Technology

Contractual disputes, compliance pitfalls and insurance denials driven by artificial intelligence are among the many legal issues that should be on ambulatory surgery center (ASC) operators' radar in 2025. Generally, legal experts expect litigation involving ASCs to rise this year, attorneys at ArentFox Schiff wrote in a recent JD Supra post, pointing to expanding case volume tied to operational, regulatory and transactional friction points. As more high-acuity procedures shift from … [Read more...]

Advancements in technology are remaking operating rooms, administrative back offices and patient care across the health care sector. Yet for many ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs), artificial intelligence and other tech tools remains uneven at best.  “ASCs are probably behind the times,” Tansie Stewart, CEO of the  Texas Health Surgery Center Park Hill, told Ambulatory Surgery Center News at the Investment & Operations conference. “It’s … [Read more...]

A new study from Intermountain Health has shown that discharging certain high-risk patients with a pulse oximeter can help prevent opioid-induced respiratory depression at home. The findings are particularly relevant for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), where patients often receive opioids after same-day procedures and then quickly return to their homes without the degree of clinical monitoring they’d receive in other settings. Home monitoring will likely become a part of an added safety … [Read more...]

Olympus debuts AI-driven surgical planning tool Olympus has introduced its first AI-driven clinical decision tool in partnership with software company Ziosoft. This application combines advanced imaging analytics and machine learning to help surgeons streamline preoperative planning and improve clinical efficiency in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs).  Initial modules focus on liver, lung and kidney procedures. A thoracic surgery feature transforms standard CT/MRI scans into 3D models for … [Read more...]

More and more, surgical robotics are being discussed as having potential to bring savings and new surgical cases to ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs).  Yet implementing robotics systems often comes with financial and operational challenges.  Ambulatory Surgery Center News spoke with Deb Yoder, vice president of facility development at Compass Surgical Partners, to discuss the growing adoption of surgical robots in specialties like orthopedics, urology and gynecology, as well as the … [Read more...]

Tenet Healthcare Corporation (NYSE: THC) closed out 2024 strong, partly propelled by growth in its large ambulatory surgery center (ASC) division, United Surgical Partners International (USPI). Moving forward, the company is focused on ASC expansion and high-acuity case growth, CEO Saum Sutaria said during the company’s Q4 earnings call. "We intend to invest approximately $250 million each year towards M&A in the ambulatory space,” Sutaria said. “And the pipeline of opportunities … [Read more...]

The ambulatory surgery center (ASC) market has transformed dramatically since the 1990s. Scott Fraser, founding partner of Fraser Healthcare Partners, has seen this evolution play out, with several factors playing important roles. He spoke about how the market has changed during a recent webinar hosted by Device Talks. “I’ve spent about 30 years watching the overall market from its infancy in the early 90s to really now becoming a vital part of health care delivery,” he said.  As more … [Read more...]

The robot doctor is in.  While surgical robotics have traditionally been the domain of large and well-resourced hospital systems, there is a growing movement bringing robotics into ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). As technology evolves, surgical robotics are set to become a staple in outpatient care, offering new opportunities for ASC operators. Yet there are barriers to overcome, including cost constraints and patient-safety concerns.  “Robotics in ASCs is a challenge because of the … [Read more...]

One of the most significant, sector-shaping trends in health care is the migration of care out of the traditional hospital and into lower-cost outpatient settings. Ambulatory surgery center (ASC) market growth reflects this idea. In light of this overarching theme of care shifting into non-traditional settings, the ASC industry has entered into a period of rapid change and fast-paced growth that’s certain to extend into 2025. More private equity investors will turn their attention to … [Read more...]

Getting surgical technology and equipment ready – and in the hands of surgeons at the right time – is essential to running an efficient operating room. But there’s a big problem: There’s a dire shortage of trained professionals who know how to perform such tasks in concert with surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses. A new initiative out of Oregon wants to help mitigate that challenge. Umpqua Community College (UCC) and the Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board (SOWIB) announced … [Read more...]