Service
Anesthesia care-team model design
“Is our anesthesiologist, CRNA and AA mix right for our case mix and OR hours?”
The care-team model is one of the largest levers on anesthesia cost, and one of the least examined. The ratio of physician anesthesiologists to certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) or certified anesthesiologist assistants (CAAs), the rooms each one covers and the hours they staff decide how many clinicians you pay for.
We design the model with your clinical leaders, starting from case mix and acuity rather than habit. The goal is safe, reliable coverage at a cost you can explain.
What we look at
- Case mix, acuity and procedure length by location
- Current medical direction ratios and where they vary
- Obstetric, trauma and after-hours coverage needs
- State scope-of-practice rules for CRNAs and anesthesiologist assistants
- Recruiting conditions and open positions
- How room layout and scheduling limit the ratios you can reach
What you get
- Two or three workable models, with staffing and cost for each
- The trade-offs of each model for quality, coverage and recruiting
- A recommended model and a phased path to reach it
- Measures that show whether the model is working once it starts
What we need from you
- Case data by location, hour and procedure
- The current staffing roster by role
- Coverage requirements for obstetrics, trauma and call
- Time with anesthesia and surgical leadership
Questions
- Do you favor a particular model?
- No. Physician-only, care-team and CRNA-led models can each be right for a given hospital. The answer depends on case mix, acuity, state law and the local recruiting market.
- Can we change the model without changing groups?
- Often, yes. Many model changes are negotiated within an existing agreement. We help you frame the change and the numbers behind it.
- Do you take sides between anesthesiologists and CRNAs?
- No. Our team includes physicians and CRNAs. Our only interest is coverage that is safe, reliable and affordable for the hospital.