Features - ASC Focus Magazine

Features

Surprise Medical Billing Update

What ASCs need to know to help patients avoid unexpected costs

BY ROBERT KURTZ | APRIL 2021

Over several years, congressional hearings and the continued rise in the cost of healthcare and patient copays contributed to a heightened awareness of the ill effects of surprise medical bills.

Avoid Credentialing, Privileging and Peer Review Deficiencies

Understand the requirements, keep current and use software to simplify processes

BY ROBERT KURTZ | APRIL 2021

In its 2020 AAAHC Quality Roadmap, the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care identifies credentialing, privileging and peer review as high-deficiency standards for ASCs.

Optimize Staffing Costs

Lessen volume unpredictability, cross-train and drive decisions with data

BY ROBERT KURTZ | APRIL 2021

With staff wages one of the top expenses for Mohawk Valley Endoscopy Center in Utica, New York, Thomas P. Fiorentino, the ASC's chief financial officer, keeps a watchful eye on them.

Expect Continued Supply Chain Disruption

Educate yourself, keep your ear to the ground and stay prepared for change

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MARCH 2021

Add the ASC supply chain to the list of the pieces of the US healthcare system that will be dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for years to come.

Dos and Don’ts of Cardiology in the ASC Setting

Know the rules and keep an eye on staffing and payers

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MARCH 2021

While optimistic about the future of cardiology in ASCs, Janet Dees cautions about rushing to bring in too many cases within a specialty that is in its infancy in the ASC setting.

Technologies ASCs Need to Add Cardiology

Administrators weigh in

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MARCH 2021

Innovative technology drew Traci Kubaiko to the cardiology specialty more than 20 years ago when she started working in a hospital heart catheterization lab.

Benchmark to Meet Accreditation Requirements, Improve Operations

Review Medicare’s interpretive guidelines, state licensure rules and your accreditation organization's standards

BY ROBERT KURTZ | FEBRUARY 2021

Reinforcing that your ASC is on par with like facilities. Identifying trends in need of improvement. Validating your commitment to the provision of high-quality care.

ASCA 2021 to Deliver Enhanced Virtual Experience

Add this must-not-miss spring event to your calendar

BY ROBERT KURTZ | FEBRUARY 2021

For the second consecutive year, ASCA's annual conference will be a virtual event. While the COVID- 19 pandemic will keep everyone physically apart again, ASCA is taking what it learned from hosting the ASCA 2020 Virtual Conference & Expo online to deliver an improved experience for attendees.

One World Surgery Needs Volunteer Consults

Physicians in the US who sign up would work with local physicians in Honduras and the Dominican Republic

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | FEBRUARY 2021

Like the rest of the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Honduras and the Dominican Republic (DR), the two countries where One World Surgery (OWS) sends its medical mission teams.

Benchmarking Pro Tips

Focus on key metrics, take action based on your results

BY ROBERT KURTZ | FEBRUARY 2021

Overlooking critical benchmarks can cause service quality to falter, physicians to become disgruntled and patients to be unhappy, says Nan Finch, CASC, president of Diverse Health Consulting in Austin, Texas.

2021 In Light of the Pandemic

Industry experts share tips and strategies to make the best of what we have

JANUARY 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc around the world in 2020 and threw all forecasts and projections out the window. As the country continues to respond, ASCs can keep rolling with the changes, delivering high-quality, lower-cost services to their community, and sharing their story with their patients.

Rethink Your Approach to Culture of Safety

Crises like the COVID-19 pandemic test an organization’s habits and help reshape and improve it

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JANUARY 2021

In 2018, staff at Wichita Falls Endoscopy Center in Wichita Falls, Texas, completed the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ) Ambulatory Surgery Center Survey on Patient Safety Culture. This served as the foundation for the ASC's development of a culture of safety, says Jeremy Watkins, RN, clinical manager.

Keeping Staff Safe, Motivated and Rewarded in the New Normal

Show appreciation, support work-life balance and work as a team

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JANUARY 2021

There is no hesitation in Cynthia Armistead's voice when speaking about the challenges of confronting the COVID-19 pandemic. “I have worked in healthcare for about 40 years," she says. “I have never navigated something as unusual and stressful.”

How to Prepare for 2021

Q&A with ASCA Board member Stuart Simon, MD

JANUARY 2021

Stuart Simon, MD, is the medical director for United Surgical Partners International (USPI) in Dallas, Texas, which owns and operates more than 400 ambulatory facilities. He is a practicing anesthesiologist and chairman of the department of anesthesiology at North Central Surgical Center in Dallas, Texas, and serves on ASCA's Board of Directors.

Marketing Your ASC in the COVID-19 Era

Play up your strengths, share your new safety precautions with patients

BY ROBERT KURTZ | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020

For an ASC to be successful, its marketing must be successful, says Melissa Hermanson, RN, CASC, administrator of Ambulatory Care Center in Vineland, New Jersey.

Collaboration Key to Infection Prevention

Responsibilities can be divvied up among team members

BY ROBERT KURTZ | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic further put into focus that preventing infections depends upon everyone working in an ASC, says Debra Yoder, RN, director of clinical operations and corporate compliance officer for Surgical Management Professionals in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Improve ASC Outcomes Through Environmental Hygiene

Assemble a multidisciplinary team, follow evidence-based guidelines and use the right tools

BY ROBERT KURTZ | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020

Rockford Ambulatory Surgery Center in Rockford, Illinois, assumes every patient who walks in the door to be potentially infectious. That mentality, says Gina Hartman, RN, CASC, the ASC’s director of perioperative services, helps keep staff focused on effectively cleaning any surface that might come into contact with patients.

Building an Ophthalmic ASC

Hire an experienced consulting firm, develop a pro forma and be creative in your design decisions

BY ROBERT KURTZ | OCTOBER 2020

Most of John Blanck’s work as senior vice president of operations for Surgery Partners in Kansas City, Missouri, focuses on ophthalmology, which he says is primed for steady growth.

Bridge Patient and Staff Social Distancing Gaps

Use the right technology, correctly

BY ROBERT KURTZ | OCTOBER 2020

Limiting close face-to-face contact with individuals not in your household is considered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be the most effective way of reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Calming Patients’ Nerves during a Pandemic

Ophthalmic ASCs go above and beyond their clinical duties to alleviate anxiety

BY ROBERT KURTZ | OCTOBER 2020

Surgical Eye Center in Greensboro, North Carolina, resumed surgery in early May following several weeks of suspended operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the weeks that followed, Clinical Director Carrie Nitz, RN, was not surprised to see patient cancellations increase.

Collaborating as Partners during a Pandemic

Communication, clinical alignment and resource allocation

BY ROBERT KURTZ | SEPTEMBER 2020

A pandemic was not something Raghu Reddy ever expected to confront as executive administrator of SurgCenter of Western Maryland in Cumberland, Maryland. Navigating COVID-19, however, has been easier thanks to support from UPMC Western Maryland, the hospital that jointly owns the ASC with local physicians, he says.

Disinfecting, Handling and Storing Endoscopes in the Time of Coronavirus

Follow CDC practices and recommendations from gastroenterology societies

BY ROBERT KURTZ | SEPTEMBER 2020

COVID-19 has not changed the importance of proper disinfection, handling and storage of endoscopes to ensure patient and staff safety. What the virus has done, says Shelley Allison, RN, director of nursing at EndoCenter in Covington, Louisiana, is further underscore it.

Managing Drug Supplies Effectively amidst COVID-19

Communicate, be aware of EUAs and create a policy

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | SEPTEMBER 2020

Complications surrounding drug shortages stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic continue to emerge.

GI Revenue Cycle Metrics: Acting on Your Data

Q&A with Nader Samii

INTERVIEWED BY ROBERT KURTZ | SEPTEMBER 2020

Nader Samii, the chief executive officer of National Medical Billing Services in St. Louis, Missouri, has guided the company into its position as one of the largest and most reputable revenue cycle management companies in the ASC market.

Protect Operational Efficiency in the New Normal

COVID-19 protocols could affect patient flow, timing

BY ROBERT KURTZ | AUGUST 2020

Many factors contribute to the Buffalo Ambulatory Surgery Center’s success, but few might be more important than ensuring operational efficiency, says Christina Norman, RN, administrator of the center in Cheektowaga, New York.

ASCs Adjust to Pandemic Protocols

Updated guidelines involve more focus on infection control

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | AUGUST 2020

As the country comes out of the COVID-19 lockdown, elective surgeries have resumed in most states.

Help Patients Better Understand Their Expenses

Educate up-front and be transparent about the bills they will receive

BY ROBERT KURTZ | AUGUST 2020

The data is in and it shows Americans struggling to understand their health coverage.

Delivering Personalized Patient Communication

Create a balance between in-person and electronic interactions

BY ROBERT KURTZ | AUGUST 2020

Thanks to technological advances, ASCs can now choose from multiple ways to communicate with patients.

Staying Current with ANSI/AAMI ST79

What ASCs need to know

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JUNE-JULY 2020

When Clay Landry, director of central sterile for Saratoga Surgery Center in Saratoga Springs, New York, began working in sterile processing in the late 1970s, standards for reprocessing equipment were few and far between. “What we did back then was basically the best we could without guidance or technology.”

