Ep. 10: Kayla Schneeweiss-Keene – Using Technology to Improve Patient Outcomes | This Week in Surgery Centers

Here’s what to expect on this week’s episode. 🎙️

Every healthcare provider aims to achieve the best outcomes at the lowest cost.

But what role does technology play in that mission? Can implementing technology actually improve patient outcomes?

According to Kayla Schneeweiss-Keene BSN, RN, CASC, Administrator at Mann Cataract Surgery Center, the answer is a proven yes.

Kayla is no stranger to implementing new technology. This year she was given the “ASC Innovations Award” at the Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society’s Conference for her and her team’s decision to implement the ZEISS ARTEVO Microscope. Here are the other ways technology has positively impacted her center and its outcomes.

💻 Online Pre-Assessment: Giving patients the option to complete their pre-assessment online provides a better experience for the patient and improves data accuracy. With 70% patient usage, this has allowed them to save about 18 hours of nurse time per week, which equates to $2,500-$3,000 of savings per month, and that extra time is reallocated to patient care.

📱 Patient Texting: For pre- and post-op communication, patient texting has helped with day-of reminders and discharge instructions, and has allowed the patient to stay in touch with the surgeon’s office, too.

🚫📝 EMR Implementation: This year, Kayla implemented an EMR and immediately started saving 6-8 hours per week in chart prep alone. That time has been reallocated to patient care and reduced unproductive busy work.

👁️ Laser Cataract Surgery: By offering this alternative, patient recovery time is reduced, patients can see better faster, and overall outcomes are improved.

Find the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube to hear even more tips for how you can use technology to improve patient outcomes!