Words of Wisdom

"Hire an architect who has built surgery centers and knows the difference between freestanding ASCs and hospital-based surgery centers. Work with a consultant who has done this before. Don't overbuild."

Doris Collier, RN, MBA
Specialists One-Day Surgery

"Do as many site visits as you can. Talk to your colleagues and determine what they would definitely do again and what they regret and would do another way."

Ann Geier, RN, MS, CNOR
Medicus Surgery Center

"Pick your physician partners very carefully. You don't need the wealthiest, but the highest quality with the largest practices."

Lawrence D. Pinkner, MD
SurgiCenter of Baltimore

"Have nurses involved in the design work. We would have made several changes in our facility if nursing was involved in the decision-making."

Sharon Bowen, CASC
ENT Surgical Center

"Ask for input from staff that will be using the area. Ask a nurse about clinical setting, but ask the secretary about her area as well."

Marlene Brunswick, RN
Findlay Surgery Center

Ouida Klock, MSN, CNOR
Mountain Empire Surgery Center

"Select a construction management/development firm that matches your organization's personality."

Todd E. Barnett, RN, MBA
Southern Ohio Medical Center

"If you're planning to apply for AAAHC/Medicare certification, hire a consultant who will get you through the process. A consultant can give you all of the forms, outlines and books."

Victoria Powell, Administrator and CFO
Town Center Surgery

"Make sure people with strong clinical experience are involved in the patient care design to evaluate traffic flow, efficiencies and safety issues."

Patti Moore, RN, BS, CNOR
River View Surgery Center

Louise DeChesser, RN, CNOR, MS, FACHE
Waterbury Hospital, Reed ASC

"Have many people look at the design plans before beginning construction. After construction was completed, we saw a lot of things we could have done better to improve the use of the space."

Brian Baker, RN, CNOR
Redwood Memorial Hospital

"Take the time to watch over everything very closely. You will not have the time. You have to take it. Changes add cost to the project so make sure it is done correctly the first time."

Janet Tidwell, RN, MSN, CNOR
North Mississippi Medical Center