FDA Updates Extended Use Drugs List to Meet COVID-19 Demands

Protocols ASCs need to put in place to use these medications safely and avoid citations

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | JUNE-JULY 2020

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent demand for certain medications, the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) updated its list of extended-use drugs on April 3. The updated list now includes 569 drugs that may be used beyond the manufacturer’s labeled expiration date.

Joining Forces Against COVID-19 Pandemic

ASCs nationwide come together to help their communities

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | JUNE-JULY 2020

As COVID-19 continues to ravage the US, healthcare workers across the country face shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical gear needed to treat patients. At press time, many surgery centers have shut down temporarily in compliance with their governors’ stay-at-home orders.

Green Your OR

Recycle, use eco-friendly products and identify a sustainability champion in your center

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JUNE-JULY 2020

An operating room (OR) produces a lot of waste. But waste can create opportunity.

Embrace Change

Add new procedures, technology to your ASC

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JUNE-JULY 2020

By embracing clinical innovation, ASCs can continue to be the preferred site for outpatient surgery among patients and physicians. “We should not sit back and only perform those procedures already coming our way,” says Alfonso del Granado, CASC, administrator of Covenant High Plains Surgery Center in Lubbock, Texas.

Wish I Knew

Factors to consider before opening an ASC

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MAY 2020

Gwen Donithan, RN, Laurri Wallace and Teresa Burwell, RN, have one thing in common: Each helped open a new surgery center.

Build a Successful Spine Surgery Team

Rely on strong surgeon leaders and carefully trained staff

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MAY 2020

Unity Surgical Center in Lafayette, Indiana, opened in 2001, with its spine surgery program already in place. That program continues to thrive, says spine surgeon Mario Brkaric, MD, who joined the ASC in 2006. The key to its success, he adds, is its team.

Get Paid on Time, Every Time

Ways to hold payers accountable

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MAY 2020

Submitting clean claims to payers in a timely manner does not ensure getting paid appropriately. The complicated nature of insurance leaves a lot of potential for errors.

After Your Physician Leaves

Do you have a strong infrastructure and potential leads in the bag to eat the loss?

BY ROBERT KURTZ | APRIL 2020

In 2018, two high-volume orthopedic surgeons left CenterOne Surgery Center in Jacksonville, Florida, to pursue a new endeavor. While the loss was not crippling, says Executive Director Robert Haen, their unexpected departure left a challenging void.

Recruit and Retain Top Staff

Hire candidates who fit, offer fair compensation and professional development opportunities

BY ROBERT KURTZ | APRIL 2020

When considering the importance of building and maintaining a strong staff, a quote attributed to Douglas Conant comes to mind, says Meg Wiebel, RN, CASC, administrative director of Crow Valley Surgery Center in Bettendorf, Iowa. “He said, ‘To win in the marketplace, we must win in the workplace,’” Wiebel says.

Improving Productivity in ASCs

Employee satisfaction is key

BY ROBERT KURTZ | APRIL 2020

When ASC staff are productive, the positive effects can be wide-reaching: more efficient care that results in patients spending less time in the ASC; more satisfied physicians who appreciate efforts to help them provide high-quality care at a low cost; and more engaged staff as a result of seeing how their work directly affects the ASC’s performance.

Discover the Magic of ASCA 2020

Come to Orlando this May for the ASC event of the year

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MARCH 2020

Experience the magic of being surrounded by thousands of your colleagues, just miles from Disney World at the largest ASC conference of the year. Register now for the ASCA 2020 Conference & Expo, May 13–16, at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida. This year’s conference will run concurrently with SAMBA 2020, the annual meeting of the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Bring Non-Investor Physicians into Your ASC

Help surgeons understand why your ASC is a great choice

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MARCH 2020

In an optimal situation, any opening in an ASC’s surgical schedule would be filled by an investor physician. Often, that scenario is just wishful thinking, says John Piccione, CASC, a regional director for Surgery Partners based in Lake Worth, Florida.

Managing Staff Following an Adverse Event

Eliminate blame; provide support

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MARCH 2020

To be a good provider, says Cori Prisco, RN, you must be able to confidently act on your instinct and experience. This can be difficult for staff members following an adverse event.

Choose Meaningful QAPI Topics

Leverage your findings and re-evaluate

BY ROBERT KURTZ | FEBRUARY 2020

Completing a quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) project can take considerable time and effort. As long as your ASC is making that kind of investment, some who have managed QAPI studies in the past advise, make sure that your project goes beyond just meeting the requirements and provides real benefits to your facility.

Overcome the Top Coding Challenges

Educate, perform audits and ask questions

BY ROBERT KURTZ | FEBRUARY 2020

Irina Morrow knows that a lot is riding on her ability to consistently code her ASC’s procedures correctly.

Use Quality Metrics to Negotiate Contracts

Share patient satisfaction ratings, hospital transfer data and other quantifiable measures

BY ROBERT KURTZ | FEBRUARY 2020

For payers on the fence about whether to provide your ASC with a new or improved managed care contract, sharing quality data could be what you need to swing the tide in your favor.

What's in Store for 2020?

Opportunities and challenges facing the ASC industry

JANUARY 2020

Industry professionals weigh in on the key trends.

Cardiology Moves into the ASC Setting

The time is ripe for surgery centers to do more heart procedures

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JANUARY 2020

Still a relatively new specialty for ASCs, cardiology is quickly cementing itself as one of the most promising.

Malignant Hyperthermia Preparation for ASCs

Help is available on the MHAUS website

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JANUARY 2020

Fiona Stephan, RN, considers her ASC—Vanguard Surgical Center in Maywood, New Jersey—fortunate. It has never experienced a malignant hyperthermia (MH) event.

Managing the Patient Experience

Plan for all facets of the encounter, including family members’ experiences

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JANUARY 2020

While your ASC will likely never be mistaken for Disney World, strive to provide the same level of attention and service that helps attract millions of people to the resort every year, advises Susan Burkett, RN, senior director of clinical services with Amsurg in Nashville, Tennessee.

How to Write an Emergency Preparedness Plan

Involve your team, learn about the requirements, and make it a living tool

BY ROBERT KURTZ | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

If your ASC’s primary motivation for developing an emergency preparedness plan is compliance with regulatory requirements, that is acceptable, says Mary Ann Gellenbeck, senior vice president of implementation services for Physicians Endoscopy in Jamison, Pennsylvania.

Untapped Potential: Urology in the Surgery Center Setting

One-on-one with an ASC urologist

INTERVIEWED BY ROBERT KURTZ | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

Brad Lerner, MD, CASC, is the medical director of Summit ASC, the surgery center division of Chesapeake Urology Associates in Baltimore, Maryland. Summit ASC comprises 16 single-specialty urology ASCs located throughout Maryland.

Conduct a Hazard Vulnerability Analysis

CMS requires it

BY ROBERT KURTZ | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2019

You cannot control when your ASC might encounter a natural or man-made hazard. You can, however, control your readiness to tackle those hazards.

Treating Violent Patients

Adequate preparation and response required

BY ROBERT KURTZ | OCTOBER 2019

Stephanie Rodriguez, RN, has been punched, kicked and bitten. All these incidents occurred while she was working in the medical intensive care unit and emergency department at a hospital.

Medical Tourism in ASCs

Marketing to patients outside your community

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | OCTOBER 2019

Patient interest in medical tourism, a small but growing trend in the ASC setting, shows an uptick. “Patients [are] willing to travel short distances to receive care from a provider that has a contract for a bundled transparent rate for surgery,” says Christopher D. Stine, bundled payments & corporate compliance officer at Regent Surgical Health in Westchester, Illinois.

Set Up a Compliant Patient Transportation Service

Stay within a new safe harbor and avoid federal anti-kickback violations

BY ROBERT KURTZ | OCTOBER 2019

Tri-State Centers for Sight Surgery Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, relies on a transportation service to bring many of its patients to and from the ASC. About 20 percent use the service, says Deborah Bray, RN, the ASC’s director.

ASC Valuation Multiples

Market collaboration on the rise

BY ROBERT KURTZ | OCTOBER 2019

The ASC industry is a hotbed of transaction activity. That activity is helping to drive up the value of facilities and likely spurring the development of new centers.

Marijuana and Medication Reconciliation

Be sure to capture all the details of your patients’ use

BY ROBERT KURTZ | OCTOBER 2019

In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes. Since then, the number of states where the drug has been legalized for medical and/or recreational purposes has increased.

Design Considerations for an ASC

Choose an ASC architect and work closely with your state health department and full team

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | SEPTEMBER 2019

When Key Whitman Surgery Center in Dallas, Texas, had the option of either renovating or building new, it decided to opt for the latter and insisted on an experienced healthcare architect who specialized in ophthalmology.

Role of HVAC in Infection Prevention

Implement a system that monitors and logs temperature, humidity and pressure of your unit

BY ROBERT KURTZ | SEPTEMBER 2019

While most components of an ASC’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system are typically out of sight, they should never be out of mind. A properly functioning HVAC system is vital to keeping patients safe, says Donald Smith, vice president of Agnew Associates in Austin, Texas.

