GAIA Operational Consulting

Continuously improve the quality of your dialysis services with GAIA Consulting and our staff of experts. We GAIA Operational Consulting provide nephrologists and facility personnel with the tools necessary to transform their business from a service organization to a guarantor of quality treatment.

GAIA Consulting Aim

The GAIA Consulting team are experts in management theory and system thinking using Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) as just one aspect of a Total Quality Management (TQM) program. We use an ‘MBA’ approach to building and managing dialysis operations, including: strategic planning, fundamentals of leadership, models for employee motivation, use of teams and organizational behavior. Our aim is to:

Transform dialysis facilities from service organizations to guarantors of quality treatment
Exchange knowledge, resources and technology with providers to enhance ESRD patients’ well-being
Work to continuously improve the quality of the system for delivering dialysis services Financial areas of emphasis include the following:

Operational Feasibility Studies

Market and SWAT analysis

Analysis of operating environment and costs structure
Itemize Cost Per Treatment data by modality
Annual Income and capital budgets (with balance sheets and cash flow projections)

Medicare Cost Reporting

Prepare and support audits
Bad debt recovery programs
Execute exception requests

Billing System

Document and flowchart processes
Review pricing policies and procedures
Evaluate managed care contracts

Accounting System

Implementation of computerized system (includes training)
Establish policies and procedures
Support for tax return preparation and independent audits

Joint Venture Merger Acquisitions

Conduct business valuations and assess growth potential
Advise on operating, risk factors, business arrangements, exit strategies and legal and capital structures

Clinical Solutions Emphasis

Quality Program

Patient outcome quality assessment
Educate staff and management in the principals of continuous quality improvement
Identify key issues and how to measure and quantify them

Patient and Staff Modelling

Analyze patient and staff scheduling procedures
Define core patient treatment activities
Train management to lower costs through proper staffing

Dialysis Delivery Process

Document and flowchart current process
Refine and reengineer procedures for efficiency

Medical Records

Review current system for efficiency, accuracy and compliance
Select and implement computerized system

Patient Care Policy Procedures

Create general policies and procedures (to be revised and fine-tuned by Medical Director and Nurse Manager)
Align facility with Medicare Compliance Standards for facility

Facility Solutions

Business Planning

Develop three year plan – including financial projections and exit strategy (Owners and management participation required)

New Facility Development

Construction and Implementation, includes: site selection, design, and space planning using the Medicare survey

Financing

Negotiate loan packages: SBA, commercial and unconventional funding arrangements Computer
Software implementation and training for patient management, billing, accounting, payroll etc.
Custom software solutions

Durable Medical Equipment

Design and implement DME service company
Medicare compliant policies and procedures for operation

Personnel Issues

Review organizational chart and job descriptions

Insurance Coverage

Assess facility coverage, carriers, and rates. Review claim history and bulk purchasing power

DIApro Dialysis Facility Management Software