Shelby Grebbin

New medical office building construction begins near Gleneagle Construction has started on a new two-story medical office building in Colorado Springs, Colorado, aimed at expanding cardiology and vascular care access. The 35,000-square-foot facility will feature an ambulatory surgery center, a standalone cardiac catheterization lab, imaging services and diagnostic facilities. “This has been part of the plan for Colorado Springs Cardiology, in the name of expanding access for patients for … [Read more...]

Accreditation is often viewed as a regulatory necessity, but for ambulatory surgery center (ASC) operators, it can also serve as a powerful marketing tool..  “It’s kind of like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval,” according to Laurie Roderiques, RN, director of clinical services for Ambulatory Healthcare Strategies. “That can possibly put you a leg up on someone else.” Roderiques spoke at the recent virtual conference hosted by John Goehle.  The primary accrediting organizations for … [Read more...]

As ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) face challenges like supply-chain disruptions and payer negotiations, strategic partnerships are becoming more necessary for long-term success.  From collaborating with hospital systems to leveraging industry innovations and payer savings programs, ASC leaders shared their thoughts on building relationships that drive efficiency and improve patient care during a recent panel discussion at an industry conference. “For us, our valuable partners are the … [Read more...]

Ophthalmology is a growing specialty in the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) space. In part, that growth is fueled by operators using advanced technology that increases patient satisfaction and generates more demand. Rising case rates and ownership opportunities for younger physicians are also giving ophthalmology momentum in the ASC industry. Ophthalmology is so hot, in fact, there may be a looming supply-demand imbalance for ASCs to contend with down the line. “In ophthalmology, I … [Read more...]

Restrictions on Medicaid reimbursement and the ongoing anesthesiologist shortage have been among the most pressing issues facing ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) across the U.S. in 2024. Representatives from several state ASC associations discussed those and other topics during a recent virtual panel discussion.  “By joining together and just always viewing ourselves as community, I think we really do have to take that on ourselves, especially as the leaders of these organizations, to … [Read more...]

You can often take the pulse of any industry by analyzing the words of its leaders. And while there were plenty of interesting quotes from ambulatory surgery center (ASC) leaders in our reporting this year, a few stood out for their thoughtfulness, candor and relevance. From pricing transparency and strategic partnerships, to navigating compliance and the growing shift towards high-acuity procedures, these quotes capture the essence of the challenges and opportunities facing ASCs … [Read more...]

The ambulatory surgery center (ASC) landscape continues to evolve with different ownership and management models, one being the ASC and office-based lab (OBL) hybrid, in which operators combine the services of both facilities under the same roof.  This model is particularly popular in cardiology, William Hoffman, a shareholder at the law firm Polsinelli, told ASC News. But the hybrid approach also works in other specialties, including ophthalmology, according to Joseph D’Agostino, ASC … [Read more...]

Baxter announced a significant milestone in its recovery efforts at the North Cove, North Carolina, manufacturing facility, which was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene. The company has successfully restarted a second IV solutions production line, following the relaunch of the first line in late October, the company announced in a Nov. 14 update. Together, these lines now represent 50% of the site’s pre-hurricane production capacity and 85% of its one-liter IV solution output – critical … [Read more...]

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, which severely disrupted the supply of intravenous (IV) solutions in the United States, ambulatory surgery center (ASC) operators are thinking more seriously about resilience.   The recent fluid shortages were a major challenge that taught operators valuable lessons about supply chain vulnerabilities, Dr. Vishal Mehta, president and managing partner at Fox Valley Orthopedic Institute, said at a recent industry conference. Fox Valley operates multiple ASCs in … [Read more...]

The 2024 presidential election has ushered in Donald Trump’s return to the White House. With it, questions arise about the future of health care policy and implications for the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) industry. “President Trump was president for four years, so it’s not like we’re walking into this completely blind,” J. Blake Peart, managing director at health care advisory firm Vertess, told ASC News.  The Affordable Care Act (ACA) remains a critical issue, Peart said. During his … [Read more...]