Improve Outcomes Through Environmental Hygiene

Follow the rules, educate staff and create checklists

BY ROBERT KURTZ | SEPTEMBER 2019

Months. That is how long the likes of Clostridium difficile, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus and many other harmful pathogens can survive on surfaces within an ASC. How can an ASC keep its patients safe?

Protect Your ASC From Embezzlement

Establish internal controls, use an external accountant and conduct regular audits

BY ROBERT KURTZ | SEPTEMBER 2019

Scrubs. Gloves. Scalpels. Drapes. A rowboat. Which of these is not like the others?

Trends in ASC Design

Consider these practical, cost-cutting ideas

INTERVIEWED BY ROBERT KURTZ | SEPTEMBER 2019

Michael Gordon is founder and president of Gordon & Associates in Mount Dora, Florida.

Clinical Trends in ASC Ophthalmology

‘Dropless’ approach, bi-lateral, same-day sequential cataract surgery and Zepto system are improving the quality of eye surgery

BY ROBERT KURTZ | AUGUST 2019

Ophthalmology procedures continue to migrate out of hospitals and into ASCs, thanks to new clinical developments.

How to Collect Workers’ Compensation Effectively

Good relationship with adjusters is key

BY ROBERT KURTZ | AUGUST 2019

The good news: Workers’ compensation collections can be easy. The bad news: There are several obstacles that can make a simple experience difficult.

Trends in ASC Robotics

The market appears primed to experience rapid growth

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JUNE-JULY 2019

In early January, Sovereign Healthcare’s North Valley Surgery Center received its robot. Less than a week later, the Scottsdale, Arizona, ASC performed its first cases using the orthopedic surgical system. Andrea Lessner, RN, North Valley’s outpatient total joint coordinator, expects the technology to help the ASC achieve its objective of doubling the number of joint replacement procedures performed this year compared to 2018.

Introduce and Grow a Robotics Program

Research, plan and get physician buy-in before you act

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JUNE-JULY 2019

Thinking about starting a robotics program in your ASC? The time is now, says Jess Lonner, MD, orthopedic surgeon and member of Rothman Orthopaedic Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Lonner has used robotics technology to perform surgery in multiple outpatient settings, including an ASC.

‘The Way We Work Together’

Copper Ridge Surgery Center shares its patient care initiative story

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JUNE-JULY 2019

Walk around Copper Ridge Surgery Center in Traverse City, Michigan, and you will soon spot the “infinity loop.” Looking like an angled 8 with multi-colored dots on and around it, the infinity loop identifies every manner—direct or indirect—in which the ASC and its team members interact with patients.

Accommodating Complex Ortho Cases

Focus on fundamentals and communicate

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MAY 2019

Total hip. Total knee. Partial knee. Total shoulder. Lumbar fusion. Lumbar laminectomy. Cervical disc replacement. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Extreme lateral interbody fusion.

Improve Outcomes in TJRs

Patient engagement and education are critical

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MAY 2019

Total joint replacement in an ASC was once a far-fetched idea, but now surgeons are performing these procedures safely in surgery centers every day.

Wanted: ASC Coders

How to recruit and retain top-notch staff

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MAY 2019

In an industry that undergoes frequent changes, Dianne (Wallace) Appleby, RN, found comfort in a constant: her ASC’s coder.

Advocacy Makes a Difference

Participate in ASCA’s 2019 National Advocacy Day

BY DANIELLE KASTER | APRIL 2019

The ASC community had one of its most successful legislative and regulatory years in 2018.

Optimize Your Billing Workflows

Collect upfront and make technology your friend

BY ROBERT KURTZ | APRIL 2019

Sara Ebert knows that nothing good can come from inefficiencies creeping into her ASC’s billing workflows.

Know Your Representatives

These members of Congress could make a difference to your ASC

BY JEFF EVANS | APRIL 2019

As the final year of this decade, 2019 brings with it a new Congress and plenty of fresh, and many familiar, faces on Capitol Hill. As a result of last November’s election, the US House of Representatives is now under a Democratic majority and the US Senate is operating with a larger Republican majority than in 2018.

Reduce Overhead Costs

Evaluate expenses, ask for better rates and verify billings

BY ROBERT KURTZ | APRIL 2019

Improving your ASC’s bottom line does not necessarily require adding new procedures, physicians or specialties. Taking a closer look at some of the services and products your ASC is already paying for might be all you need to do.

Why I Advocate

ASC community members share their thoughts

BY ROBERT KURTZ | APRIL 2019

ASCA would like to recognize and thank all the individuals who have participated in ASCA’s advocacy opportunities, including attending National Advocacy Day, hosting a facility tour and writing a letter to Congress.

ASCA 2019 Heads to Nashville

Join ASCA in Music City for education, networking and Honky Tonkin’

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MARCH 2019

Polish your rhinestones, put on your Stetson and join thousands of your colleagues in Nashville, Tennessee, for the largest ASC meeting of the year, the ASCA 2019 Conference & Expo, May 15–18.

Explore New Revenue Sources in GI

Consider new procedures, ancillary services and payment models

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MARCH 2019

Given the market trajectory, it might be time for GI ASCs to explore additional revenue sources.

Artificial Intelligence Could Transform Colonoscopy

Improved ADR, quality reporting and reimbursement likely to follow

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MARCH 2019

A few years ago, colonoscopes with three camera lenses entered the market. Until then, gastroenterologists who performed colonoscopies had relied for decades on a single-lens platform that provided a 180-degree field of view.

Growing Pains

Clinical innovations and business trends in ASC pain management

BY ROBERT KURTZ | FEBRUARY 2019

Pain management is ripe for significant growth in ASCs, says Ronnie Pennell, executive vice president and chief operating officer for PhyBus in Brentwood, Tennessee. To support this belief, he points to the history of gastroenterology (GI).

Overcome Resistance to Technology Adoption

Counter negativity with a proactive approach

BY ROBERT KURTZ | FEBRUARY 2019

ASCs that adopt new technology can expect some resistance to change, says Steve Campbell, chief operating officer of Oppor Infrastructure in Overland Park, Kansas.

Leverage RFID Technology

Monitor traffic, track documents and improve operations

BY ROBERT KURTZ | FEBRUARY 2019

In 2013, Christus Good Shepherd Surgery Center in Longview, Texas, was the site of a fatal stabbing that claimed the life of a nurse and visitor. In response, the ASC implemented numerous security measures, several of which relied upon a new technology: radiofrequency identification (RFID).

Looking Ahead at 2019

Key trends, challenges and opportunities

JANUARY 2019

Experts within the ASC community share their opinion on what is coming down the pipeline this year.

Assess and Improve Your Team’s Soft Skills

Consider these tips

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JANUARY 2019

For an ASC to thrive, its staff must possess essential “hard” skills or the knowledge and technical expertise necessary to fulfill specific job responsibilities. For staff to get their jobs done and done well, however, says Lori Post, director of human resources for Medical Consulting Group, in Springfield, Missouri, “soft” skills are equally important.

Build a Useful, Engaging Employee Handbook

Review, revise and recirculate it every year

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JANUARY 2019

When Sabrina Westbrook, administrator for Premier Surgical Center in Madison, Mississippi, was helping her ASC prepare to open in June 2018, she had a lot of work on her plate. Still, she made sure developing the surgery center’s employee handbook received the attention it needed. The importance of an employee handbook should not be underestimated,” she says.

Austin Bound

Join ASCA in January for the 2019 Winter Seminar

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018

ASCA’s 2019 Winter Seminar will take place January 17–19 in Austin, Texas. This is a smaller, more focused and intimate seminar than ASCA’s annual conference and offers Administrator Education Units (AEU), Certified Ambulatory Infection Preventionist (CAIP) and Certified Administrator Surgery Center (CASC) credits.

Renovate While You Operate

Pre-planning goes a long way

BY ROBERT KURTZ | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018

In August 2017, Mississippi Valley Surgery Center in Davenport, Iowa, began work on a multi-million-dollar addition and renovation. One year later, the project is going “relatively smoothly,” says Michael Patterson, RN, ASCA Board member and the ASC’s president and chief executive officer.

Avoid Materials Management Mistakes

Focus on communication and collaboration and catch potential problems early

BY ROBERT KURTZ | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018

A significant focus on ASC expense management is directed toward labor costs, and rightfully so, considering they are a large piece of a surgery center’s overall spend, says Stephanie Martin, CASC, vice president of operations, clinical, for Westchester, Illinois-based ASC management and development company Regent Surgical Health.

Renovate or Build New?

Points to consider before making a decision

BY ROBERT KURTZ | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018

Thinking about renovating your ASC? Do not be too quick to break down a wall; you may be wiser to break ground.

Staying on Top of Life Safety Code Compliance

Make it a continuous quality improvement process

BY ROBERT KURTZ | OCTOBER 2018

In her nine years as an ASC administrator, Angie Jimenez has come to appreciate the importance of complying with the Life Safety Code (LSC).

