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The ambulatory surgery center (ASC) market has grown significantly since 2019, now accounting for about 41% of surgeries performed in the United States yearly, according to some estimates.

That growth is likely to last, too, with continued gains projected through 2027.

For ASCs hoping to fuel that trend, investing in technology is critical, industry insiders told ASC News. Technology can play an important role in organizational growth and development, especially for ASCs looking to improve patient care and reduce costs.

But that’s easier said than done, with the process of identifying a new technology and rolling it out often proving to be a tricky one. There are several factors ASC operators must consider when contemplating new tech, with organizational goals and quality of patient care as two of the largest.

“In short, the key to the entire process is ensuring it meets [ASC] needs, has a meaningful ROI and has no adverse impact on financials or, more importantly, the patients served,” Matthew Wolfe, vice president of revenue cycle at Regent Surgical Health, told ASC News.

Franklin, Tennessee-based Regent Surgical Health partners with hospitals and physicians to develop, own and manage ASC facilities. The company has 21 ASC partners overall, with some of its partners including Universal Health Services (NYSE: UHS), Kettering Health Network and OhioHealth, for example.

Contextually, more than 88% of hospital chief information officers and other leaders plan to increase investments in technology in the coming years, according to a poll conducted by Redox.

Health systems are particularly keen on investing in digital transformation tools that can help improve efficiency, reduce waste and enhance patient care. 

When considering new technology investments, ASCs need to ask several strategic questions, Wolfe explained.

In particular, organizations need to evaluate how the latest technology will enhance the quality of care provided to patients. For instance, artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics advancements can help identify treatment patterns, improve outcomes and tailor care preferences to patients’ needs. 

“What are we as an organization trying to solve? What specific health care challenges do we plan to address with the new technology?” Wolfe said, offering some of those specific questions.

After that exploratory and brainstorming phase, further evaluation begins.

“Once identified, we’d ideally perform a market analysis to understand the current landscape better regarding existing solutions, competitors, trends, etc.,” Wolfe said. “We’d then pivot toward an abbreviated technology assessment, akin to a prolonged request for proposal process, through which we’d evaluate features, functionalities and capabilities of various technologies relevant to our needs. Then comes the juicy part, the cost/benefit analysis, calculating [return on investment], whether that be a tangible financial lift/loss or improved patient outcomes.” 

Why ASC-technology alignment matters

For ASCs, ensuring that new technology aligns with the organization’s goals and vision is essential.

Therefore, organizations should focus on the big picture, not just the technology tool or software. A realistic vision of the organization’s services will help determine the best health care technology needed.

“Digital technologies are only valuable to the extent that they can be effectively applied to achieve organizational goals,” John Glaser, executive in residence at Boston’s Harvard Medical School, told ASC News.

For this reason, Glaser recommends focusing on the overall transformation and not just the technology. 

Choosing the right supplier is also crucial for successful digital transformation, sources explained. 

ASCs should look for a company dedicated to innovation and new technologies – one with a proven track-record. Checking for references and reading case studies can help assess whether the technology will be subject to regulatory requirements now or in the future, too.

“Once an ideal partner is chosen, seek out providers in the ASC space that are current customers of the potential tech vendor to solicit feedback on the technological solution to see if it meets their needs and expectations,” Wolfe said. “Work with system architects/engineers throughout the process to assess potential risks involved with the technology or vendor.” 

Another important consideration: ASCs need to weigh the sustainability of their technology investments. They should allocate a budget to ensure the technology is maintained and used effectively and safely.

This budget should cover the initial investment, equipment replacement, training and recurring costs.

Organizations should also ensure that their information technology staff can maintain and periodically review the technology and that support staff is adequately trained.