Anesthesiologists as ACO Leaders
As hospitals, Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs), and physician providers formulate the transparent partnerships the new rules require to participate in an ACO, it is important to be reminded that anesthesiologists are integral providers to achieve the goals of this new ACO concept. Anesthesiologists have been critical players in the initial assessment and on-going management of patient’s care throughout the perioperative and obstetrical arenas. In addition, Anesthesiology has been a champion for patient safety and has contributed data to the Anesthesia Quality Institute (AQI), for years.
Recent professional editorials have talked about creating a “surgical home” or an Accountable Anesthesia Organization as concepts where anesthesiologists would lead a team dedicated to the goals of an ACO. A recent article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association addressed the potential mistakes in implementing ACOs, particularly in failing to recognize interdependencies (http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/306/7/758.full).
It will be interesting to see the CMS response to the final rules for ACOs when they are made available.
Physician Alignment Presents Challenge in Forming ACOs, Survey
Healthcare administrators and physicians report one of the biggest obstacles they face in forming accountable care organizations (ACOs) is physician alignment, according to a survey conducted by AMN Healthcare, a healthcare staffing organization.
The survey of more than 800 administrators and physicians found that 58 percent said they were in the process of forming ACOs or are considering doing so, while 42 percent said their facilities would not be forming ACOs in the foreseeable future.
Of the administrators and physicians moving toward ACOs, 42 percent said physician alignment is the most serious obstacle to their efforts. Forty percent of the physicians and administrators who are not forming ACOs said physician alignment was the reason.
Other obstacles to forming ACOs included lack of capital, the absence of integrated IT systems, and no evidence-based treatment protocol data, according to the survey.
