Can focusing on specific services enhance efficiency in healthcare? This study explores the concept of factory focus within hospital-owned ambulatory surgery centers (surgicenters) in the United States, providing insights into how cost containment pressures have led hospitals to segment their surgical markets. The research examines various operational adaptations, including integrated facilities, plant-within-a-plant models, and separate facilities. Data from 54 hospital-owned ambulatory surgery centers were analyzed, focusing on costs, organizational structure, and service times. The findings indicate that centers sharing operating rooms with inpatient surgery reported less achievement of the advantages and avoidance of the disadvantages of outpatient surgery. These shared facilities also experienced longer waiting times and higher charges. The study supports the separation of inpatient and outpatient surgical settings, with a majority of center directors favoring continued separation for customer service-oriented reasons. This research provides valuable insights for hospital administrators seeking to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their surgical services.
This article, featured in the International Journal of Service Industry Management, investigates the application of focused factory principles in a healthcare setting. Its analysis of ambulatory surgery centers aligns with the journal's scope, offering actionable insights for service industry managers aiming to optimize operations, enhance customer service, and achieve cost efficiencies.