Playing by the Rules

One-on-one with an ASC director

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | OCTOBER 2018

Brenda Page, RN, director of Carolina Center for Specialty Surgery in Charlotte, North Carolina, discusses regulatory compliance and how her ASC consistently stays ahead of the curve. Carolina Center for Specialty Surgery performs minimally invasive spine procedures.

Prepare for IT Failure

Back up your data and develop a business continuity plan

BY ROBERT KURTZ | OCTOBER 2018

Even the most well-designed machines eventually fail. That includes the computers, servers and any other information technology (IT) in your ASC. Do you have a plan in place to respond when this day comes?

Partnering with a Managed Services Provider

Find one fitted to your ASC’s culture

BY ROBERT KURTZ | OCTOBER 2018

For ASCs struggling to manage their information technology (IT) while maintaining cyber security and compliance, partnering with a managed services provider (MSP) might provide needed relief.

Share the ASC Story

Join state associations and participate in benchmarking and National Advocacy Days

BY ROBERT KURTZ | SEPTEMBER 2018

A 2013 study of Medicare data by research scientists at the University of California-Berkeley found that in just four years, between 2008 and 2011, ASCs saved the Medicare program and its beneficiaries $7.5 billion. In 2011 alone, they report, the savings to Medicare and its beneficiaries totaled $2.3 billion.

Small ASCs Can Attract Buyers Too

Deliver strong management, diversified revenue and a balanced payer mix

BY ROBERT KURTZ | SEPTEMBER 2018

It is a good time to be a seller of an ASC, says Glenn Prives, an attorney at the law firm of McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney and Carpenter in Morristown, New Jersey. “Numerous parties are interested in acquiring well-run ASCs these days. Hospitals are shopping, private equity firms are hungry for deals and management companies are looking to expand their portfolios.”

Total Joints with Few Opioids

A company shares its successful pain management program

BY ROBERT KURTZ | SEPTEMBER 2018

When HealthCrest Surgical Partners, an Edmond, Oklahoma-based ASC management company, set out in 2017 to build comprehensive total joint replacement programs at its two Maryland ASCs the team decided it also wanted to develop a supporting opiate-sparing pain management program that delivered excellent pain relief. HealthCrest manages Frederick Surgical Center in Frederick, Maryland, and Cumberland Valley Surgery Center in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Motivate Generations, Boost Teamwork

Learn their communication styles and speak their language

AUGUST 2018

While the generation an individual is born into cannot paint the entire picture of a person’s attributes and attitudes, it can provide insight for ASC leaders, says Margaret Chappell, RN, CASC, senior vice president of operations for ASC management and development company Ambulatory Surgical Centers of America, based in Hanover, Massachusetts.

Complying with Emergency Preparedness Requirements

Stay on top of your paperwork, perform drills and collaborate with your local authorities

AUGUST 2018

Do not think of complying with emergency preparedness requirements as a regulatory burden, says Kris Kilgore, RN, administrative director at Surgical Care Center of Michigan in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Rather, think of it as an opportunity.

Enhance Your Team’s Productivity

Effective communication is key

AUGUST 2018

If you want your ASC to provide a better experience for its patients and physicians, focus on ways to get the most out of your staff, says Anne Hargrave-Thomas, chief executive officer of OakLeaf Surgical Hospital in Altoona, Wisconsin, and vice president of operations for Surgery Partners, a nationwide operator of surgical facilities based in Nashville, Tennessee.

Lending a Healing Hand

One World Surgery provides continuum of care to patients globally

JUNE-JULY 2018

One World Surgery in Chicago, Illinois, a nonprofit, partners with communities, health care providers and leaders in health care to deliver surgical services globally. ASCA has joined hands with the organization to help fulfill its mission. Below is an excerpt from an interview with Claire Cunningham, executive director of the organization.

Caring for Paralyzed Patients

Keep ADA requirements in mind

JUNE-JULY 2018

Paralyzed patients rarely come into Reading Hospital SurgiCenter at Spring Ridge in Reading, Pennsylvania, says Brandi Reisch, RN, a perioperative nurse at the ASC. That, however, does not mean the ASC is any less prepared to meet their needs.

Be Transparent

Post your ASC’s surgery prices online

JUNE-JULY 2018

Northwest ENT Surgery Center in Woodstock, Georgia, started observing a trend around 2011–2012, says Shatul Parikh, MD, otolaryngologist and medical director of the ASC.

“There was a change in the tide of the insurance market,” he says. “The Affordable Care Act marketplace and employers started offering higher deductible plans. When patients had a $250 or $500 deductible, surgery was affordable, regardless of the type of procedure. Then deductibles started to rise sharply.”

Hire CASC-Certified People

The credential is a seal of quality that demonstrates commitment to the ASC community, employers say

JUNE-JULY 2018

Different people take the Certified Administrator Surgery Center (CASC) examination for different reasons. ASC employers, however, say that to them the credential stands for one thing: validation that the credential- holder has mastered the skills that an ASC administrator needs.

Achieving OSHA Compliance in Eyewash Equipment

Consistency is key

JUNE-JULY 2018

Go looking for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations concerning eyewash stations and you might be surprised by what you find—or more likely what you will not find, says Cathy Montgomery, RN, CASC, president and managing partner of ASC and physician practice consulting firm Excellentia Advisory Group in St. Peters, Missouri.

Give Your Revenue Cycle a Tune-Up

Boost collections with transparency and up-front payments

MAY 2018

Depending on specialty, geography, payer mix and technology, the critical components of an ASC revenue cycle can change, says Lindsay Miller, executive vice president of operations at National Medical Billing Services in St. Louis, Missouri. “The ASC revenue cycle is nuanced because of its complexity in all of these areas. Each ASC faces its own set of challenges,” she says.

Grow Your Ophthalmic ASC

Expand, invest in new technology and market your brand

MAY 2018

The future of ophthalmology in ASCs looks bright, says George Violin, MD, board-certified ophthalmologist and one of the founding principals of ASC management and development company Ambulatory Surgical Centers of America, based in Hanover, Massachusetts.

Hold Your Payers Accountable

Educate yourself, develop relationships and act quickly on denials

MAY 2018

Whether your ASC is in- or out-of-network with a payer, payment denials, payment delays and underpayments are inevitable, says Brian Hufford, health care attorney with the law firm of Zuckerman Spaeder in New York, New York.

BASC Offers CAIP

The Certified Ambulatory Infection Preventionist credential is now available

MAY 2018

Infection preventionists in ASCs have their own certification program with the official launch of the Certified Ambulatory Infection Preventionist (CAIP) credential in January. This credential represents the culmination of extensive planning over several years, says Gina Throneberry, RN, CASC, executive director of the Board of Ambulatory Surgery Certification (BASC), which administers the CAIP exam.

Boston Calling

Expand your ASC network, knowledge and skills at ASCA 2018

APRIL 2018

Where can you find thousands of your peers, ASC industry leaders, cutting-edge technology, the Green Monster, chowder and duck tours all in one place? Boston, Massachusetts, of course, between April 11 and 14, when ASCA 2018 convenes at the Hynes Convention Center. Need some more reasons why you need to be at this meeting? Read on.

Surprise Medical Bills

How to protect your patients from paying out-of-network prices

APRIL 2018

Over the last several years, patients have been bearing the brunt of the first dollars coming off the top for their care, says Stanford Plavin, MD, ASCA Board member, an anesthesiologist and owner of consulting firm Technical Anesthesia Strategies and Solutions in Atlanta, Georgia. “As insurance plans have transitioned from low co-pays and low deductibles with good out-of-network benefits to higher co-pays and higher deductibles with little to no out-of-network benefits, patients are receiving what they perceive as inordinate bills. They might not have been previously privy to these bills, but they have essentially been around all along. That is where the ‘surprise’ comes in.”

Improve Your ASC’s Safety Culture

Know the current standards and follow established best practices

APRIL 2018

In 2014, the Andrews Institute Ambulatory Surgery Center in Gulf Breeze, Florida, conducted its first annual safety culture survey. It asked the employees to rank the ASC’s performance in areas including safety priority within the facility, safety as part of the ASC’s ongoing agenda, accountability, issues corrected, teamwork and training.

Use EMR to Make Billing Easier and More Accurate

Proceed with caution for best results

APRIL 2018

An electronic medical record (EMR) system can be a valuable tool in helping ASCs improve their billing performance, says Nanette Reintges, founder and principal consultant at Finance and Information Technology Performance Strategies, a consulting firm in Odenton, Maryland. It is vital, however, that use of the EMR does not streamline documentation to the point where potential problems can occur, she cautions.

ASC Advocacy Posts Gains

Groundwork laid for future success

MARCH 2018

Last year was an important year for the ASC community, as ASCA and its members achieved several beneficial policy changes through steadfast federal and state advocacy efforts. ASCA is optimistic about 2018 and, with its members, continues to work with Congress, regulatory agencies and state legislatures across the country to ensure ASCs are represented as policy decisions are made.

