Tag: Cost-effectiveness

Hospitals can curb costly post-acute discharges with targeted periop programs, study finds

Editor's Note One in 10 older adults and one-third of the highest risk patients are discharged to post-acute care facilities after major surgery, driving up costs and worsening outcomes. According to the American College of Surgeons (ACS) in an August 25 release on a Journal of the American College of…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
August 27, 2025
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Artificial disc replacement proves safe, efficient, cost-saving in outpatient spine surgery

Editor's Note Artificial disc replacement (ADR) in the cervical spine can be performed safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively in outpatient/ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), Ortho Spine News July 31 reports. The article details research from Steven J. Girdler, MD, of DISC Surgery Center, who reviewed 6 years of data from 1,043 patients…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
August 20, 2025
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ASCs face growing pressure to centralize implant management as specialty volumes surge

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are taking on more high-acuity, same-day procedures than ever before. This growth is driven by evolving clinical protocols, cost-conscious reimbursement strategies, and expanded capabilities in outpatient care. Specialties like orthopedics, spine, ophthalmology, and cardiovascular care are moving more complex cases—and the implants that come with them—out…

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By: Tracey Berkowitz
August 19, 2025
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Leveraging technology to streamline ASC operations, optimize patient care

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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By: Emily Spooner
August 19, 2025
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Hospital margins improve as outpatient revenue accelerates, but costs loom

Editor's Note Hospital operating margins rose in June as outpatient revenue growth fueled stronger financial performance, though rising bad debt and non-labor expenses continue to pressure stability, according to Kaufman Hall’s latest National Hospital Flash Report. HealthLeaders August 18 covered the findings. As detailed in the article, the median year-to-date…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
August 18, 2025
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Health systems lean toward established partners for AI adoption

Editor's Note Most US health systems are choosing artificial intelligence (AI) tools from vendors already connected to their electronic health record (EHR) systems rather than from new, standalone AI startups, Modern Healthcare August 14 reports. The findings come from a July survey of 233 health systems conducted by the Healthcare…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
August 16, 2025
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Centralized sterile processing: An ASC's journey to offsite sterilization

Editor’s Note: This page is a companion piece to the main article, Centralized sterile processing cuts costs, complexity for four ASCs.    Implementing offsite sterilization is a major project. At Total Joint Specialists, our journey began gradually, growing in scope over time as the team became comfortable with the process…

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By: Emily Arce, Lacey Dyer
August 13, 2025
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Study: Medicare Advantage surgical episodes cost less, achieve similar quality as traditional Medicare

Editor's Note Medicare Advantage (MA) patients undergoing elective surgery incurred lower costs than comparable patients in traditional Medicare (TM) without higher readmission rates and with no significant difference in mortality rates, according to a study published August 1 in JAMA Health Forum. The findings suggest that MA plans reduce surgical…

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By: Matt Danford
August 6, 2025
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Study: Private equity pushes colonoscopy costs higher without improving care quality

Editor's Note Private equity ownership drives up colonoscopy prices without delivering better patient outcomes, according to a large retrospective analysis. While independent and private equity-acquired gastroenterology practices show no significant difference in quality, prices at private equity practices rose sharply, especially in highly consolidated markets. The study, published in JAMA…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
July 23, 2025
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Study: Clean paper towels match or exceed sterile options in surgical hand antisepsis

Editor's Note A study published July 9 in the American Journal of Infection Control found that clean paper towels are as effective—and in some cases more efficient—than sterile alternatives for surgical hand antisepsis. The results support their use as a cost-saving and safe alternative to sterile hand-drying products in surgical…

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By: Matt Danford
July 14, 2025
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