ASC challenge: Recruiting and retaining surgical technologists

According to the 2022 OR Manager Salary/Career Survey, many ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are facing a critical shortage of surgical technologists (STs). The percentage of leaders reporting an increase in the number of ST open positions jumped from 22% in 2020 and 28% in 2021 to 42% in 2022, and nearly two-thirds (63%) had at least one open position, with 22% having three or more. In addition, more than a third (37%) reported increased ST turnover, compared to 25% in 2021 (13% in 2020), and 58% are finding it more difficult to recruit STs in the last 12 months.