Florida-based Coastal Orthopedics was nominated Best Ambulatory Surgery Center by U.S. News & World Report, shortly after the team made the decision to expand in a new location. Relocated to its current location in 2022, Coastal Orthopedics' 88,000-square-foot Bradenton headquarters is equipped with same-day surgery technology clinical services, physical therapy, administrative offices and MRI facilities, out of which 16 orthopedic specialists operate. Dr. Arthur Valadie, chief … [Read more...]
Sutter Health Continues ASC Expansion Despite Industry Challenges
The number of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in the United States has grown significantly over the past five years. The ASC industry experienced an average annual growth rate of 5% between 2018 and 2023, according to industry analysts at IBIS World. This growth is expected to continue at approximately 3% from 2024 to 2033. California is reported to have the highest number of ASCs. One of the biggest players in the market is Sutter Health. Sutter Health, a not-for-profit integrated … [Read more...]
From Hospitals to ASCs: The New Frontier in Advanced Spinal Surgeries
Not too long ago, patients in need of complex spine procedures would find themselves wandering through sprawling hospital complexes for surgeries and follow-up appointments. That experience is now happening less frequently for many individuals, however, as the types of spine surgeries that once only took place in traditional acute care hospitals shift into the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) setting. The trend is likely to continue, too, according to ASC executives who specialize in spinal … [Read more...]
Moving Bariatric Surgeries to ASCs Leads to Greater Patient Availability, Satisfaction
Bariatric surgery has seen a significant increase in popularity over the years, with over 250,000 surgical procedures being performed in the United States alone in 2018, per the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. This surgery is aimed at helping patients lose excess weight while reducing the risk of weight-related health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, cancers and more. Typically, bariatric surgery is recommended for individuals with a body mass … [Read more...]
New Tampa ASC Shifts Focus from ‘Reactive’ to ‘Proactive’ Kidney Care
Panoramic Health, an integrated provider group in kidney care, recently announced the opening of a new 10,000-square-foot ambulatory surgery center (ASC) in Tampa, Florida. The facility, developed in partnership with Florida Kidney Physicians (FKP), features five operating rooms and aims to offer advanced vascular treatments in an outpatient setting. Dr. Shyam Uttamchandani, FKP chief financial officer and nephrologist, said that the center is trying to transform kidney care from “reactive” … [Read more...]
DISC Surgery Center Teams Up with Dr. James B. Chen to Offer Joint Replacement Services as Part of Expansive Growth Plan
DISC Sports & Spine Center has partnered with Dr. James B. Chen, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee joint replacement. Chen is nationally recognized for his work in advanced technology and robotic techniques, giving DISC confidence in the total joint replacement program he is introducing at its Newport Beach, California, facility. DISC Sports & Spine Center provides comprehensive care in spine, orthopedics, pain management and sports medicine. With surgery centers … [Read more...]
CMS Releases Top ASC Citations, Raising Concerns About Infection Control
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the most frequently cited areas for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in 2023. The most cited issue was "Sanitary Environment," cited 507 times. Following closely was "Infection Control Program," cited 372 times. The data, obtained by the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA), was based on 3,023 ASC surveys from last year. The numbers show that infection control remains a predominant concern for operators, with … [Read more...]
‘Recruitment Is More Competitive Than Ever’: As Race for Physicians Heats Up, ASCs Must Adopt More Flexible Workforce Strategies
Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) often lack sufficient critical staff, which can negatively impact patient care. In today's ultra-competitive, post-COVID market, a focused medical recruitment strategy can be instrumental in attracting top talent to fill open positions faster, industry insiders told ASC News. “The first thing to remember is that physicians aren't just producers; they're pivotal team members whose insights and expertise drive the success of our ASCs,” James H. Becker, CEO … [Read more...]
HCA Healthcare Surpasses 2024 Growth Targets, Aims to Focus on Outpatient Platform Investments
HCA Healthcare Inc. (NYSE: HCA) is set to surpass its volume and growth targets, driven by favorable market conditions and strategic investments in outpatient platforms. That’s according to HCA CEO Sam Hazen, who offered an update on his company Wednesday during an investor presentation. "We have a 3% to 4% guide on our volume growth in 2024," Hazen said, adding that there is the potential to exceed these targets given the strong first quarter and supportive market forces for HCA. The … [Read more...]
Study: Higher-Volume ASCs Produce Better Patient Outcomes
Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) have seen considerable growth in the outpatient surgery market in the U.S. While the relationship between hospital surgical volume and patient outcomes has been well studied, finding higher operating volume has been associated with better patient results, there was previously no evidence to demonstrate the relationship between the surgical volume at ASCs and the quality of surgical care. That recently changed. Dr. Siddharth Jain of the Yale New Haven … [Read more...]