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...]

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...]

Bon Secours Mercy Health, Compass Surgical Partners and AlignedCardio have announced plans to open a cardiovascular ambulatory surgery center (ASC) in the Short Pump area of Henrico, Virginia.  Driven by technological advancements and data demonstrating safety, cardiovascular procedures are increasingly being performed in ASCs. The new facility, Short Pump Cardiovascular Ambulatory Surgery Center, is set to open in late 2025.  The 8,000-square-foot center will offer a range of procedures, … [Read more...]

There is a growing movement in the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) industry to include more cardiovascular codes in the Covered Procedures List (CPL).  ASCs have been positioned to transform cardiovascular care in the U.S. since the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) added percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) to its covered procedure list in 2020. What’s more, cardiovascular procedures in ASCs are becoming more and more common due to technological advancements, … [Read more...]

Not too long ago, it may have seemed far-fetched to have your heart surgery performed outside of the traditional hospital setting.  But that’s increasingly happening, as more types of cardiovascular procedures are being shifted into the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) setting. The trend is likely to continue, too, prompting more ASC operators to consider solidifying their cardiovascular strategies. About 121.5 million people are diagnosed with heart disease each year, though only 6.5 … [Read more...]