Operationally Speaking for ASC Leadership

Custom Surgical Partners, Inc.
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This podcast is brought to you by ASC Support, a division of Custom Surgical Partners, Inc., and is hosted by Tina DiMarino, DNP. The content is designed for ASC Leadership, Nurse Managers, and employees of surgery centers or office-based surgery suites. This content will cover high level issues affecting the industry as well as the ”in the weeds” topics of daily operations within a center. We aim to cover interesting and difficult topics that will deliver pearls and best practices to help make the job more enjoyable.

  1. 1d ago

    How ASCs Can Avoid Costly Technology Mistakes l Custom Surgical Partners, Inc.

    Healthcare technology is evolving faster than ever—but how do you know which tools are actually worth investing in?In this episode of Operationally Speaking, Tina D. Marino sits down with Laura Miller, Founder of TempeDev, to discuss how ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and medical practices can make smarter technology decisions. From software integrations and workflow optimization to AI and revenue cycle management, Laura shares practical advice to help healthcare leaders avoid costly mistakes and build systems that actually work.Whether you're evaluating a new EMR, implementing AI, or improving operations, this conversation is full of actionable insights.Timestamps00:00 Introduction00:42 Meet Laura Miller & TempeDev02:15 What TempeDev Does for ASCs & Medical Groups04:20 Why New Technology Doesn't Fix Broken Workflows06:35 The Biggest Mistake When Buying Healthcare Software09:10 Why You Should Evaluate Software Before Purchasing11:45 Integration Challenges Between EMRs & Practice Management Systems15:05 Hidden Costs of Interfaces, HL7 & System Connectivity18:00 Understanding Your Practice Before Implementing Technology21:10 Workflow Assessments & Finding the Root Cause of Problems24:15 Software Implementation, Training & Ongoing Support27:05 The Future of AI in Revenue Cycle & Healthcare Operations30:15 AI Risks, Governance & Building the Right Guardrails31:40 Final Thoughts

  2. Aug 11

    How AI Is Changing ASC Operations l Custom Surgical Partners, Inc.

    In this episode of the Operationally Speaking podcast, host Tina sits down with Noel Adachi, President & CEO of the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), to explore how the organization sets itself apart from traditional healthcare accreditors.They dive into AAAHC's core "1095 Strong — Quality Every Day" philosophy, which shifts the focus away from cyclical inspection anxiety and instead champions a culture of continuous operational readiness across all 1,095 days of the accreditation cycle.The conversation also tackles the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare technology, highlighting the recent launch of AAAHC's AI standards and their new interactive virtual assistant, "Bernie." Ultimately, Noel emphasizes that while technology can streamline workflows, robust organizational governance and human oversight remain paramount to preserving patient trust and safety.About Our GuestNoel M. Adachi, MBAPresident & CEO, AAAHCNoel Adachi is a recognized builder of strategies, systems, and teams, devoting her 35-plus-year career to advancing quality, compliance, and access to care. Since taking the helm at AAAHC in 2017, she has led a period of strategic transformation—reshaping governance, modernizing technology platforms, and establishing the defining 1095 Strong philosophy.Prior to AAAHC, Noel spent over two decades with the College of American Pathologists (CAP), serving in key leadership roles including Vice President of International Market Development, where she doubled CAP's presence in emerging global markets. She holds an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and a BA in mathematics and economics from Knox College.

  3. Aug 4

    Acing Your ASC Survey - An ACHC Perspective l Custom Surgical Partners, Inc.

