“I can get patients to surgery in a timelier fashion instead of waiting weeks. The flow is much simpler and easier for patients to get through,” Dr. Haisley says. “There is faster turnover, increased efficiency and great patient satisfaction.”
Growing patient volumes
The Outpatient Care New Albany ambulatory surgery center opened in August 2021. The first general surgery was performed that November. Patient volumes continue to increase.
Two general and gastrointestinal surgeons regularly perform basic procedures to treat esophageal and gallbladder conditions, hernias (abdominal core health) and small lumps and bumps. Growth plans call for adding three general surgeons within the next year. The expansion will:
- Help grow volume
- Improve surgeons’ ability to fast-track patients needing surgery
- Offer more treatment options like foregut outpatient anti-reflux operations (the LINX device) as part of Ohio State’s Comprehensive Esophageal Health Center
A collaborative culture
The surgery center’s innovative combination of services provides a positive and supportive environment for health care professionals, providers and patients and families. Every aspect of the outpatient care center’s operations is intertwined.
“We emphasize collaboration throughout the building to care for patients, from the supply chain to each individual clinic,” says Maria Stromer, MBA, BSN, nurse manager.
Dr. Haisley says the outpatient care center is an enjoyable place to provide patient care.
“The culture is one in which everyone works together to get through the day as efficiently as possible; everyone helps one another,” Dr. Haisley says. “Patients love it.”
In fact, the center’s patient satisfaction scores for outpatient surgery are in the top 1% nationwide.
Improving care access
The center’s surgical offerings include procedures from several specialties:
- Colorectal
- Ear, nose and throat
- Endoscopy
- Gynecology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopedic
- Pain management
- Plastic surgery
- Urology
- Vascular
Bringing so many surgical specialties to the community improves patient access to care, says Justin Perdue, MHA, BSN, RN, and the medical center’s associate director of Ambulatory Surgery.
“Patients can see their specialists, have a procedure, pick up their prescriptions and seek immediate care all under the same roof,” Perdue says.
Patients who need more time to recover from their surgery or procedure can use the center’s extended recovery option. “Patients can remain here until they are well enough to go home,” Perdue says.
Most patients do very well after surgery, thanks to the skill of surgeons and proceduralists to ensure positive postsurgery patient outcomes, Perdue says.
The center also provides nonsurgical care, including:
- Advanced immediate care
- Imaging services
- Pharmacy
- Rehabilitation
- Wellness care
“We want to meet all of our patients’ needs in one location, with minimal effort,” Stromer says.