Make Your Voice Heard in the Capitol

ASCA’s Advocacy Fund helps make sure ASCs get fair legislation

MARCH 2018

ASCA created its Advocacy Fund as a way to solicit support from the ASC community and help communicate its legislative and regulatory agenda to federal and state policymakers. In particular, the fund was created to garner support from the many companies that sell products and services to ASCs and, therefore, benefit from a thriving ASC model.

Options for Post-Acute Services

Convalescent centers, skilled nursing facilities or home care?

MARCH 2018

As more complex procedures move to the outpatient setting, ASCs should be looking at where patients can receive the best post-acute recovery care, recommends Rebecca Craig, RN, CASC, ASCA Board president and chief executive officer of Harmony Surgery Center and Peak Surgical Management in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Participate in National Advocacy Day

Meet your members of Congress and advocate for your ASC in Washington, DC

MARCH 2018

More than 5,600 Medicare-certified ASCs provide care to patients across the US. Despite the expanded access to top-quality care that ASCs offer and the billions of dollars ASCs save patients, Medicare and private insurers each year, many elected officials do not fully understand the role ASCs play in health care.

Providing High-Acuity Orthopedic and Spine Cases

Strategies for success lie in pre- and postop care

FEBRUARY 2018

Arthritis and spine- and backrelated conditions in adults aged 18 and older will grow from 54 million in 2014 to 63 million by 2020 and 78 million by 2040, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Benchmark Beyond Requirements

Use external and internal parameters

FEBRUARY 2018

To say some ASCs do not enjoy the benchmarking process may be an understatement, says Carol Hiatt, RN, CASC, owner of Surgery Center Consulting Services in Ocala, Florida.

Participate in an Orthopedic Registry

Join the ‘transparency revolution’

FEBRUARY 2018

Health care consumers are at a disadvantage when it comes to researching their surgical options, says Thomas Wilson, chief executive officer of Monterey Peninsula Surgery Center in Monterey, California.

Provide Health Literacy to Patients

Share basic information and encourage questions

FEBRUARY 2018

ASC staff typically have limited time to spend with patients. This makes it imperative for staff to take advantage of every moment available to provide critical education to patients, says Missy Soliz, RN, quality and risk manager for Mississippi Valley Surgery Center and Mississippi Valley Endoscopy Center in Davenport, Iowa. “We must also do so without overwhelming them or talking over their heads,” she says.

Innovations in Outpatient Foot Surgery

More foot cases are migrating into the ASC setting

FEBRUARY 2018

Developments over the past few years have made this a particularly exciting time for outpatient foot surgery, says Scott VanValkenburg, MD, foot and ankle surgeon at Upstate Orthopedics Ambulatory Surgery Center in East Syracuse, New York.

Industry Forecast

Where ASCs stand in the business of health care

JANUARY 2018

Three experts share their view on the future of the ASC industry and what surgery centers can ep[axpect to see this year. While ASCs are poised to grow and evolve, especially, with more higher acuity cases moving into the ASC setting, cyber security remains a threat.

Prevent Surgical Fires

Reduce risk with understanding

JANUARY 2018

Although rare, surgical fires continue to occur in health care facilities. Their prevention must be an ongoing area of focus for ASCs, says Mark Bruley, vice president of accident and forensic investigation for ECRI Institute, a Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania-based organization that researches approaches to improving patient care.

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Be Clear on Medical Device Clearance Process

What ASCs need to know about FDA 510(k)

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2017

While ASCs have no role in the US Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) pre-market notification 510(k) medical device clearance process, it is imperative that they understand what the clearance does and does not include and cover, says Barbara Ann Harmer, president at MedAssist Consultants, a provider of medical and surgical consulting services based in Gainesville, Florida.

Get the Right Equipment at the Right Price

Plan ahead, take your time and do your research before making a purchase

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2017

Price is not the only factor to take into consideration when purchasing a new piece of equipment, but it is an important one, says Sherrie Landry, materials manager for Bayou Region Surgical Center in Thibodaux, Louisiana. “You really want to make sure you make the right purchase the first time.”

Improve Surgeon Satisfaction

Invest in OR technology

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2017

If you want to keep your surgeons happy, give them the surgical technology they want, says Brian Brown, regional vice president of operations for AmSurg Corporation, an ASC management and development company based in Nashville, Tennessee.

Battling the Opioid Crisis

Responsibilities of ASCs

OCTOBER 2017

The opioid crisis presents both a challenge and an opportunity for ASCs, says Amy Mowles, president and chief executive officer of Edgewater, Maryland-based Mowles Medical Practice Management, an ASC regulatory and development company.

Develop a Win–Win Cash-Pay Program

Know your procedure costs, set fees that ensure a reasonable margin and keep your costs low

OCTOBER 2017

Looking to grow your case volume while accommodating the needs and wishes of patients from within— and even potentially outside—your community? Consider offering a cashpay program, say ASC managers who are already offering this option.

Use Benchmarking to Drive QAPI

ASCs nationwide are using ASCA Benchmarking to improve their performance

OCTOBER 2017

The clinical staff at Lakeview Surgery Center in West Des Moines, Iowa, believed their patients always received their prophylactic intravenous (IV) antibiotics “on time,” recalls Kate Foreman, the ASC’s quality coordinator.

“On time,” according to the definition used in Medicare’s ASC Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program’s ASC-5: Prophylactic Intravenous (IV) Antibiotic Timing measure meant these antibiotics were initiated within one hour prior to the time of the initial surgical incision or the beginning of the procedure, or two hours prior if Vancomycin or fluoroquinolones were administered.

Changes in Accreditation

Three accrediting agencies explain upcoming modifications in their standards

SEPTEMBER 2017

The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care of Skokie, Illinois, the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities of Gurnee, Illinois, and The Joint Commission of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, described the upcoming changes in their standards for ASC Focus. Learn what to expect from your survey experience, the steps you need to take to stay on top of your game and how to comply with the changed standards.

Modifying to Achieve Interoperability

In the absence of CEHRT, ASCs adapt to reach clinical integration

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | SEPTEMBER 2017

If an ASC needs to participate in the continuity of care across a surgical episode, it needs to have an IT system that speaks to a physician partner’s electronic health records (EHR), says Roy Georgia, partner in the ASC Division of ICE Technologies, headquartered in Pella, Iowa. “Herein comes the need for interoperability,” he says. “With a lot of consolidation in the ASC software space, there is going to be more standardization and increased adoption of EHR products. With that, there will be a more specific need for interoperability.”

Invest in IT to Support Your ASC’s Growth

Look beyond the price tag, choose carefully

BY ROBERT KURTZ | SEPTEMBER 2017

Electronic medical records (EMR). Patient portals. Electronic scheduling. Patient tracking. Analytics.

ASCs, today, have their choice of many different types of information technology (IT) systems and many different suppliers. The IT systems have tremendous potential to help ASCs achieve their growth objectives, says Paul Davis, chief executive officer and president of Amblitel, a provider of ASC accounting and back-office services based in Louisville, Colorado.

Implement an Effective Peer Review Program

Stay on track with an ongoing, active process

BY ROBERT KURTZ | SEPTEMBER 2017

The primary focus for everything that happens at the Orthopedic Surgery Center of Orange County in Newport Beach, California, is patient safety, says Karen Ollila, the ASC’s operations manager. Peer review, she says, is a critically important part of that focus.

Use Information Technology Effectively

Staff training is key

BY ROBERT KURTZ | SEPTEMBER 2017

An ASC that wants to capitalize on its investment in information technology (IT) has to invest in training staff to operate the new system, says Matt Petty, senior vice president of IT for Surgery Partners, a nationwide operator of surgical facilities based in Nashville, Tennessee.

Know Your State’s Nursing Scope of Practice Definitions

Educate yourself to avoid adverse outcomes and litigation

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | AUGUST 2017

The term “scope of practice” has different definitions in policy and professional documents, which is why it is critical to know how your state’s regulations define the term, says Debra Stinchcomb, RN, CASC, consultant with Progressive Surgical Solutions in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Creative Staffing Strategies for Highest Efficiency

Adaptability and flexibility play key roles

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | AUGUST 2017

Staffing optimally to achieve the greatest productivity while keeping your staff happy can be challenging. Administrators at three different ASCs share their secrets to success.

Recruiting and Retaining Physicians

Develop a long-term plan, be responsive to your doctors’ needs and make sure staff is happy

BY ROBERT KURTZ | AUGUST 2017

Between November 2014, when Jennifer Morris became the administrator of Surgicare of Wichita in Wichita, Kansas, and May 2017, the ASC added 26 physicians across seven specialties. She says that part of the reason for that is because she is always working on physician recruitment since it is vital to sustaining an ASC.

Cost Savings in Human Resources

Hire smart, cross-train and keep staff morale high

BY ROBERT KURTZ | AUGUST 2017

When Sarah Malaniak, CASC, was brought on as administrator for the Ambulatory Center for Endoscopy in North Bergen, New Jersey, one of her first assignments was to tackle the ASC’s overtime problem.

Getting Staff to Buy Into Change

Communicate clearly, gain staff support and hold employees accountable

BY ROBERT KURTZ | AUGUST 2017

Gaining staff support is essential for a change to achieve its desired outcome, says Don Bartnick, chief executive officer of Annapolis Surgery Center in Annapolis, Maryland, and Maryland Eye Surgery Center in Prince Frederick, Maryland.

