Subscriber Content You can't say that: Using social media in the healthcare setting requires sound judgment
It is hard to have tea with a friend or brag about a school soccer victory without involving social media. What was once a private or family matter no longer seems real until it is texted, posted, or even turned into a movie. Healthcare organizations, including ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs),…
Subscriber Content Sharpen coding skills and reimbursement strategies during ICD-10 delay
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) once again has extended the deadline to begin using International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) billing codes. Implementation has been set for October 1, 2015, and a growing number of billing, technology, and clinical specialists agree it is time to move ahead with…
Subscriber Content ASC survey respondents see more pluses than minuses in compensation
Surgical volume is up in nearly half (44%) of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), according to the 24th annual OR Manager Salary/Career Survey. To put this in perspective, consider that in 2009 only 19% of respondents said volume had increased and as recently as last year, only 25% reported an increase.…
Subscriber Content Cost control leads list of strategies related to healthcare reform
When the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law, many ambulatory surgery center (ASC) leaders viewed it with optimism because it requires everyone to have health insurance unless they choose to pay a penalty. “We thought this would be a very positive thing because we would see an increase…
Subscriber Content Recruitment challenges offset by relatively stable staff at ASCs
Staffing in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) is remarkably stable, although surgical volume is increasing in many centers and recruiting is becoming more difficult, according to the 24th annual OR Manager Salary/Career Survey. More than 70% of respondents said both the percentage and number of open RN and surgical technologist (ST)…
Subscriber Content Medicare reimbursement, allowable procedures at forefront of ASC challenges
Leaders of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) can expect to continue facing challenges related to reimbursement even as they try to increase the kinds of procedures that can be performed in their facilities, say experts with the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA). Other key factors that will determine their future success…
Subscriber Content Oregon surgery center is pioneer in outpatient hysterectomy
Surgeons perform about 600,000 hysterectomies per year in the US, but less than 1% of these take place in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Richard Rosenfield, MD, is trying to change that. Before he founded Pearl Surgi-Center in Portland, Oregon, Dr Rosenfield performed outpatient hysterectomies at several local hospitals as an…
Subscriber Content Ritz customer service rules boost staff morale during difficult transitions
If a fancy hotel can make its guests feel well cared for, why can’t a surgery center do the same? Spivey Station Surgery Center in Jonesboro, Georgia, discovered that using principles of hospitality could take it beyond excellent patient care to higher levels of patient satisfaction and staff morale. …
Subscriber Content ASCs face learning curve as quality reporting goes online
Computers and computer-driven devices have transformed the way healthcare is delivered, and use of the technology has led to greater efficiency, error reduction, and the ability to perform some previously impossible procedures. However, it is not always easy to incorporate computer tools into traditional activities such as quality tracking and…
Subscriber Content Be prepared for when surveyors come knocking
Nobody wants to come to work some morning and find a team of inspectors waiting. There is nothing like a surprise exam to make one nervous. Yet inspections are necessary—and not necessarily evil. Ambulatory surgery center (ASC) inspections are required for Medicare certification by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid…
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- Private equity bets big on outpatient cardiology as CMS boosts reimbursements
- AI-driven CMS pilot model could slow ASC care despite fraud-fighting goals
- UnitedHealthcare anesthesia cuts spark backlash over patient access risks
- Your playbook for OR wins is in Anaheim
- FDA recalls affect surgical staplers, OR procedure kits, ultrasound systems used in hospitals
- States take aim at outpatient facility fees driving higher commercial health costs
- Slower acquisitions, mounting debt reshape Surgery Partners growth outlook
- ASCs surge as hospitals and investors chase outpatient growth
- High prices, not overuse, keep US healthcare costs far above peer nations