Pacific Surgical Institute Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

Pacific Surgical Institute Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

by JIM LEMONDS

When Pacific Surgical Institute (PSI) opened in Longview, Wash. in the summer of 2006, the goals were simple — create an environment that was comfortable, convenient and cost-effective for patients. “We also wanted to provide alternatives, so that patients would have the opportunity to make choices about their medical care,” says William Turner, MD, one of PSI’s managing partners. “We feel very good about what we’ve accomplished in our first year.”

PSI houses an outpatient surgery center (Pacific Surgical Center), as well as six other healthcare providers – Longview Urology, Pacific Imaging Center, Longview Orthopedic Associates, Longview Physical & Sports Therapy Services, Northwest Medical Analytic Laboratory, and Flourish Skin & Laser. In many cases, patients are able to receive related services without leaving the building.

PSI’s biggest challenge during the past year was gaining Medicare certification for its surgery center. “It involved a lot of bureaucracy and took longer than we expected,” Turner says. “But once we received certification and the major insurers signed on, things really picked up.”

Turner is especially proud of the results of an in-house survey conducted by Pacific Surgical Center (PSC). The survey, which included results from 121 patients during the past six months, found that 98 percent would recommend PSC to family and friends. In addition, 99 percent said they were prepared effectively for surgery and treated well by PSC staff.

“We have great people, not only in the surgery center but throughout the building,” Turner notes. “Our goal is always to provide the finest possible care for our patients. Having a skilled and experienced staff is the best way to accomplish that.” Turner adds that he has also received many positive comments about the convenient parking and PSI’s “nonhospital environment.”

Turner points to a recent contract agreement with Kaiser Permanente as another significant breakthrough for PSI during the past year. “Previously, some Kaiser patients had to drive to Portland or Vancouver for high-field MRIs,” Turner says. “The new contract will definitely provide a boost to our imaging department (Pacific Imaging Center), and it will make things much more convenient for Kaiser patients.”

Turner sees several additional changes on the way in the coming year. “We plan to continue to expand our technological capabilities by bringing in cutting-edge urologic equipment for use in the surgery center,” he said. “It will allow Longview Urology to do traditional operations in a way that’s more efficient and more comfortable for patients.”

Specialties currently available at Pacific Surgical Center include orthopedics, urology, OB/GYN, ENT, GI, oculoplasty, and podiatry. However, Turner anticipates a boost in the number of cases involving other surgical specialties. “Approximately 60 percent of all surgeries can now be performed on an outpatient basis,” he explains. “We definitely see potential to increase the types of procedures being done at PSC.”

Turner credits Mary Boaglio and Amy Hannahs — co-owners of Flourish Skin & Laser — for helping raise the bar for everyone at PSI when it comes to customer service. “What they’ve done to bring sophisticated laser technology to the local area is also a significant accomplishment.”

Pacific Surgical Institute is owned by seven local physicians – Turner, Bruce Blackstone, David Black and Jon Kretzler of Longview Orthopedic Associates and Stanley Myers, Chad Chesley and Patrick Lassen of Longview Urology.

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