    Navigating healthcare accreditation can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. In this episode of the Operationally Speaking podcast, host Tina DeMarino sits down with Kelly Dragon, a Clinical Review Specialist and Surveyor at the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC).With 20 years of nursing experience in obstetrics and perioperative services, Kelly pulls back the curtain on how ACHC supports Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) and Office-Based Surgery (OBS) practices through every step of the survey process.Timestamps00:00 – Intro & Kelly Dragon’s Clinical Background02:15 – The History & Reach of ACHC (29,000+ Locations)04:30 – Transparent Pricing & Collaborative Customer Support06:45 – The Timed Survey Program: Fast-Tracking New ASCs09:15 – Pre-Survey Q&A Calls with Clinical & Life Safety Experts13:00 – On-Site Surveys & Specialized Office-Based Standards18:20 – Consultative Surveying: Teaching the "Why" Behind Rules22:40 – Post-Survey Timelines & The 3-Year Accreditation Cycle26:10 – Continuous Quality Improvement & Flat-Fee Pricing28:30 – Why ACHC Voluntarily Achieved ISO 9001 Certification30:45 – Final Advice & How to Connect with ACHCLearn more about Custom Surgical Partners, Inc. below!Website - https://www.customsurgicalconsultants.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CustomSurgical/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/custom-surgical/

  4. Jul 7

    ASC Accreditation: Infection Control Pearls l Custom Surgical Partners, Inc.

    In this episode of Operationally Speaking, host Tina sits down with Jeremy Gibson-Rowark, a Standards and Application Interpretation Specialist at DNV. Moving past the old "compliance police" mindset, Jeremy shares how DNV utilizes a collaborative, tailored approach to healthcare accreditation, particularly within the rapidly growing Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) market.The discussion dives deep into the realities behind infection control citations, the necessity of treatings risk assessments as living documents, and the hidden operational pressures that lead to survey non-conformances. Jeremy also outlines the critical importance of adhering strictly to Manufacturers' Instructions for Use (IFUs) in sterile processing departments, the risks of using shortened cycles for inventory management, and how organizations can leverage DNV’s specialized certifications to build a proactive culture of patient safety.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction and Jeremy’s Background at DNV01:26 – DNV’s Deeming Authority and Expansion into the ASC Market02:59 – From OR Nurse to Surveyor: Clinical Interpretation Roles03:47 – The Collaborative Survey Approach vs. Traditional Accreditation05:20 – Building a "Just Culture" and Partnership for Patient Safety07:46 – Unpacking Infection Control Citations and Data Since 200909:47 – How Shifting Patient Demographics and Complexities Impact Data13:44 – Resource Allocation Challenges and Diversification of Roles in ASCs16:42 – The Core of Compliance: Keeping Your Risk Assessment Proactive22:29 – Cross-Training and Budgeting for End-of-Life Equipment26:42 – Operational Hurdling: Environmental Services and Terminal Cleaning Training28:23 – Disinfectant Dwell Times vs. Fast Room Turnover Pressures30:43 – The IFU Conundrum: Navigating Manufacturers' Instructions for Use33:00 – Managing Multiple Instrument Manufacturers and Varying Dry Times37:15 – Risk Assessing Older Instrumentation Without Available IFUs39:44 – Ophthalmology Challenges: Immediate Use Steam Sterilization (IUSS) vs. Inventory Management42:45 – Chemical and Detergent Risks in Ophthalmic Instrument Reprocessing44:44 – Specialized DNV Certifications for Sterile Processing and Infection Control47:26 – Outro and Accessing DNV Resources for Non-DNV Accredited FacilitiesLearn more about Custom Surgical Partners, Inc. below!Website - https://www.customsurgicalconsultants.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CustomSurgical/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/custom-surgical/

  5. Jun 23

    ASC Leadership - How to Drive Culture & Patient Safety l Custom Surgical Partners, Inc.

