Operations

Instrument sterilization inside any health care facility is crucial for patient safety. Failing to sterilize properly can lead to serious consequences. In May, Parkwest Surgery Center, an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) based in Knoxville, Tennessee, was sued by four patients claiming they contracted an unusual bacteria during knee procedures in 2023. This resulted in multiple emergency room visits and repeat surgeries after their initial surgeries failed to heal, according to Knoxville news … [Read more...]

If 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) business model, it is also one that will test its limits. Rising labor costs, payer complexity, anesthesia shortages and margin pressure are operational realities that executives are confronting daily. The shift of higher-acuity cases into outpatient settings continues, but the economic and workforce infrastructure needed to support that growth has not always kept pace. For many operators, the challenge is … [Read more...]

Chronic pain procedures are increasingly being performed in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), offering patients quicker access, lower costs and reduced infection risks compared to traditional hospital settings, especially benefiting older adults on Medicare. However, challenges remain in maintaining effective pain management and navigating regulatory and reimbursement hurdles.  “Reimbursement is always a challenge,” Jennifer Hodge, COO of Palmetto Pain Management, told ASC News.  “Some … [Read more...]

Nashua Ambulatory Surgical Center (NASC) in Nashua, New Hampshire, has expanded its services to include total joint surgery, beginning with its first total shoulder replacement.  This successful surgery marks the launch of NASC’s total joint program, which will reportedly grow to include total hip and knee replacements in early 2026.  “The motivation to bring total joint surgery to NASC is to provide high-quality, cost-effective outpatient care with a focus on patient safety, comfort and … [Read more...]

From seismic policy shifts to blockbuster deals and the accelerating migration of higher-acuity care into the outpatient setting, 2025 was a defining year for the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) industry. ASC News readers gravitated toward stories that captured an industry in transition – one balancing rapid growth and innovation with mounting regulatory action, reimbursement pressures, and questions about scale, ownership and independence. Clinical evolution was another important theme. … [Read more...]

A study presented at the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) Annual Meeting in late 2025 found that patients undergoing revision of total joint replacement (TJR) may experience fewer postoperative complications when the procedure is performed at a standalone ambulatory surgery center (ASC) rather than in a hospital setting.  The AAHKS annual meeting took place Oct. 23-26 in Dallas.  Dr. Craig J. Della Valle, endowed professor of orthopedic surgery and chief of adult … [Read more...]

Freedom Surgical partners with Olena Medical Freedom Surgical Center (FSC) has established a collaborative relationship with Olena Medical, a physician-owned provider of anesthesia, pain management and other medical specialties.  Olena Medical will provide FSC with comprehensive anesthesia services, including pre-operative evaluation, intra-operative anesthesia care and comprehensive post-operative management.  “Our goal is to provide anesthesia care that not only meets technical … [Read more...]

Leadership turnover within medical settings has been a hot topic in 2025.  Hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) have faced high turnover this year, driven by such stressors as economic pressures, technological demands and a changing workforce culture.  ASC News recently interviewed Steve Hockert, chief development officer at Southlake, Texas-based Solara Surgical, an ASC development and operations management organization, to gain his insights on why this trend has emerged and his … [Read more...]

The ambulatory surgery center (ASC) industry is entering 2026 with plenty of momentum, fueled by a shifting regulatory landscape plus rising demand from patients and payers alike. But there are sizable hurdles ASC operators will need to clear as they move forward. To help set the scene, Ambulatory Surgery Center News connected with 12 ASC leaders and market experts, asking them about the trends, challenges and opportunities likely to define 2026 most. Those who participated in this … [Read more...]

Despite some setbacks in the third quarter, Ardent Health (NYSE: ARDT) continues to progress with its expansion plans in 2026 after adjusting its business strategy. That’s according to Ardent leadership’s remarks during the company’s Q3 earnings call on Nov. 13. During the call, leaders announced the company generated significant patient volumes and revenue growth, driven by improving surgical trends and sustained industry strength.  It was also reported that in the second half of 2025, … [Read more...]