Eyeworld

14 Ophthalmology Business • July 2016 by Vanessa Caceres, Contributing Writer At the practice John-Kenyon, Louisville, Kentucky, the LASIK obser- vation room has been around since August 2000. "We wanted to offer a viewing room to create an exceptional experience for both the patient and their family and friends who accom- pany them on the day of their proce- dure," said Asim Piracha, MD. Both John-Kenyon and Center for Sight knew they wanted the observa- tion rooms in advance, so the viewing areas were part of the building design. The rooms may require extra expense and planning, but they have benefits. The rooms help better educate loved ones—perhaps future patients—about eye surgery, and they can be a marketing tool for the practice. "By providing this experience, we hope the person will leave our prac- knowledgeable staff member who can narrate the process. David Shoemaker, MD, found- er and director of Cataract & Lens Replacement Surgery, Center for Sight, Sarasota, Florida, decided to add surgical observation rooms more than 25 years ago. He built them into Center for Sight's first surgery center location and liked them so much that when he expanded the practice, he included observation rooms for femtosecond laser cataract surgery and LASIK in the current ambulatory surgery center. "Gone are the days when you would wave goodbye to a loved one as they were rolled into the surgery center," Dr. Shoemaker said. He thinks the rooms play a role in the practice's commitment to trans- parency and engagement. Observation area bolsters education and practice transparency F amily members or friends of those having cataract or refractive sur- gery often wonder what goes on behind the OR's closed doors. At some forward-think- ing ophthalmic practices, they're able to get a closer view with surgical observation rooms. Although setups may vary, the basic idea is a small room behind 1-way glass where family members or a loved one can watch what happens during surgery. A key component is a Letting patients look in at the OR The surgical observation room at Center for Sight in Sarasota, Florida Source: Center for Sight

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