Last year was a pivotal year for the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) industry, marked by transformative trends, groundbreaking innovations and high-stakes decisions that reshaped the landscape. It was also an exciting year for us at Ambulatory Surgery Center News, as we launched in the summer of 2024 with a mission to deliver in-depth reporting and actionable insights tailored to ASC operators, investors, payers, clinicians and other stakeholders. Since our debut, we've brought you stories … [Read more...]
Key Insights from ASC Leaders: The Quotes That Have Defined 2024
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 Critical Role of ASCs During National Emergencies
In the face of unprecedented national emergencies, such as hurricanes or pandemics, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have increasingly demonstrated their potential to serve as vital lifelines. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed just how crucial ASCs could be, stepping in to relieve overburdened hospitals and providing a safe space for essential procedures. With both natural disasters and health crises becoming more frequent, ASC operators and policymakers are re-evaluating how these centers can … [Read more...]
Site-of-Care Shifts Continue as Outpatient Procedures Migrate to ASCs
The U.S. health care system continues to become more decentralized. As part of that trend, health care services continue to trickle down from hospitals and health systems to freestanding entities, including ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). While the pace of such site-of-care shifts feels fast, it has actually been a gradual process. And ASCs have likely yet to feel the full force of the procedure volumes headed their way in the not-too-distant future, recent insights from the Advisory Board … [Read more...]
4 Surgical Procedures Gaining Momentum in the Outpatient Setting
The trend of moving medical procedures from hospitals to outpatient settings is picking up speed in almost every realm of health care. Driven by advancements in medical technology, changes in reimbursement policies, and patients looking for less invasive and more cost-effective care options, ambulatory surgery center (ASC) operators are at a unique precipice with the opportunity to expand their care networks. Cardiovascular procedures have seen a significant increase in being performed … [Read more...]
Heart Health in ASCs: Preparing for the Shift to Cardiovascular Procedures
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...]