The best partnerships benefit everyone involved. Ideally, all parties thrive through their similarities and unique strengths. Longview’s Pacific Surgical Center and Pacific Surgical Institute may share a physical footprint and closely related names, but each provides specialized medical care in a way that is a win/win for patients visiting one or both locations.
Pacific Surgical Center performs outpatient surgical procedures focusing on orthopedics, podiatry, urology, gastroenterology, and general surgery. They use the latest techniques and equipment and are dedicated to up-front, clearly posted transparency pricing.
The larger Pacific Surgical Institute is home to PSC as well as Longview Urology, Pacific Imaging Center, Longview Orthopedic Associates, Longview Physical & Sports Therapy Services, and Interpath Labs. They also focus on outpatient treatment options and pricing transparency.
Pacific Surgical Center has three operating rooms and an endoscopy suite. Nine surgeons operating at PSI—six orthopedists, two urologists, and a plastic surgeon—have access to the surgery center and local area physicians can also apply for privileges and conduct procedures at the facility.
By having so many specialists under one roof, patients can check off much of their pre- and post-operative care at the same time. Reducing extraneous visits means fewer days of missed work and a more peaceful, streamlined recovery. “It’s a very efficient set-up for patients,” says William Turner, one of PSI’s founders. “They can get their pre-surgery imaging and blood work done on site. It’s also a great environment for physicians because we supply all of the equipment and an experienced group of nurses and techs who are qualified to handle virtually any surgical specialty.”
A recent study explained that “While COVID-19 has accelerated the interest in ambulatory care, this shift began long before the pandemic for a number of reasons. Take ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) as an example: Often more conveniently located than hospitals, ASCs allow patients to be discharged within 23 hours of care, reducing their risk of infection and allowing recovery to take place in the comfort of their own homes. The ASC is often more intimate than the hospital, giving patients a greater sense of personalized care and contact with their care team. Perhaps most persuasively, costs to both patients and payers can be significantly less at ASCs, as their entire operating chassis is often configured at a lower cost base.”
And lowered infection risk is nothing to sneeze at, so to speak. At PSI, their rates are consistently well below 1% and clearly posted on their website. With the national average between 2 and 4%, that shows their commitment to safety and patient outcomes.
Also important, as exemplified by PSI’s seven founding doctors, is physician ownership. The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association explains that “Physician ownership allows for maximum professional control over the clinical environment and the quality of care delivered to patients. This advanced model of service enhances the delivery of care by allowing physician operators to focus exclusively on a small number of procedures in a single setting; intensify quality control processes…and afford patients the ability to bring any concerns directly to the physician operator who has direct knowledge about each patient’s case, rather than deal with hospital administrators who often lack detailed knowledge about individual patients and their experiences.”
Their smaller setting also means greater specialization, a more controlled schedule with fewer cancellations, and personal guidance every step of the way. “In the ASC setting, physicians can schedule procedures more conveniently for patients, assemble teams of specially trained and highly skilled staff, ensure that the equipment and supplies being used are best-suited to their techniques, and design facilities tailored to their specialties.”
Inc. magazine sums it up perfectly. “Establishing a successful partnership and ensuring it has the ability to grow are essential, but they don’t guarantee that you will succeed. Long-term success also requires honesty and transparency.” At Pacific Surgical Center and Pacific Surgical Institute, they believe in treating patients in a straightforward, professional, skilled, and respectful manner. Individuals can readily select their surgeon, meet with a financial planner, or simply ask questions about what comes next.
If surgery is on the horizon, ask your primary care team if PSI and PSC are right for you. Inpatient surgery and billing your insurance aren’t mandatory, despite our preconceived notions. Their staff will work with you and your doctors to ensure the best outcome, least invasive procedure, and smoothest recovery. You always have a choice and choosing a partnership dedicated to your wellbeing is win/win/win for everyone.
