Optimizing and Automating Day-to-Day Workflows
Cascade Outpatient Spine Center streamlined billing, improved chart audits, and enhanced inventory management with HST.
By using HST’s ASC management and electronic charting solutions, they:
- Shortened CMS chart auditing time from 3-4 hours to 37 minutes
- Reduced outstanding balances
- Accurately tracked inventory with automated supply tracking
# of Centers: 1
# of ORs: 1
Featured Solutions: Electronic Charting
Solutions in Use: Surgery Center Management, Scheduling & Care Communication
Specialties: Spine
State(s): WA
Customer type: ASC
The Challenge
Cascade Outpatient Spine Center, a privately-owned ASC in Bellingham, Washington, specializes in outpatient spine surgeries and pain management procedures. Operating since 2016 with one OR and handling nearly 2,000 cases annually, they faced challenges when they knew they had to adopt a new EHR. They knew they wanted to find a solution that would eliminate manual processes for billing, inventory tracking, and reporting and also allow them to fully customize their charts. The need for cost-effective, streamlined operations became critical to keep their workflows as simple as possible and improve financial visibility.
The Solution
Hannah and her team evaluated solutions from HST Pathways, SIS, and Epic. They decided to move forward with HST’s practice management and electronic charting software because they offered the best balance of cost-effectiveness, customization, and operational efficiency tailored to their specialized outpatient spine procedures. The flexibility of HST’s platform allowed for extensive customization, significantly enhancing workflow accuracy. Automated features streamlined patient scheduling, documentation, and billing processes, while the task manager improved chart auditing and minimized errors. This seamless integration empowered the clinical team to take ownership of the system, fostering strong staff buy-in and operational efficiency.
What normally takes 3 to 4 hours for a chart audit process was completed in just 37 minutes. The CMS surveyor even called it the best charting system they’ve ever seen in the state.
– Hannah Martinez, Clinical Director
The Results
Since adopting HST, Cascade has experienced exciting improvements. Their billing process is now automated, providing real-time visibility into accounts receivable, reducing errors, and improving cash flow. The operations manager can instantly identify unpaid claims, track AR over 90 days, and focus on resolving outstanding balances—replacing previously manual, inconsistent processes.
During a surprise CMS survey, chart audits, once a cumbersome task, were completed in 37 minutes instead of 3-4 hours, with the surveyor praising it as the best charting system they’d seen in the state.
Nurses use the task manager feature to self-audit, catching errors before formal reviews, which has significantly improved documentation accuracy and compliance. Additionally, inventory management has become precise, with real-time tracking that reduces the need for manual counts. Automated supply deductions, tied directly to patient charts, ensure accurate stock levels, which has been invaluable during supply shortages. Cascade maintains a three-month inventory buffer with confidence, knowing exactly what supplies are on hand at any given moment.
HST has transformed our operations. We can now identify AR over 90 days instantly, manage inventory with precision, and have peace of mind during accreditation surveys, knowing our charts are complete and accurate.
– Hannah Martinez, Clinical Director
The Future
Looking ahead, Cascade plans to expand by adding another OR, leveraging HST’s capabilities to support growth. They are also preparing to integrate their clinic’s charting system with HST to eliminate manual data entry and enhance information flow. As the center scales, they intend to adopt more HST features, like surgery boards, to improve communication with patient families. With HST as a strategic partner, Cascade is well-positioned to continue optimizing efficiency, improving patient care, and supporting future expansion.