    In this episode of Operationally Speaking, we sit down with award-winning ASC administrator Beth Russell of the Knoxville Orthopedic Clinic. Beth shares her journey from bedside surgical tech to managing multiple surgery centers and hospital orthopedic departments.We dive deep into the philosophy that has driven her centers to win the Leapfrog Top ASC award for five consecutive years: putting your people first. Beth explains how transparency, celebrating your team, and fostering an environment of trust can improve staff retention and, ultimately, patient care. Whether you are a new manager or a seasoned administrator, this conversation provides actionable "pearls" on driving culture, improving communication, and creating a workplace where your team truly wants to be.Timestamps0:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome0:47 Beth Russell’s Career Journey: From Surgical Tech to Corporate Leadership2:37 Achieving Leapfrog Success: The Importance of Staff Culture3:51 Philosophy: Putting People First to Drive Patient Outcomes5:37 Strategies for Transparency and Open-Door Management6:24 Celebrating the Team: Small Gestures with Big Impact7:38 Building Trust in New Leadership Roles9:50 Retention Pearls: Using Social Media to Showcase Camaraderie12:17 Balancing Business Dashboards with Staff Touchpoints14:51 Handling Difficult Situations and Cultural Fit17:44 The Power of Communication and Problem Solving22:15 Final Takeaways: Building Cohesiveness Through Basic PrinciplesLearn more about Custom Surgical Partners, Inc. below!Website - https://www.customsurgicalconsultants.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CustomSurgical/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/custom-surgical/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/customsurgicalpartners/

  6. Jun 16

    Meet Tina: From Bedside Nurse to Premier ASC Industry Leader l Custom Surgical Partners, Inc.

    In this special flip-the-script episode of Operationally Speaking, we are changing things up! Usually, our host is the one asking the questions, but today, our producer Zach Shull steps out from behind the scenes to interview the driving force behind Custom Surgical Partners.Tune in as Tina shares her incredible journey through the Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) and office-based surgery space. From starting out as a bedside nurse to becoming a clinical geek with a doctorate, an MBA, and multiple industry integrations under her belt, Tina opens up about her career, her passion for free healthcare education, and her personal life as a proud mom and grandmother.Whether you are a surgeon, nurse manager, administrator, or surgical tech, this episode delivers inspiring leadership advice, a look into the nationwide growth of Custom Surgical Partners, and a blueprint for what it takes to level up your career.Timestamps0:00 - Welcome to a Different Kind of Episode!0:41 - Meet Your Producer: Zach Shull & ConnectMe Marketing1:35 - Flipping the Script: Interviewing Tina2:15 - Tina’s Journey: From Bedside Nursing to the ASC World3:38 - A Geek for School: Degrees, Leadership, and Continuous Learning6:14 - Balancing a Growing Career and Raising a Family7:02 - Transitioning from Center Management to Consulting8:32 - The Value of Having Worked Every Role in an ASC9:21 - The Evolution of Custom Surgical Partners & Nationwide Growth12:51 - Overview of Services: Development, Compliance, and Management14:42 - ASC Online Courses & Leadership Education15:23 - Why We Started the Operationally Speaking Podcast17:36 - Who is This Podcast For? 19:43 - How We Pick Episode Topics & Upcoming Mailbag Segments22:50 - Behind the Scenes: Disney, Family, and Beach Vacations25:27 - Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Leaders: "Be Fearless"27:46 - Connect with Us and Subscribe!Learn more about Custom Surgical Partners, Inc. below!Website - https://www.customsurgicalconsultants.com/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CustomSurgical/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/custom-surgical/

  7. Jun 2

    The Quad A Way: Balancing Rigor and Reason l Custom Surgical Partners, Inc.

    In this episode, Tom Terranova, CEO of QUAD A, joins the podcast to discuss the delicate balance between regulatory rigor and practical reasoning in outpatient healthcare accreditation. Discover the fascinating history of QUAD A and learn how their unique, peer-collaborative approach prioritizes long-term patient safety over punitive measures. The conversation breaks down the critical operational differences between Office-Based Surgery (OBS) suites and Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs), including how to navigate complex Life Safety Codes. Finally, get an exclusive inside look at QUAD A’s newly launched MedSpa and Wellness accreditation program, designed to bring standardized safety metrics to a booming, rapidly evolving industry.Timestamps00:00 - Introduction & Tom Terranova's Background03:03 - History of QUAD A & The Shift to Outpatient Surgery09:13 - What Sets QUAD A Apart: Peer Collaboration & Safety15:45 - Data Collection, Safety Studies, & Risk Reduction20:51 - Comparing Office-Based (OBS) vs. ASC Programs23:40 - Structural Nuances & Life Safety Codes (NFPA 101)29:41 - Launching the New MedSpa & Wellness Accreditation33:14 - Common Deficiencies: Documentation & Staff Turnover35:20 - The Importance of Local & State Regulatory Compliance38:10 - Future Trends in Ambulatory Care & Quality Metrics41:45 - Open-Source Safety Manuals & Educational Resources43:50 - Outro & Contact Information

  8. May 8

    Accreditation Reimagined: A New Mindset with DNV l Custom Surgical Partners, Inc.

