A Vested Interest

A group of physician investors has entered into a joint venture with Florida Hospital Heartland Division to open a day surgery center on the north side of Sebring.

Located behind the Sebring hospital, the Surgical Center of Sun 'N Lake occupies the bottom floor of the two-story, 30,000-square-foot building, which opened in December.

The Women's Wellness Center is located on part of the second floor. The remaining space upstairs is available for medical offices.

A multi-specialty center, the surgical center offers general surgery, ear, nose and throat, gyn, plastic surgery, urological services and gastroenterology, said Kim Howse, RN and administrator. Howse added the center is looking at other services such as pain management and possibly some brachytherapy, which is treatment for cancers.

There are currently 11 physician investors on the staff. There are some noninvestor physicians including the oncologist, plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist. Howse said there are about 20 doctors total and 15 people working for the nursing and administrative staff.

There is 50-50 partnership between the doctors and the hospital. They co-manage the surgical center.

A governing board, which includes three representatives from the hospital and three physician investors, makes the operational and budget decisions.

Stephen Earnhart of Earnhart and Associates Inc. is a consultant to the board and advises members on policies and procedures and makes recommendations on practices.

Howse, who works for Earnhart, said he has opened more than 200 centers in the United States during the last 20 years.

The surgical center is leasing space from Lillibridge Corp., a private healthcare real estate firm.

Howse said the convenience and the efficiency are two important benefits of the center.

"It's come in, check in at the front desk and you are immediately taken back to the pre-op area, where you are prepped for your surgery," she said.

"Our staff here is multi-faceted," she added. "They have worked in surgical centers before; they do everything, basically. Every nurse has to be what is called ACLS certified which is advanced cardiac life support certified."

"We do have the patient coming with almost all the lab (work) which is necessary already done," said Dr. Carlos Gonzales, medical director and chief of anesthesia services for the center.

The state regulates what is considered a day surgery, according to Howse. It is a procedure from start to finish that should not take any longer than two hours - the actual surgical time. The average length - from the time the patient sets foot in the door until the time he or she leaves - of stay should be four to five hours.

"The state has very, very stringent guidelines regarding ambulatory care - somewhat more stringent than the hospital because you have to be able to be self-supportive, you have to have things in place to take care of things. Even though we see healthy patients, we have to be able to handle any emergency that might arise.

If an incident occurs at the center, there is a "transfer agreement" with Florida Hospital.

Howse said one of the requirements the center has for its physicians is they have to have admission privileges at the hospital where patients are transferred.

The surgical center, 4240 Sun 'n Lake Blvd., is open from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

An open house, in conjunction with the Women's Wellness Center, will be held from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24.

There will be tours of the facility as well as door prizes.