Tuesday, June 02, 2020
Beaumont is always exploring ways to enhance clinical services. The health system has been working toward a more efficient and effective anesthesia model for the past couple years. Even with those efforts, Beaumont believes that optimal improvements have not been fully achieved under its current model. As a result, and due to current financial pressures on the health care industry because of the pandemic, Beaumont determined now is the right time to make the change to improve quality and costs.
The current model for anesthesia at Beaumont, where Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are employed by Beaumont and anesthesiologists are not, does not reflect industry standards or best practice. Across the nation, CRNAs and anesthesiologists typically work for the same organization, either a hospital/health system or an independent anesthesia provider. Beaumont is moving to a model where CRNAs and anesthesiologists will both work for an independent anesthesia provider with extensive expertise and experience in managing and providing this entire area of clinical service.
After conducting a national search, Beaumont signed an agreement with NorthStar Anesthesia to provide anesthesia services at the health system’s Dearborn, Taylor, Trenton and Wayne campuses beginning August 20, 2020.
“We listened to the feedback of our physicians, team members and references to select NorthStar Anesthesia. We know how important it is to our physicians and patients for Beaumont to work with anesthesia groups that deliver high-quality, safe and efficient care and also maintain in-network relationships with insurance companies. This is one of the ways we help protect patients from higher costs and out-of-network surprise bills,” Beaumont Health Chief Operating Officer Carolyn Wilson said. “Throughout the selection process, the professionalism and commitment to high quality care by NorthStar was clearly evident.”
NorthStar Anesthesia was founded in 2004 by an anesthesiologist and a CRNA and operates in more than 20 states across 150 facilities, employing more than 2000 talented clinicians. NorthStar has extensive experience recruiting and retaining CRNAs and integrating them into a cohesive care team model with anesthesiologists.
“NorthStar has a proven track record of providing high-quality patient care. We have a strong history of recruiting and retaining board certified, highly skilled physicians and CRNAs in Michigan and have established in-network relationships with major insurance companies. These relationships will help protect patients from higher costs, while maintaining safe, quality and compassionate care,” NorthStar Chief Executive Officer Adam Spiegel said.
Over the next few months, Beaumont will announce its plans for the Royal Oak, Troy, Grosse Pointe and Farmington Hills campuses. CRNAs who are currently employed by Beaumont at those campuses will also have the opportunity to transition to the new providers as part of this change.