Medication Management Hot Spots

Accreditation standards that can challenge ASCs

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | JUNE-JULY 2017

When The Joint Commission looked at the 10 most challenging accreditation guidelines for ASCs in 2016, it found that three of the 10 were related to medication management.

Working with Compounding Pharmacies

Check accreditation, state registration and licensure, and FDA track record

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JUNE-JULY 2017

Compounding pharmacies can play an important role in supplying ASCs with medications they need to provide patient care, says Sharon Johnson, RN, CASC, senior vice president of operations for ASC management and development company Ambulatory Surgical Centers of America, based in Hanover, Massachusetts.

Winning Over Patients through Engagement

Participation leads to better outcomes

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JUNE-JULY 2017

Montgomery Surgical Center in Montgomery, Alabama, considers patient engagement to be a vital component for a successful surgical experience, says Linda Westhoff, RN, CASC, the ASC’s administrator.

Screening Colonoscopy Program Reaps Rewards

‘Scopes for Hope’ at Surgery Center of Farmington sees early success

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JUNE-JULY 2017

Last year was a difficult year for the gastroenterology service line at the Surgery Center of Farmington in Farmington, Missouri, says Cindy Young, RN, CASC, the ASC’s administrative director. After starting the year with five gastroenterology physicians, only one remained at the end.

Virtual Marketing

How to create and maintain a social media site

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | MAY 2017

More than 3 billion people use the Internet and more than 2 billion of those users have active social media accounts, according to an August 2016 Hootsuite column. Given the widespread use, social media is no longer optional for businesses, says Kelly David, director of marketing and public relations at Spectrum Medical Group in Portland, Maine. “The more we become patient and customer focused, the more important a tool social media becomes to connect.”

ASCA 2017 Convenes in Washington, DC, this Month

Take advantage of more than 60 educational sessions and advocate for your ASC

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MAY 2017

At a time when Washington, DC, is under the world’s microscope, it seems fitting that ASCA is bringing the ASC community into the heart of the action at ASCA 2017, May 3–6, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.

“Attending an ASCA meeting continues to be an unparalleled opportunity for all attendees, regardless if it is your initial meeting or your 25th,” says Jo Vinson, CASC, director of integration management for Deerfield, Illinois- based Surgical Care Affiliates.

Protecting Patient Information

Train staff to maintain data security and privacy

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MAY 2017

Even in an ASC with great information technology infrastructure, human error can open the door for cyber criminals, says Tracy Rubino, privacy officer of ambulatory surgery centers for not-for-profit health system Sutter Health in Sacramento, California. In fact, Verizon’s 2016 Data Breach Investigations Report cites human error as one of the leading causes of health care cyber security incidents.

Cyber Insurance and Your ASC

Reduce your risk and the cost of protection

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MAY 2017

ASCs need to prepare for the possibility of a data breach and be ready to respond if it happens, says Michael Wells, chairman of Hylant of Indianapolis, an insurance brokerage and risk management solutions provider in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Navigating Coding Modifiers

What ASCs need to be on the lookout for

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | APRIL 2017

Coding modifiers—usually two digits—can increase or decrease reimbursement and cause claims not to be paid properly or denied if used incorrectly or not used when necessary. “Modifiers are added to the main procedure code to signify that the procedure has been altered by a distinct factor,” says Stephanie Ellis, RN, president of Ellis Medical Consulting Inc. in Franklin, Tennessee. “Modifiers are accepted by most payers.”

Using Lean Six Sigma

Streamline production, eliminate waste and improve efficiency

BY ROBERT KURTZ | APRIL 2017

For an ASC striving to bring about improvements throughout the facility, applying Lean Six Sigma principles can be an effective method to achieve desired results, says Erin Huston, RN, the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt continuous improvement specialist for The Urology Group and its ASC, The Urology Center, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Value-Based Care in Today’s ASC Market

Surgery centers should seize the opportunity

BY ROBERT KURTZ | APRIL 2017

Regardless of the changes that will be made to the US health care system in the coming years, at least one thing seems to be certain, says Gregory Horner, MD: Value-based care is here to stay. Horner, an ASCA Board member, works as a managing partner at HealthPoint Ambulatory Surgery Company, an ASC management and development company in Newbury Park, California.

ASCs and Post-Acute Services

Skilled nursing facilities would work with surgery centers

BY ROBERT KURTZ | APRIL 2017

Andy Whitener is the chief executive officer and administrator of Gainesville Surgery Center in Gainesville, Georgia, an affiliate of Surgical Care Affiliates. Write him at Andy.Whitener@SCASurgery.com.

Stay on Top of Water Quality

Avoid contaminants with careful testing and vigilance

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MARCH 2017

What you do not know about your ASC’s water could harm patients and damage devices, says Barbara Ann Harmer, RN, director of clinical services for Innovative Sterilization Technologies in Dayton, Ohio, a company that developed and markets a sealed sterilization container system.

Tips on Implant and Supply Management

Reduce costs, increase value, maintain choice

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | MARCH 2017

Knowledge is power when it comes to getting a good price on implants, says Tim Burney, founder and chief executive officer of Advantien in Greenwood Village, Colorado. “You need to know the market and your alternatives,” he says. “Do not accept that you cannot get the same price as the hospitals. You can, believe me, you can.”

Lessons Learned Operating ASCs in Low-Income Areas

Be cognizant of financial obstacles and cultural differences

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | MARCH 2017

Running an ASC in a low-income area is fraught with risks, delays in payment, demands from the Department of Health and the fire department, and other adverse factors, says Roy Bejarano, president of Frontier Healthcare in New York, New York. “It is a fragile and delicate situation,” he says. “ASCs, however, are the smarter health care option for low-income areas because they offer high-quality care at a lower cost than hospitals and are more specialized than hospitals.”

Continuity of Operations Planning in ASCs

Effective communication, drills and working with your local organizations are key

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MARCH 2017

In a disaster, either natural or manmade, continuity of operations planning helps an ASC protect and preserve its critical infrastructure, says Lynne Bergero, project director for the division of health care quality evaluation at The Joint Commission in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois.

Calculate Your ASC’s OR Cost Per Minute

ASCs that do can reduce expenses and improve contracts

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MARCH 2017

Do you know what it costs when patients are in your ASC’s operating room (OR), asks Ann Geier, RN, CASC, chief nursing officer for SourceMed, a Birmingham, Alabama-based provider of software and ASC advisory services for ASCs and other organizations. Since the OR is where an ASC generates revenue, she says, understanding the costs incurred there is an essential management tool for an ASC.

Join ASCA on Capitol Hill

Sign up for National Advocacy Day when you register for ASCA 201

BY DANIELLE KASTER | FEBRUARY 2017

As rising costs, inadequate payment updates and the steady growth of hospital-employed physicians continue to threaten ASCs, ASCA’s ongoing efforts to promote the interests of the ASC community before the legislative and regulatory bodies that set ASC policies grow increasingly important. The success of ASCA’s advocacy efforts, however, relies on the participation of everyone in the ASC community.

Benchmark Your Revenue Cycle

Gauge the health of your ASC’s collections, billing processes and contracts

BY ROBERT KURTZ | FEBRUARY 2017

If you do not know how your ASC’s revenue cycle is performing, you will not know how to improve it says Crystal Ewing, manager of data integrity for ZirMed, a provider of claims management solutions based in Louisville, Kentucky.

In the Pipeline

ASCA’s 2017 advocacy agenda

BY KRISTIN MURPHY AND KARA NEWBURY | FEBRUARY 2017

In 2017, ASCA will be working on many levels with multiple regulatory agencies and Congress to ensure that ASCs are at the table and in the conversation when federal policy decisions that affect surgery centers are made.

ASCA Lobbies for Your ASC

Meet the Government Affairs team

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | FEBRUARY 2017

ASCA’s Government Affairs Department leads ASCA’s efforts to promote the interests of the ASC community before federal and state legislative, regulatory and executive agencies. Working with state ASC associations and industry leaders, the department staff identify and analyze critical health policy issues concerning ASCs and act to enhance and protect each ASC’s ability to continue providing high-quality patient care.

Achieving and Sustaining a Culture of Patient-Centric Care

Government support continues to grow

BY ROBERT KURTZ | FEBRUARY 2017

The culture that an ASC is aiming for doesn’t just develop naturally, says Jo Ellen Braden, RN, CASC, quality assurance performance improvement (QAPI) coordinator at Taylor Station Surgical Center in Columbus, Ohio. It requires hard work and commitment.

ASCAPAC Thanks Its Supporters

These contributions ensure that the ASC message is heard in Congress

BY DANIELLE KASTER | FEBRUARY 2017

ASCAPAC is the only political action committee in Washington, DC, that represents the interests of the entire ASC community. Through the contributions it receives, ASCAPAC helps ensure that the policymakers who support and understand the importance of the ASC delivery model remain in Congress.

Managing Drug Shortages

As FDA requirements changed, manufacturing costs escalated, production decreased and needs increased

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | JANUARY 2017

Drug shortages continue to be a challenge for ASCs as they impact providers with little or no warning and potentially threaten patient safety, says Norman Tomaka, clinical consultant pharmacist in Melbourne, Florida.

