Editor's Note Patients treated by hospital-affiliated physicians are far less likely to receive specialty procedures in lower-cost settings, while private-equity–affiliated doctors are the most likely to steer patients toward these options, Ambulatory Surgery Center News August 12 reports. The findings come from a Mount Sinai study that examined physician affiliation,…
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…
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…
Editor's Note As robotic-assisted surgery continues to expand across specialties, perioperative nurses are driving operational excellence, clinical outcomes, and team coordination—often serving as the linchpin of these high-tech surgical programs. According to an April 16 article from the Cleveland Clinic, the health system’s robotic surgery program illustrates how nurses are…
Editor's Note The formerly titled OR Business Management Conference has rebranded as the OR Business Management Summit, reflecting a strategic shift toward more tailored, immersive support for perioperative business leaders, an OR Manager June 10 press release reports. The newly renamed Summit emphasizes curated content, targeted networking, and facility-specific learning…
Editor's Note Hospitals are ramping up in-house pharmacy operations to boost revenue and improve care, but high US manufacturing costs continue to stall a broader federal effort to reshore drug production, Modern Healthcare June 5 reports. As detailed in the article, an aging, medically complex population is driving demand for…
Editor's Note The 2025 OR Manager Career & Salary Survey is now open, and your insights are essential. This annual survey offers a comprehensive look into compensation trends, job satisfaction, staffing challenges, and more within the perioperative community. By participating, you contribute to a valuable resource that informs and supports…
Editor's Note A session at the 2025 Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) Annual Conference used a striking analogy, comparing the Kentucky Derby to the daily operations of a sterile processing department (SPD) to energize professionals and reframe persistent challenges in the field, Infection Control Today April 27 reports. The article…
Editor's Note A recent Duke University analysis challenges the long‑held assumption that ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) inherently deliver superior results for outpatient joint replacement, Orthopedics This Week March 18 reports. In the February 2025 Journal of Arthroplasty, researchers report that same‑day discharge total knee arthroplasty (TKA) performed in a tertiary‑care hospital…
Editor's Note Diving deep into compensation trends, responsibilities, retirement planning, staffing, and more, OR Manager’s annual Career/Salary Survey is the best place to obtain insight about your peers' job satisfaction and greatest challenges. However, we need your help to continue providing these insights—and we’re offering incentives in addition to the…