Editor's Note The plan to eliminate the Medicare Inpatient-Only (IPO) List and expand the Ambulatory Surgery Center Covered Procedures List (ASC-CPL) from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has generated widespread reaction, with more than 3,900 comments submitted during the official feedback period, Ambulatory Surgery Center News September…

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Editor's Note Nurses in Kansas are raising alarms that the state’s licensing system is punishing them for minor mistakes and lapses, leaving many unable to work, according to a series of reports by KWCH between August 27 and September 12. Lawmakers are now pressing the Kansas State Board of Nursing…

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Editor's Note President Donald Trump’s latest round of tariffs—especially steep duties on Chinese imports—has sharply divided the medical community, with device manufacturers urging exemptions while some US-based PPE producers cheer the protectionist move. CNBC reported the news April 16. The tariff rate on China is 145%, the outlet reports, while…

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From sharps and blood-soaked surgical instruments to discarded anesthetic agents, biohazardous waste from ORs can threaten human health and the environment. In addition, failure to adhere to regulatory requirements can result in significant fines. However, the volume and diversity of biohazardous waste can create challenges with managing this material. Mitigating…

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Editor's Note United Surgical Partners International Inc. has agreed to pay $1.48 million to settle a proposed class action alleging its 401(k) plan charged excessive fees and included costly investment options, according to a motion filed in Texas federal court, Law360 January 6 reports. The settlement resolves a lawsuit brought…

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Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its 2025 Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program data, showing strong participation among Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs), ASC Focus December 20 reports. Of the 6,012 facilities included in the list, 5,714 will receive the full Annual Payment Update…

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When a speaker at a recent conference asked if anyone had achieved a first-case on-time start (FCOTS) rate above 90%, Jay Parker, BSN, RN, could have been the only one in the room with his hand up. However, Parker was not inclined to call attention to himself. As director of…

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Editor's Note In this OR Manager Conference session focusing on alternative funding options for capital acquisition and related consumables, Steve Spring, BA, executive finance director at Massachusetts General Hospital, outlined various strategies and considerations for managing high-value capital equipment purchases. A core challenge discussed was balancing surgeon demands for advanced…

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Editor's Note Erin Fox, senior pharmacy director at University of Utah Health who has been monitoring drug shortages for over 20 years, spoke to AP News in June of her concerns. Currently, the situation is worse than ever, with total active shortages hitting an all-time high of 323 (with 48…

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Editor's Note Shortages of active drugs in the US have reached a new record, according to an April 12 CNN report on data from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the University of Utah Drug Information Service. The two organizations have been tracking this data since 2001, the CNN report says.…

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