• The OOSS’ benchmark survey for ophthalmic ASCs

The 2008 Benchmark Study of 2007 facility performance has been launched. You will see an improved survey, including enhanced instructions and individual facility reports as a result of valuable feedback from the pilot study conducted last year and input from our OOSS Roundtable of Experts. Included will be several new and refined Key Business and Clinical Benchmarks. Each will give you immediate insight regarding the performance of your facility or facilities.

Results of the Study will only be released to members of OOSS. If you are not a member and like more information, please visit the OOSS Membership icon or call OOSS at 866-892-1001.

Kent Jackson, Ph.D., Research Director of the OOSS Benchmark study, will discuss the results at the Progressive Ophthalmic ASC Regional Meeting on October 3, 2008 in Los Angeles.

• OOSS Benchmark FAQs

GENERAL

Why should I participate?
Benchmarking is one of the most powerful tools for initiating and sustaining continuous improvement. It provides fact-based decision making by defining  “best practice”.  Results will also be used to form a comprehensive base of data that will permit meaningful comparison of longitudinal analysis giving a perspective of performance over time. 

Who can participate?
Any ophthalmic ASC surgery center is allowed to participate.  You will only receive a report of the results if you are a current member of OOSS.  For more information about how to become a member, please visit http://ooss.org/inside/membership.php

What is the deadline to participate?
The survey is open for three months.  To enter data for your 2007 annual performance, you must respond before July 17, 2008.  We will begin accepting data for 2008 performance as early as April 2009.

What year of data should I submit?
Always provide data for the previous full calendar year.  For the 2008 study, enter data for your 2007 annual performance, or January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007.

Do you have to participate in 2007 to participate in 2008?
No, you can participate for the first time whenever you are ready.  See registration below for information about how to participate.

Is my data secured?
Data will only be presented in the aggregate to protect the confidentiality of individual facilities.  When using filters or segments, we will only show data when we have 10 or more facilities that meat the criteria.

What states are included in each geographical region?
Northeast Region: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
Midwest Region: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas
South Region: Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas
West Region: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Hawaii

REGISTRATION

How do I register my facility?  How do I receive an invitation to participate?
To participate, you are required to answer a few questions.  We will be able to customize your survey and also provide you with a unique URL, so you are able to start, stop and finish the survey in multiple sessions.  To do so, email Kristin at kzache@lancejackson.com and she will email you a link to the short profile survey.

Who is Lance Jackson & Associates?
LJA is an independent research firm, specializing in research to build, strengthen and extend enterprise brands.

DATA

How long does it take to collect the data?  When will I see a report?
The survey is open for a full three months.  Custom reports for each facility will be created and distributed to OOSS members within three months of the close of the survey or by the end of October. 

SPECIFIC QUESTIONS

Q2: How do I know if the facility location is urban, suburban, a small city or in a town or the country?
Urban – The core of a major city
Suburban – The area surrounding a major city
Small City – Generally a population between 100,000 - 500,000
Town & Country – Generally a population less than 100,000 and other rural settings

Q7: Should “housekeeping” be included under business or clinical hours?
Clinical

Q8: What is considered full-time?
A full-time employee works whatever number of hours the practice considers to be the minimum for a normal work week, which is usually 32 or more hours a week.  Anything less than this is usually considered part-time. 

Q8, 9: How do I calculate the number of employees for 2007?
Please add the total number of employees for the entire year.  Do NOT refer to an average or the current number of employees.

Q11 &12: What about multiples?  If there are two procedures in a single visit, how do I calculate this?
Count each individual procedure, so if there were two procedures in a single visit with the same patient, then that would be two individual procedures.

Q24: What is considered “medical clearance”?
Medical clearance refers to a patient being sent to someone outside of the facility other than a surgeon or anesthesiologist who will deem it necessary to address the risk factors weighed and balanced against the risks associated with the proposed procedure and anesthetic. 

Q32 – 35: Does “all surgical procedures” include yag laser procedures?
Yes, we are looking for absolute totals that include everything billed to the center. 

Q36: What does “after X days” refer to?
“After 30 days” = 31-60 days, “After 60 days” = 61-90 days, and “After 90 days” = 91+ days

Q37: Should I include the amount billed for just the implant or for the procedure plus the implant?
Include only the amount billed for the lenses in 2007.  Do not include the cost of the procedure.

Q38: What is part of a phaco pak?
Include only the soft goods needed for the phaco machine and not the custom pack. 

Q38: Where do I account for pharmaceutical drugs and tissue?
Account for drugs, tissue and any other expenses under the category “all other medical supply”.

Q39: Should the category “all other” include expenses that I listed in the previous question?
No, only report an expense once.  If you mentioned it under a previous category, do not mention it again.

OTHER QUESTIONS

Ms. Claudia A. McDougal Executive Director
6564 Umber Circle, Arvada, CO 80007

Phone 866.892.1001 • Fax 303.940.7780 • claudiamcdougal@ooss.org

• Benchmark Survey Confidentiality Statement

CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT
Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society
(OOSS)

Measures For Success Confidentiality Procedures

OOSS is fully committed to maintaining the confidentiality of people involved in its studies. To this end the Society has instituted policies to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of the study participants and any personal information they may provide. To further assure the confidentiality of study subjects, the Society has developed a comprehensive set of policies to protect the confidentiality of information provided by participants in Measures For Success studies.

Who has access to the information from this study?

After member information is released from OOSS to its survey firm, only staff directly involved with the studies has access to this information. All staff that has access to the data is required to sign a confidentiality agreement. Furthermore, under no circumstances for any purpose will this information be shared with others, with the only exception of the survey research firm that is assisting in conducting the study.

What is a confidentiality agreement?

All employees involved with the collection and analysis of data are made aware of the individual responsibility to protect the privacy of individuals involved with the study. Employees sign the agreement to maintain the privacy of those involved in the study. Employees have then agreed to the specific privacy and confidentiality issues involved with the research.

What policies are in place for assuring the secure storage and transit of data? (the Data Protection Plan)

At all times, electronic data (information stored on computer drives or disks) remain in password-protected files, and paper files, including completed questionnaires, are stored in locked filing cabinets. Respondent contact information and survey data will be stored in separate locations and/or computer files whenever possible. To further protect the identity of the respondent, each participating person will be assigned a unique case identification number, which will be used whenever possible instead of the person's name and associated organization.

What happens if someone no longer wants to be part of the study?

If a person asks to stop participating in the study or never be contacted again, then they are marked as refused and their name and contact information are removed from the study's database.

What will happen to the completed questionnaires?

If you prefer to submit your information by the use of a hard-copy questionnaire instead of electronically, the information will first be entered into a computer; the paper copy will be locked in file cabinet, stored for a minimum of three years after the completion of the study, and then destroyed by shredding and incineration. The electronic data will remain in password-protected computer files.

What if I'm interested in what you’re studying and want to "opt-in"?

At anytime you may express your interest. Simply contact us. We will then make product offerings that fit your particular interest available to you via email or your preferred way of contact. You have the ability to opt-out at anytime. We will not share your identifying information with any other organization.

Aggregate statistical summaries of the data and analyses (frequency tabulations, means, variances, and correlation coefficients) are not considered confidential or restricted data. Such information may be freely published by the Investigator and may be used for ongoing research programs.

What if I have additional questions?

Claudia A. McDougal
Executive Director
Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society
P: 866-892-1001
Kent Jackson, PhD
Director of Research, Training and Strategic Planning
Lance Jackson & Associates
P: 303.393.8869