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The Getting to Know the ASC Accrediting Organizations virtual course is just one week away! During this course, you’ll hear directly from representatives from AAAHC, ACHC, Quad A and The Joint Commission. Each day, one accrediting organization will provide a deep dive into its organization, survey process and standards. The course streams live February 5–8 and will be available on demand afterwards. You can attend all four days or join just the sessions with the accrediting organizations you are most interested in. Register now!Please note: This virtual course is being offered in place of pre-conference workshops at the ASCA 2024 Conference & Expo. |
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If you haven’t already, register today for the ASCA 2024 Conference & Expo, taking place April 17–20 in sunny Orlando, Florida. This year’s conference features a slew of exciting new features as well as returning favorites. Restructured conference rates mean registration costs are reduced by up to 40 percent! ASCA 2024 also offers brand-new networking opportunities, an updated schedule, a can’t-miss welcome reception where $10,000 in cash prizes will be given away and more. Space is limited, so register now! |
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Ultimate List of Training Requirements for ASCs
MedTrainer’s compliance experts meticulously identified the required training that ASCs need to meet federal requirements and AORN guidelines. We’ve broken it down by role to make it even easier.
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Are you interested in being a mentor or mentee in the spring virtual class of the 2024-2025 ASC Administrator Development Program? The deadline to apply is tomorrow, January 31. This yearlong mentoring program matches newer and aspiring administrators with their more experienced peers. Applicants will be notified if they are accepted by February 15. Don’t miss out— apply today! |
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Reveal the hidden areas of instruments with the TOSI® washer test
Reveal the hidden areas of instruments with the TOSI® washer test, the easy-to-use blood soil device that directly correlates to the cleaning challenge of surgical instruments. TOSI® is the first device to provide a consistent, repeatable, and reliable method for evaluating the cleaning effectiveness of the automated instrument washer.
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Join more than 80 of your peers to advocate for the ASC community during ASCA’s 2024 National Advocacy Day, February 26–28. The last day to register is tomorrow, January 31. National Advocacy Day gathers engaged members of the ASC community from across the country to advocate for their facilities and the high-quality care they deliver. It is an excellent opportunity to meet face-to-face with your members of Congress and their staff to educate them about the many benefits ASCs offer and issues currently impacting their ability to provide care. Register today. |
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6 Ways ASCs Lose Money Due to Disconnected SoftwareRising expenses and a challenging reimbursement environment create significant financial pressure on surgery centers. It is crucial for ASCs to proactively address these avoidable issues that diminish their earnings.
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The OAS CAHPS Survey will become mandatory next year for all eligible Medicare-certified ASCs, and ASCA strongly encourages all ASCs to start now. The OAS CAHPS Survey is designed to measure patient experience with overall care received in ASCs. Visit ASCA’s new OAS CAHPS resources page to learn more about the approved survey vendors and find out what you need to do to get started. Additionally, ASCA members receive a discount on Press Ganey’s OAS CAHPS Survey. |
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Are you an administrator looking for tips and benchmarks to build your playbook? Check out the ASC State of the Industry Report! 45+ chapters of industry research including 125+ data-backed benchmarks helping admins optimize ASC operations using best practices, operational insights, and more. Read the full report.
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This year’s state legislative sessions are well underway, with 39 state legislatures actively meeting as of January 17. Despite the typically slower pace of the second year in a legislative biennium, legislators around the country have quickly indicated that healthcare issues remain a top concern that they intend to pursue in 2024. Read this Digital Debut to learn more. |
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is putting the brakes on a controversial policy to restrict the use of anesthesia during colonoscopies. The policy took effect Jan. 1, drawing outrage from doctors who worried it would slow their productivity and discourage patients from getting a potentially life-saving procedure over fears of discomfort and pain.
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WBUR (MA) (01/25/24) Priyanka Dayal McCluskey
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In direct response to the Nurse Assist, LLC recall on November 6, 2023, distributors of Nurse Assist water-based medical products and manufacturers of kits and trays that contain Nurse Assist recalled products are initiating voluntary recalls. The FDA is receiving reports of adverse events associated with use of Nurse Assist products and is further evaluating this information.
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FDA Safety Communication (01/24/24)
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On December 7, the Biden-Harris Administration announced new actions to promote competition in health care, including increasing transparency in the Medicare Advantage (MA) insurance market and strengthening MA programmatic data. Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, is continuing momentum in this area by releasing a Request for Information to solicit feedback from the public on how best to enhance MA data capabilities and increase public transparency.
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CMS Press Release (01/25/24)
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CMS added utilization data, specifically procedure volume, for the first time on the Medicare.gov compare tool’s profile pages for doctors and clinicians. The procedures initially added to profile pages were performed by doctors and clinicians for Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage patients in the last 12 months.
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MLN Connects (01/18/24)
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TPG, a leading global alternative asset management firm, today announced a significant strategic investment in Compass Surgical Partners, an independent full-service ambulatory surgery center development and management partner. TPG Growth, the firm’s middle market and growth equity platform, is funding the investment, participating alongside existing investor Health Velocity Capital.
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Business Wire (01/23/24)
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The Food and Drug Administration has elevated and expanded an office that handles activities including medical device cybersecurity and digital health. Effective immediately, the Office of Strategic Partnerships and Technology Innovation has become a "super office."
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MedTech Dive (01/25/24) Nick Paul Taylor
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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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