Interview: Leann Bradley Foltz, ASC Director at Watauga Orthopaedics, on Leveraging Data-Driven Insights for Operational Excellence
Leann Bradley Foltz is the Director of Watauga Orthopaedics Center for Advanced Bone and Joint Surgery. She has worked in surgery centers for over 20 years, gaining extensive experience in the field. Watauga's ambulatory surgery center , independently owned, opened just over a year ago and has already successfully completed more than 700 total joint replacements and 3,500 procedures. Leann is committed to providing safe, exceptional surgical care for patients in her region, while continuously seeking ways to reduce costs.
We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Leann, to discuss how data-driven insights can transform the way her center approaches operational efficiency.
Q: What made you interested in exploring data-driven insights for your ambulatory surgery center (ASC)?
Leann: I’ve always believed in the importance of continuous improvement, but I also knew we needed more detailed insights into our operations to really make a difference. When DEO.care approached us with the opportunity to use their data-driven technology, I was excited by the prospect of gaining deeper, more granular data about our processes. The idea of creating digital twins of our OR processes really intrigued me.
?Q: Did you have any concerns about getting started with this solution?
Leann: Absolutely. Initially, I was worried the technology aspect might overwhelm our team or disrupt our daily operations. But I have to say, it was much less disruptive than I anticipated—there were zero issues. It was such a smooth process that we barely noticed it was happening.
Q: How did the data collection process work? Did it impact your team at all?
Leann: That was one of the best parts! The team didn’t have to change a thing about their workflow. They didn’t need to enter data manually or remember specific details. Everything was captured directly, which eliminated the risk of error. It was very hands-off, so the staff could continue focusing on patient care without any distractions.
Q: What insights did you gain from the data that would have been difficult to gather otherwise?
Leann: The depth of information we got from DEO.care’s solution was incredible. It captured so much detail that we wouldn’t have been able to gather through traditional methods—especially in a busy ASC environment where distractions are common. We were able to pinpoint inefficiencies and areas for improvement in ways that manual tracking would miss.
Q: How do you see this data helping you make improvements moving forward?
Leann: As they say, “If you’re not measuring something, you can’t improve it.” With this data, we can now clearly see where we need to make changes, and it’s backed up by solid evidence. This isn’t just about gut feelings or anecdotal observations anymore—we have real data to validate our decisions. Being able to benchmark our performance against others in the industry is also a huge plus. It gives us context and a clear path forward.
Q: What’s next for Watauga Orthopaedics' ASC operations after this experience?
Leann: I’ve already put DEO.care on our top five wish list for future investments. The insights we gained have been invaluable, and I’m excited to implement these to optimize our processes even further. My goal as an ASC Director is to keep improving, and with tools like this, we can ensure that Watauga Orthopaedics stays at the forefront of operational excellence and innovation in ASC care.
Through this partnership with DEO.care, Leann Foltz her team at Watauga Orthopaedics, PLC are demonstrating how data-driven insights can transform operations, leading to smarter decisions, reduced inefficiencies, and enhanced patient care.