Editor's Note The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) released its v44 Standards, introducing new guidance designed to strengthen patient-focused care, streamline compliance, and align with evolving state regulations, an August 18 AAAHC announcement reports. As detailed in the news release, the v44 Standards, effective December 16, 2025, were…

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Roughly 41,000 surgical procedures happen in the US every day. Each one depends on surgical technologists (STs), the professionals who prepare the OR, hand off instruments, and ensure a sterile environment to prevent infections that affect up to 3% of all patients. The profession’s importance is reflected in AORN’s recommended…

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Editor's Note Healthcare providers, payers, and analytics teams face sweeping ICD-10 changes this fall, with the 2026 code updates taking effect October 1, 2025, Wolters Kluwer July 14 reports. The release includes 614 new codes, 12 invalidations, 642 billability changes, 88 terminology revisions, and the creation of an entirely new…

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For decades, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have shown their ability to deliver high-quality surgical care at substantially lower cost than hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs). ASCs achieve these savings through leaner operations, streamlined staffing models, and specialty-focused efficiencies, not by compromising safety or outcomes. Studies consistently highlight procedures performed in ASCs…

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As we celebrate National ASC Month, it is worth recognizing how central ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have become to modern healthcare. Today, there are more than 12,000 ASCs across the US, including over 6,500 Medicare-certified facilities operating some 18,800 surgical suites. With over 80% of all surgical procedures being performed…

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Editor's Note The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Society of Robotic Surgery (SRS) have launched a joint initiative to expand equitable access to virtual care and telesurgery, according to a WHO departmental update published August 8. The partnership, formalized in July at the SRS Annual Meeting in Strasbourg, France,…

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Editor's Note Patients from socioeconomically deprived areas are more likely to have reduced cardiorespiratory fitness before surgery, potentially contributing to poorer surgical outcomes, MedicalXpress August 12 reports from a study published by PLOS One. The research, led by PhD student Donna Shrestha of Lancaster University Medical School, analyzed preoperative fitness…

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Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially declared the nationwide shortage of sodium chloride 0.9% injection products over, saying a critical supply line for hospitals and surgical teams is restored. According to an August 8 statement from FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary, MD, MPH, the resolution marks a…

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For an ambulatory surgery center (ASC), earning accreditation can be more than a mark of excellence. The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) offers Medicare Deemed Status Accreditation, eliminating the need for separate surveys to certify compliance with the Conditions of Participation (CoPs) required by the Centers for Medicare…

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Editor’s Note: This page is a companion piece to the main article, How ASCs ace the AAAHC accreditation survey. The posts below cover the latest version of the handbook from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and advice on delineation of privileges.  Navigating the new handbook The latest…

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