Welcome to ASC Manager! Every month OR Manager produces content for ambulatory surgery center leaders in addition to frequent blog posts from expert contributors from across the nation that understand the challenges administrators, manager, and clinical leaders within ASCs face daily. Included in this resource center are ASC-specific books, toolboxes, and more to add to your arsenal. Be sure to bookmark this page and visit it often for new articles and posts. Thank you for being a part of the ASC Manager community!

Key items for cardiovascular, peripheral vascular service lines

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are ramping up cardiovascular and peripheral vascular service lines, as Medicare offers payment for a growing number of cardiac procedures and accrediting bodies offer support for this methodology. In 2021, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission reported that the number of ASCs billing Medicare for cardiology procedures…

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By Jennifer Lubell

Subscriber Content A systemic approach to cardiac service line safety

Among Surgical Care Affiliates’ (SCA) 260-plus facilities in the US, at least 10% have added cardiovascular/peripheral vascular service capabilities. SCA experts anticipate more growth in this area. However, any successful launch starts with an organizational focus on patient safety, says Ezra Erb, vice president for clinical quality at SCA, which…

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By Jennifer Lubell

Subscriber Content Vital role of the central sterile department in ASCs

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 31 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection (HAI) on any given day. To help mitigate HAIs, implementing infection control procedures and policies, frequently performing hand hygiene by all staff and patients, and keeping the healthcare environment…

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By Erica Smith, MBA

Are spinal procedures the wave of the future for ASCs?

Looking toward 2022, spine procedures are expected to drive growth and optimize performance in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Michael Ast, MD, chief medical innovation officer for HSS, Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, can attest to this personally. A year ago, his father could not even walk up a…

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By Jennifer Lubell

Hospitals, ASCs face tough decisions in wake of vaccine mandates

Health systems across the country are enacting COVID-19 mandates to comply with a broad-sweeping federal requirement. Amid reports of high compliance rates, the mandate has triggered passionate and visceral responses on both sides of the debate. While some healthcare employees are eager to roll up their sleeves, others decry the…

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By Jennifer Lubell

Survey: Most ASC leaders plan to stay the course after pandemic

Consistency is the word that comes to mind when reviewing results from the 2021 OR Manager Salary/Career Survey. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) reported that salary, satisfaction, and the number of employees supervised were comparable to metrics reported in 2020. The good news is that…

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By Cynthia Saver, MS, RN

Subscriber Content Maintaining a productive OR as cases shift to ASCs

The migration of surgical procedures from hospital ORs to hospital-owned ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) is picking up speed. According to a recent survey, three-quarters of larger hospitals now have an ownership stake in more than one ASC. Two-thirds of US health systems are currently planning to increase their ASC investment.…

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By Leslie Basham, MBA, Thomas Blasco, MD, MS, Brian Watha, MHSA, Anne Cole, RN, MSN, CNOR and Joan Dentler

Subscriber Content COVID-19 driving the move to regional anesthesia

Cancellations of some surgical procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic and case rescheduling have been a major focus for perioperative leaders. But changes are also occurring in anesthesia practices. For many surgical procedures, the use of regional anesthesia or nerve blocks, coupled with light sedation, is reported to double if the…

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By Steven C. Eror

Subscriber Content ENT leaders share innovative ideas to calm pediatric patients

Advancements in technology have made it easier to distract children and ease their fears when they are undergoing surgery, but managing this patient population presents unique challenges. To guide parents and children through the surgery experience, leaders at some ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have turned to child life specialists, innovative…

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By Jennifer Lubell

Subscriber Content Think ahead: Plan today for tomorrow's staffing gaps

Planning ahead isn’t always intuitive in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). However, when a business manager or clinical coordinator suddenly falls ill, announces plans to retire, or quits unexpectedly, ASC leaders need to respond nimbly and effectively. Someone has to step in and take over to make a seamless transition without…

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By Jennifer Lubell
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