    In this episode of Operationally Speaking: All Things ASC, we dive deep into the world of accreditation and quality management with three leading experts from DNV Healthcare. We move beyond the traditional "check-the-box" mentality to explore how a partnership-based approach to accreditation can transform patient safety and operational efficiency in Ambulatory Surgical Centers. Our guests share their extensive experience in navigating the complexities of the healthcare landscape, discussing the integration of ISO 9001 standards and the importance of building consistent, reliable systems that support long-term success. Meet the Guests: Crystal Green – Ambulatory Surgical Sales Manager at DNV Healthcare. Crystal brings over a decade of experience partnering with healthcare organizations to advance patient safety, quality, and performance through accreditation and ISO-driven improvement. She also offers unique leadership experience at the intersection of healthcare, energy, and equity, and serves as Co-Chair of the DNV Black Employee Network, where she is deeply committed to mentorship and developing future talent. Samantha (Sam) Smith – ASC Sales Manager at DNV Healthcare. A trusted partner to ASC leaders, Sam has over a decade of client-facing experience working alongside C-suite and executive decision-makers. She is recognized for her ability to navigate complex environments and align quality improvement strategies with real-world operations. As a mother, she brings the unique perspective that true stability is built on consistency, trust, and clear systems rather than simply checking a box. Michelle Coalson – Manager for ASC Accreditation at DNV Healthcare. Joining DNV in 2016, Michelle remains active as a Clinical and Generalist Surveyor, Team Lead, and System Team Lead. With over three decades of healthcare leadership and quality improvement experience, she is profoundly passionate about patient safety and the quality of care. Learn more about DNV Healthcare by visiting https://www.dnv.us/supplychain/healthcare/asc-accreditation-service-dnv/?utm_source=ASC_CustomSurgical_podcast&utm_medium=external_newsletter&utm_campaign=LS_HL_NAM_26Q2_WBNR_ASCC_US_DNV_ASC_ACCREDITATION_PODCAST&utm_term=ASCAccreditation_Podcast_External&utm_content=customsurgical Timestamps 00:00:00 Intro and Welcome to Operationally Speaking: All Things ASC 00:00:13 Meet the Guests: Samantha Smith and Crystal Green from DNV Healthcare 00:00:44 DNV's History and Mission: From Maritime Safety to Healthcare Accreditation 00:02:12 The Goal of Accreditation: Moving Beyond a Check-the-Box Mentality 00:04:19 DNV’s Collaborative Approach: Building Partnerships with ASCs 00:05:44 Education and Awareness: Helping ASCs Understand Requirements 00:07:33 The DNV Survey Experience: Focus on Patient Safety and Quality 00:12:14 Standardizing Processes: The Importance of a Quality Management System 00:15:16 DNV’s Specific Standards for ASCs 00:19:10 The Benefits of ISO 9001 Integration 00:23:44 Preparing for a Survey: Tips for ASC Leaders 00:27:07 Ongoing Support and Resources from DNV 00:30:16 Final Thoughts and How to Connect with DNV Learn more about Custom Surgical Partners, Inc. below! Website - https://www.customsurgicalpartners.com/

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This podcast is brought to you by ASC Support, a division of Custom Surgical Partners, Inc., and is hosted by Tina DiMarino, DNP. The content is designed for ASC Leadership, Nurse Managers, and employees of surgery centers or office-based surgery suites. This content will cover high level issues affecting the industry as well as the ”in the weeds” topics of daily operations within a center. We aim to cover interesting and difficult topics that will deliver pearls and best practices to help make the job more enjoyable.

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