Changing Hospital Model and Its Impact on ASCs

The numbers of community hospitals and ASCs are going in different directions

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JANUARY 2017

It is a good time to own an ASC, says Mark Weiss, an attorney with The Mark F. Weiss Law Firm, which has offices in California and Texas.

“The health care landscape is changing quickly, and ASCs look to be positioned for success,” says Weiss, the author of The Impending Death of Hospitals: Why You Must Plan Your Medical Practice’s Survival and other health care books. “The evolving hospital model is creating a growing pool of potential opportunities for surgery centers.”

Reversing the National Trend of Opioid-Related Overdoses

What ASCs can do

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JANUARY 2017

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more people died from drug overdoses in 2014 than any other year on record (www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/ epidemic/index.html). A majority of drug overdose deaths—more than 60 percent—involve an opioid. And nearly 80 Americans die daily from an opioid overdose.

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Outcomes of Spine Surgery in an ASC

Patient selection and tracking metrics under bundled care

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

The number of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgeries, one of the most common spine procedures performed in the US today, continues to rise as a result of the growing elderly population in the country, says Anthony L. Asher, MD, ASCA Board member, director of the Neuroscience Institute at Carolinas HealthCare System and a senior partner at Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Bundle Up

Will the bundled payment model work for ASCs?

COMPILED BY SAHELY MUKERJI | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

The federal government has initiated broad adoption of bundled payment methodologies in inpatient settings including the Bundled Payment for Care Improvement (BPCI) initiative and, more recently, the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) regulations. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) more than 500 hospitals now participate in these programs.

Protect Your ASC from a Ransomware Attack

Prevention and backups are the best defense

BY ROBERT KURTZ | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

Steven Sanchez, network administrator and facilities manager for Pend Oreille Surgery Center in Ponderay, Idaho, says ransomware is an issue of growing concern for his ASC. He points to the increasing number of organizations affected by this cybersecurity threat.

The Rules of Medication Preparation

Train, monitor and audit

BY ROBERT KURTZ | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

Rancho Bernardo Surgery Center makes medication preparation a constant area of focus, says Stephanie McIntosh, RN, administrator for the San Diego, California-based ASC. “Keeping it at the forefront of everyone’s mind is what keeps us vigilant with following regulations and proper practices.”

Social Media and Your ASC

Avoid eight common mistakes

BY ROBERT KURTZ | NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2016

Social media usage has jumped nearly tenfold from 7 percent in 2005 when the Pew Research Center began tracking social media usage to 65 percent in 2015, according to an October 2015 Pew Research report. Consequently, there is increasing pressure on ASCs to develop an online presence, says Charlie Leonard, a public affairs adviser based in Santa Barbara, California.

Power in Numbers

Work with your local authorities when creating your emergency preparedness plan

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | OCTOBER 2016

For Chris Bland, director of safety and security at Good Shepherd Medical Center and Good Shepherd Ambulatory Surgery Center in Longview, Texas, the definition of a disaster is when the need outweighs the resources.

“When you have an emergency or a natural disaster, your resources are overwhelmed and you need more resources than you have,” he says. “So you need help from your local police department, fire department and all other emergency responders.” Given that, it is in an ASC’s best interest to establish good relations with local authorities before disaster strikes, he says.

Is Your ASC Equipped to Respond to Disasters?

Make emergency preparedness a top priority in your surgery center

BY ROBERT KURTZ | OCTOBER 2016

For most ASCs, it is not a matter of if, but when they will face a disaster, says Anne Haddix, the disaster preparedness coordinator for the Indiana Federation of Ambulatory Surgical Centers and chief executive officer of Southwest Surgical Suites in Fort Wayne, Indiana. ASCs must ensure they are effectively prepared to respond when a disaster strikes, she says.

Benchmark to Provide Best Quality Care

ASCA’s second generation clinical and operational program offers apples-to-apples comparison

BY ROBERT KURTZ | OCTOBER 2016

Castle Surgicenter in Aurora, Illinois, benchmarks to ensure that it is providing the best quality, safest care possible, says Patricia Darimont, RN, the ASC’s clinical director. “If benchmarking reveals an opportunity for improvement, we work to make changes,” she says.

Users Praise ASCA’s Online Training Series

Three new courses to be added in fall

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | OCTOBER 2016

ASCA will add three new courses to its Regulatory Training Series this fall: Hand Hygiene, Latex Allergy, and Prevention of Healthcare Associated Influenza. This addition will bring the total number of interactive courses in the series to 24, with 18 offering continuing education (CE) credits to facility learners. Current subscribers will automatically receive the new courses once they are released.

How to Draft a Plan of Correction

Do it quickly and make sure that it is executable

BY ROBERT KURTZ | OCTOBER 2016

Act fast, and take it seriously. That is the advice that retired Medicare surveyor and current regulatory and accreditation compliance consultant Bruce Ettinger, MD, of Santa Monica, California, has for ASCs that are required to submit a plan of correction (POC) to address deficiencies found during a Medicare survey. Ettinger is also an ASCA Board member.

Ask an RN

The value of nursing input into ASC building design

BY ROBERT KURTZ | SEPTEMBER 2016

Whether building a new ASC or expanding an existing facility, developers would be wise to include nurses on their design team, says Stephanie Leventis, RN, vice president of development for SurgCenter Development, an ASC development company based in Pismo Beach, California.

Splash, Soap, Rinse, Dry

How to assess hand hygiene and stay compliant

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | SEPTEMBER 2016

Despite years of hard work to promote and attain hand hygiene compliance in the health care setting, the industry continues to struggle to achieve goals that are set by external agencies and within the facilities themselves, says Phenelle Segal, RN, president of Infection Control Consulting Services in Delray Beach, Florida.

ASCs Training Perioperative RNs

Dearth of trained nurses has inspired surgery centers to develop their own programs

BY ROBERT KURTZ | SEPTEMBER 2016

Declining numbers of available operating room (OR) nurses have led some ASCs to develop their own perioperative RN training programs. Examples of those programs can be found in Florida Medical Clinic’s two ASCs in Tampa, Florida, and Zephyrhills, Florida, and in the Ambulatory Surgery Center of Niagara in Niagara Falls, New York.

Fire Safety Compliance

Talk with your patients early to ensure success

BY ROBERT KURTZ | SEPTEMBER 2016

William E. Lindeman is the president of WEL Designs PLC of Tucson, Arizona, a consulting firm for health care facility development and regulatory compliance. As a licensed architect working with health care providers since 1983, he has helped plan and design millions of square feet of ASCs, medical practice suites and other facilities.

Going Out of Network

Benefits and drawbacks

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | AUGUST 2016

In April, insurance giant Aetna won $37.4 million in a jury verdict against Bay Area Surgical Management (BASM), based in Saratoga, California. The 2012 law suit against BASM alleged that the firm recruited physicians to refer their patients for out-of-network procedures at overblown prices and billed Aetna millions of dollars fraudulently.

Use Your Anesthesiologists Outside of the OR

Anesthesia can help ASCs overcome common accreditation pitfalls

BY ROBERT KURTZ | AUGUST 2016

ASCs looking to improve their accreditation survey performance would be wise to involve anesthesia personnel in the preparation efforts, advises Thomas Wherry, MD, cofounder of Total Anesthesia Solutions, a provider of anesthesia service solutions in Ellicott City, Maryland, and a former surveyor for the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.

Best Practices to Secure Patient Payments

Make your collections efforts successful

BY ROBERT KURTZ | AUGUST 2016

Collection from patients will become more challenging as the insurance plans change, says Melodie Garrobo, CASC, administrator for Golden Ridge Surgery Center in Golden, Colorado.

“The patient population became accustomed to coming into a facility, receiving care and worrying about payment later,” she says. “This used to be acceptable with most health care institutions but that was when insurance covered most of the payment. Consumers are moving to high-deductible insurance plans, which means less of the payment comes from insurance and more must come from patients. This is a new world, and ASCs must make patient collections a priority.”

HIPAA Audits Enter Phase 2

Why that matters

BY ROBERT KURTZ | AUGUST 2016

In March, the US Department of Health & Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced the launch of its next phase of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) audits of covered entities and their business associates. Click here for more information.

“This news should be a wake-up call for ASCs and all health care providers covered under HIPAA to take a close look at what they are doing and have in place concerning HIPAA compliance,” says Lani Dornfeld, head of law firm Brach Eichler’s Palm Beach, Florida, office and a member of the firm’s health law practice group.

Give the Gift of Health

Join PIH and ASCA to provide surgical services to those in need

BY AMBER GAUMNITZ | JUNE-JULY 2016

Around the world, two billion people lack access to surgical care and many more struggle to find and pay for it, according to an article in the June 2015 issue of The Lancet.

The poorest third of the world’s population receives less than 4 percent of all surgical services, according to a June 2011 World Health Organization report. The impact is devastating on impoverished nations. And every day, Partners In Health (PIH), a global health nonprofit, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, strives to fight this tragedy, bringing high-level surgical care where it is most needed—from Haiti to Rwanda and around the world.

