Case study

Transforming a Total Joint Program into a Surgical Services Powerhouse

Restoring Trust, Elevating Quality, and Empowering Surgical Readiness Across 25 Facilities.

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Challenge
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Approach
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Findings
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Impact
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Overview

Since 2015, this multi-campus hospital system in the Southeast U.S. has partnered with ASSI to manage and grow its Total Joint Program. Providing comprehensive surgical scheduling, board running, and oversight of orthopedic sterile processing operations to ensure efficiency, quality, and scalability.

Client

Large Hospital System

Year

2015

Region
Tennessee Hospital System and Orthopedic Group
Solutions provided
  • Total Joint Program

”ASSI didn't just bring staffing, they brought structure, leadership, and a vision for surgical excellence. They helped us stabilize our team, optimize our workflows, and grow our volume with integrity and measurable outcomes. Our patients, staff, and leadership have all seen the results.

– Executive Director, Orthopedic Practice Group

The challenge

A leading orthopedic practice was outgrowing the operational capabilities of its host hospital, creating strain on perioperative services and tension with O.R. leadership.

Split Surgical Volume

Surgeons were dividing cases between two competing hospitals, disrupting scheduling efficiency and eroding institutional loyalty.

Instrument Reliability Issues

Vendor-supplied instrumentation frequently arrived with bioburden, torn wrappers, and misconfigured sets, causing case delays and cancellations.

Leadership Concerns in SPD

Persistent quality issues raised doubts about sterile processing leadership qualifications.

Capacity Constraints

Block time demand exceeded capacity at both facilities, limiting surgical growth.

Lack of Standardization

Instrument trays and surgical packs varied widely, driving up cost and waste.

Our approach

To transform the Total Joint Program into a high-performing surgical services operation, ASSI implemented a phased strategy focused on workforce development, operational redesign, and long-term scalability. The goal was not simply to address immediate challenges, but to create a sustainable foundation for growth, quality, and surgeon confidence.

Team Deployment & Surgical Services Stabilization

  • Identified, hired, trained, and supported five new surgical teams (First Assistants, Surgical Technologists, Circulating Nurses, Sterile Processing Leads, and Technicians) 
  • Purchased, standardized, and assembled instrumentation for Total Joint Cases  
  • Flexibly staffed across Middle Tennessee to ensure coverage and continuity during the transition 
  • Supported 600 surgical cases per year with full instrumentation and case coordination. 

Total Joint Program Redesign

  • Managed the relocation of the total joint program to a new hospital site. 
  • Increased weekly staff coverage from 40 to 60 hours. 
  • Partnered across departments, including anesthesiology, hospitalists, radiology, and pre/post-op teams. 
  • Tripled case volume within three years and achieved a <1% surgical infection rate. 

Facility Expansion & Operational Optimization

  • Collaborated on new surgical floor design and operational launch. 
  • Oversaw hiring, equipment setup, and full supply chain activation. 
  • Standardized instrument trays and created custom surgical packs, reducing variability and operational cost. 
  • Piloted new surgical products with trusted, measurable implementation 

Impact

  • Case Volume Grew from 600 to 2,500+ Annually. 
  • Infection Rates Held Below 1%, aligning with best-in-class benchmarks. 
  • Established a Scalable Team Model, now supporting six primary and 20+ rotating surgeons. 
  • Enabled Internal Leadership Growth, many ASSI-trained staff advanced to hospital leadership roles. 
  • Validated as Trusted Supply Chain Partners, ASSI-led pilots inform product selection and efficiency programs. 

Helping services with integrity and care

25
Years of expertise
100
Facility assessments
1000
Staff ready

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