STOP screen for OSA A simple, validated tool to screen for obstructive sleep apnea has 4 questions: Patients who answer yes to 2 or more of the questions are ranked as being at high risk for OSA. Combined with other known risk factors for OSA, high BMI, age over 50,…

With reimbursement for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) becoming tighter, the need to run an efficient and productive facility has never been greater. ASCs can hope that staff will recognize the highly competitive times and step up efforts to help improve the performance of the center and keep it profitable without…

Part two of two articles. Last month, we analyzed how the new Medicare payment system for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and the expanded list of Medicare-approved procedures affect orthopedics, podiatry, general surgery, and gastroenterology. The new payment system took effect Jan 1, and more than 800 procedures were added to…

The possibility of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is one of the things patients dread most about surgery. Fortunately, there are evidence-based steps your ambulatory surgery center (ASC) can take to prevent this distressing complication. Without treatment, some 20% to 30% of patients will have nausea and vomiting—rising to 70%…

The first of two articles. With the biggest change in payment methodology in 2 decades, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are facing a pivotal year. The new year brought the beginning of the new Medicare payment system for ASCs and the addition of more than 800 Medicare-approved procedures to the ASC…

As president and CEO of MedSynergies, Inc, Irving, Texas, John R. Thomas knows insurance benefits. After all, his company offers management and billing solutions to health care providers and facilities. So when Thomas opened an envelope to find his insurance company had sent him a higher-than-expected bill for spinal surgery…

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have a new set of 5 standard measures to use in quality reporting and benchmarking. The measures, endorsed by the National Quality Forum (NQF), were developed by ASC experts. The measures include: 4 patient outcome measures: —patient burn —patient fall in the ASC —wrong site, side,…

For 2008, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) generally will be paid at 65% of hospital outpatient department (HOPD) payments, under a final rule issued Nov 1 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The rule, effective Jan 1, 2008, sets rates for the first year of the new ASC…

The temporary staffing agency you use for your ASC assures you it conducts thorough background checks. You decide to hire the accounts receivable clerk sent from the agency. Your prehire background check reveals the clerk spent time in prison for embezzlement. You escort the clerk out the door. Most managers…

ACalifornia neurosurgeon has set up an advanced spine center other surgeons might envy. Robert S. Bray, Jr, MD, spent $12 million to renovate an empty office building in Marina del Rey, California, and stocked it with state-of-the-art technology, opening the DISC (Diagnostic and Interventional Spine Care) integrated surgical center in…