The Joint Commission Opens Advanced Certification Program

The first of its kind for ASCs

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | JUNE-JULY 2016

The Joint Commission launched its Total Hip and Knee Replacement Advanced Certification Program and began to accept applications from interested facilities on December 17, 2015. On-site reviews started on March 14, says Wendi Roberts, executive director of certification at The Joint Commission. “We are getting applications every week and currently have approximately 15 applications, including one from an ASC [as of April 15, 2016],” she says.

Leveraging State Association Participation

Use your membership to your benefit

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | JUNE-JULY 2016

While being a member of ASCA gives an ASC a broadened view of the industry, an understanding of national policies and guidelines and networking benefits on a global scale, being a member of a state association comes with its own set of benefits, says Andrew Weiss, president of the New Jersey Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (NJAASC) and administrator of The Endo Center at Voorhees in Voorhees Township, New Jersey.

Environmental Stewardship in ASCs

Leaner, more efficient practices result in financial savings, improved employee recruitment and retention

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JUNE-JULY 2016

An ASC can have a positive impact on its community both inside and outside the facility, environmental experts say.

“It is important for health care providers like ASCs to practice what they preach in terms of embracing the connection between environmental and human health, to promote health and wellness for the people in their community by doing what they can to support a cleaner environment,” says Kaeleigh Sheehan, member engagement manager for Practice Greenhealth, a Reston, Virginia-based nonprofit member organization that provides environmental solutions for the health care sector.

Becoming the Facility of Choice

Keep your physicians, staff and patients happy

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JUNE-JULY 2016

As health care organizations continue to compete for physicians, staff and patients, ASCs need to make themselves the facility of choice or lose to other players in the field, says Kris Sabo, RN, executive director of Pend Oreille Surgery Center in Ponderay, Idaho. “We need to be providing better customer service to our physicians, staff and patients than our competition or we could easily lose them all,” she says.

ASCA 2016 Convenes in Dallas This Month

Plan now to make the most of the opportunities there

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | MAY 2016

In a year filled with change and uncertainty in health care, ASCA is offering ASC professionals a one-stop shop where they can get everything they need to manage their facility more effectively and make critical decisions that will ensure their ASC’s future success. ASCA 2016, May 19–22, at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, is that destination.

Manage Your Drug Supply

Effective ways to keep on top of shortages and costs

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MAY 2016

Managing her ASC’s medication inventory is not just an occasional part of the job for Cheryl Ezerskis, CASC, executive director at West Parkway Ambulatory Surgery Center in Pompton Plains, New Jersey. “I spend more time managing our inventory than I care to admit,” she says. “I have to monitor medications every day. Getting the medications we need to do our procedures is a never-ending game I have to play.”

Drug Diversion

Detection and prevention advice

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MAY 2016

Drug diversion and poor management of controlled substances in a health care facility can lead to serious consequences. This illegal transfer and use of prescription medicines could result in patient harm and fines and loss of license for an ASC.

Set Up Your Coder for Success

Find and retain the right match for your ASC

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | APRIL 2016

Experts agree that inpatient coding and ASC coding are completely different. Therefore, it would be a mistake to hire an inpatient coder and expect them to code ASC procedures accurately.

Capital Purchases

Research, analyze and compare before you buy

BY ROBERT KURTZ | APRIL 2016

Acapital purchase mistake can have a significant financial impact on an ASC, says Jennifer Butterfield, RN, CASC, administrator of Lakes Surgery Center in West Bloomfield, Michigan. “Unfortunately, we do not have very deep pockets. If you are going to be taking on the burden of a large purchase and, with it, a large monthly payment, you need to have the cases to justify and then support that payment.”

Improving the Patient Experience

Follow these ‘Five Habits’

BY ROBERT KURTZ | APRIL 2016

In mid-2014, Deerfield, Illinois-based surgical solutions provider Surgical Care Affiliates (SCA) set out to determine what could be done for every patient to consistently improve the patient experience. To achieve this objective, SCA formed a committee that looked at organizations and companies known for their customer service excellence, including the Cleveland Clinic, Disney and Starbucks.

Changing Equipment

New payment models promote cost-effective sites of service and patient choice

BY ROBERT KURTZ | APRIL 2016

ASCs have many reasons for replacing one piece of equipment with another. Some are under the ASC’s control, but others are not. Careful planning and the five tips that follow can help ensure that an ASC is buying wisely and help make the changes involved easier for everyone.

Lowering the Cost of Health Care

New payment models promote cost-effective sites of service and patient choice

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | MARCH 2016

As the US health care system continues to look for ways to provide better patient care at a lower price, insurers are exploring innovative payment policies.

Letting Go

Sound strategies for employee termination

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MARCH 2016

While you might hope that you never need to terminate an employee, ASC leaders always need to be prepared to do so, says Damaris L. Medina, JD, a health care attorney with Michelman & Robinson, LLP, who is based in Los Angeles, California.

Maximize the Benefits of Quality Improvement Studies

Follow these six easy steps

BY ROBERT KURTZ | MARCH 2016

ASC management experts Kelli McMahan, vice president of operations for Pinnacle III, a Lakewood, Colorado-based ASC development and management company, and Jesseye Arambide, RN, executive director of Oregon Outpatient Surgery Center in Tigard, Oregon, and past president of the Oregon Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, offer advice on ways ASCs can make their quality improvement (QI) studies easier and more valuable.

Advocacy in Action

Follow an ASC bill on its journey to becoming a law

BY KRISTIN MURPHY | FEBRUARY 2016

ASCA and ASCs across the country are on the precipice of a major legislative victory this year: the adoption of the Electronic Health Fairness Act. In 2015, the US House of Representatives and the US Senate unanimously passed slightly different versions of the act which, if enacted, will provide relief to ASC physicians who face penalties due to Medicare’s meaningful use requirements tied to electronic health records (EHR) systems. As this article goes to press, Congress is reconciling the two versions of the bill; the reconciled bill must be passed before it can be signed into law by President Barack Obama.

Setting the Rules

How the regulatory requirements that apply to your ASC are created and changed

BY STEVEN SELDE | FEBRUARY 2016

Just as there is a legislative process that all bills must go through to become law [see page 10], there is a regulatory, or rulemaking, process that determines the rules that will be adopted to enforce new laws. Most laws contain language that helps to identify which federal agency will set those rules. Often, the laws also identify specific areas that the rules should address.

Purchasing an EMR

Do your research before you buy

BY ROBERT KURTZ | FEBRUARY 2016

ASCs have many reasons to purchase an electronic medical records (EMR) system. One is that health care providers of every kind are rapidly adopting electronic records, says Cindy Klein, vice president and chief medical information officer of United Surgical Partners International, an owner, operator and developer of ASCs and short-stay surgical hospitals nationwide based in Addison, Texas.

Self-Championing Your ASC

Stand up for your center and the work that you do for your community

BY DANIELLE KASTER | FEBRUARY 2016

For more than 40 years, ASCs have provided millions of Americans with high-quality, cost-efficient surgical care, yet many legislators are unaware of their work and how they have transformed the outpatient experience. While ASCA continues to advocate for ASCs and serve as the voice of the ASC community, there is no substitute for individual ASC leaders and staff who lobby their legislators as constituents.

When a Vendor Files for Bankruptcy

How to handle business with the company going under

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JANUARY 2016

Organizations often use bankruptcy as a financial tool to upright their financial stability, says Timothy Walsh, JD, international head of the restructuring and insolvency practice in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery, who practices out of the firm’s New York office. “All bankruptcy means is your inability to pay your debts as they become due. That is the only requirement you need to be able to file.”

Consolidation in the ASC Market

To be successful, be proactive in pursuing alignment strategies

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JANUARY 2016

Under the federal budget adopted last November, hospitals and health systems are no longer able to buy ASCs, convert them to hospital outpatient departments (HOPD) and charge HOPD prices in those facilities. Even without that option, the trend toward consolidation in the US health care marketplace continues. Many are trying to determine how consolidation is affecting individual ASCs throughout the country, but the only definitive answer seems to be “It depends.”

The Joint Commission to Launch ASC Program

The agency will roll out its first advanced certification program for surgery centers this year

BY SAHELY MUKERJI | JANUARY 2016

The Joint Commission is planning the launch of a new product called Total Hip and Knee Replacement Advanced Certification Program this year. The agency has been working with ASCA for the last couple of years to develop this program.

ASCs Invest More in Benefits, Less in Individual Bonus Pay

ASCA surveys also reveal small salary increases since 2012

BY ROBERT KURTZ | JANUARY 2016

ASCs across the country invest more in employee benefits and pay modestly higher salaries to nearly all staff today than in 2012, according to an analysis of data from ASCA’s recently released 2015 ASC Salary and Benefits Survey report and ASCA’s 2012 survey. The analysis also shows that while more ASCs pay bonuses to more staff, the amounts of those bonuses are slightly under those paid in 2012, the last year ASCA conducted its compensation survey. The 2015 survey results, collected from 846 participants, include data on 20 ASC job positions, employee benefits and ASC demographics.