Small, independent ASCs are facing several challenges in 2024, including competition for labor and rising wages, making it difficult for ASCs to compete with larger health systems.
Two healthcare leaders connected with Becker's to discuss some of the biggest concerns they have for ASCs in 2024:
Marco Araujo, MD. Medical Director at The A Clinics (Southlake, Texas): Labor shortages, especially in anesthesia, are concerning. It is easier for MDs and CRNAs to provide as-needed services. ASCs will find it harder and harder to contract anesthesia services.
Ronald Bullen. Executive Director at ProHealth Aligned (Waukesha, Wis.): The most concerning change is the rapid rise in surgical tech wage rates. We are in a very competitive, four-health system market, and hospital wage rates are pressuring our facility to push rates near RN range. I am concerned that RN wage rate wars are next on the horizon.