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For more than 50 years, ASCs have provided high-quality, cost-efficient surgical care for millions of Americans. In that time, ASCs have transformed the outpatient experience by offering a convenient and personalized alternative to the hospital outpatient surgical setting. That’s why for the entire month of August, we highlight and celebrate ASCs with National ASC Month. Join us in the celebration by hosting an open house or facility tour for your elected officials, the media or members of your community! |
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Is Video Laryngoscopy a Cost-effective Option?
The intubation techniques and tools you choose every day can affect your facility’s costs and patient outcomes. So which investments pay off? To find out, we looked at recent studies evaluating the clinical and economic impact of different intubation devices and techniques. Take a look at this infographic to see the results.
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Data submission for the second quarter (Q2) of ASCA’s 2023 Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey will close next Monday, July 31. This valuable online resource provides data you can use to improve clinical outcomes, staff indicators, billing performance and more at your facility. If you haven’t already, subscribe today so you can submit your data and receive comparison data for the remaining three quarters of the year. ASCA members save $150 on subscriptions to the 2023 survey. Purchase your subscription now. |
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Only one week remains to submit an application for the September Certified Administrator Surgery Center (CASC)® exam. The deadline to apply is next Monday, July 31. The CASC credential is a distinction earned by members of the ASC community who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge and skills required of an ASC administrator. |
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Has your surgery center ever taken on an unprofitable case? Surgeries are complex, payer contracts are complicated, and costs vary significantly by procedure. ASCs usually employ one of two strategies to detect unprofitable cases - manual calculations or previous experience.
HST Profit Forecast automates profitability estimations and provides profit margin analysis for each case. Help your ASC improve or avoid unprofitable cases altogether.
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During the first half of 2023, healthcare organizations across the country posted 322 breaches of protected health information (PHI) affecting 500 or more individuals. Consistent with previous updates, the vast majority of the breaches—96 percent—were caused by unauthorized access or hacking. Read this Digital Debut to learn more. |
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On July 13, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released proposed 2024 policy updates for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The proposed rule includes a 3.36 percent decrease to physician reimbursement rates, an expected yet unwelcome proposal that is the result of updates to reimbursement for evaluation and management (E/M) services and budget neutrality requirements within the fee schedule.
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The Joint Commission will eliminate and consolidate a second tranche of standards, following the first major reduction announced late last year. The more than 200 eliminated and consolidated standards, effective August 27, 2023, include ambulatory standards, according to a release.
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ASC Focus (07/01/23)
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The Pfizer pharmaceutical plant severely damaged by a tornado this week in North Carolina will have no “immediate significant impacts” on drug supply chains, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Friday. "We do not expect there to be any immediate significant impacts on supply given the products are currently at hospitals and in the distribution system, but this is a dynamic situation and FDA staff are in frequent communication with Pfizer and other manufacturers," FDA commissioner Robert Califf said in a statement.
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The Hill (07/21/23) Nick Robertson
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Physicians are less likely to work in a private practice than 10 years ago due to economic, administrative, and regulatory burdens that have driven physicians to shift traditional business models for medical practices, according to a newly released biennial analysis of physician practice arrangements by the American Medical Association (AMA). Based on data collected between 2012 and 2022 by the AMA through the nationally-representative Physician Practice Benchmark Survey, the analysis explores the changes in the ownership and organization of physician practices, as well as the reasons that private practices are sold to hospitals or health systems.
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AMA News Release (07/12/23)
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A measurement tool should be used to reduce overinflation of a device, located on breathing tubes, that protects the patient’s airway during general anesthesia to help prevent complications such as sore throat, according to results of a quality improvement initiative presented at the virtual American Society of Anesthesiologists' Anesthesia Quality and Patient Safety Meeting. To prepare a patient for general anesthesia, the anesthesiologist places a breathing tube in the trachea (windpipe).
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Newswise (07/17/23)
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Three factors raise concerns that some people enrolled in Medicaid managed care may not be receiving all medically necessary health care services intended to be covered: (1) the high number and rates of denied prior authorization requests, (2) the limited oversight of prior authorization denials in most States, and (3) the limited access to external medical reviews.
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HHS Office of Inspector General (07/17/23)
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Earlier this month, the Connecticut legislature passed Public Act 23-171, "An Act Protecting Patients and Prohibiting Unnecessary Health Care Costs." It is expected that Governor Lamont will sign the act.
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JDSupra (06/23/23) Julia Boisvert; Arielle Smitt; Stephanie Sprague Sobkowiak
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About ASCAMission: The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) is the national membership association that represents ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and provides advocacy and resources to assist ASCs in delivering high-quality, cost-effective ambulatory surgery to all the patients they serve. About Us: At ASCA, we are eager to help you become better acquainted with our nation's ASCs and the people who own and operate them. We are also eager to help you develop policies on ASC-related issues. If you have questions, please contact us. We'll put you in touch with the experts and, if you like, arrange for you to visit an ASC in your area. Contact Us: Advertising inquiries should be addressed to Chris Schriever or Alex Yewdell at 202.337.1897 or at advertising@ascassociation.org. Follow ASCA on
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