Case Study: Managing Anesthesia Services at Trinity Health’s Mercy Hospital and Medical Center

Trinity Health’s Mercy Hospital & Medical Center was part of Continental Anesthesia—the largest multi-system anesthesia provider in the Chicago area with 17 facilities. NorthStar Anesthesia acquired Continental in January 2016.

NorthStar’s more productive and efficient model of anesthesia care has had an impact in several key ways:

Improved procedures

NorthStar’s investments in technology and the company’s ability to share best practices by leveraging the clinical leadership from across the country has led to several procedural improvements.

NorthStar has a wealth of experience with running anesthesia departments and they are easy to work with. They are a nationwide group, but they have local leadership who are always immediately available and eager to help.

David M. Woosencraft, M.D., Medical Director, Mercy Anesthesiology Department

NorthStar streamlined the preoperative testing process and hired nurse practitioners to aid in gathering information, reviewing charts, and clearing patients for surgery. “This has resulted in a decreased cancellation rate due to anesthesia concerns, and it has raised the surgeons’ confidence in the anesthesia department,” says David M. Woosencraft, M.D., medical director of Mercy’s anesthesiology department. “Most importantly, we’ve improved the level of care for our many high-risk patients.”

More unity and order

NorthStar’s leadership training programs help prepare clinicians to manage the day-to-day operations within the anesthesia department. Prior to NorthStar taking over, the department needed stronger leadership, says Dr. Woosencraft. Now, it is run much more efficiently and there is improved communication between anesthesia personnel, nursing teams, operating room management, and hospital administration.

Better recruitment efforts

NorthStar’s national reach has allowed Mercy’s anesthesia department to recruit and retain quality anesthesiologists in the highly competitive Chicagoland region.

Operational efficiency

By streamlining back office capabilities—such as human resources, credentialing and accounting—NorthStar takes the administrative burden off of the providers, which gives them more time to focus on clinical care.