Cheyenne, Wyo.-based High Plains Surgery Center Administrator Debbie Hall shared with Becker's ASC Review how trends in the healthcare industry are affecting operations at her surgery center.
Note: Responses have been lightly edited for style.
Question: The healthcare industry has seen a high volume of mergers and acquisitions in the past couple years. How has this activity impacted the way your practice operates?
Debbie Hall: Our current surgery center is the product of a merger of two surgery centers with a hospital partner five years ago, and it has been a very productive and positive merger for all entities involved and the community in which we all serve.
Q: Compared to hospitals or other facilities, what advantages do ASCs face in an increasingly consolidated market?
DH: The advantages that ASCs have are that we are cost-effective, provide excellent quality care and were formed from a value-based vision, so we are built to survive in the value-based care environment.
Q: What's one major challenge ASCs must overcome to thrive in a value-based care environment?
DH: One major challenge ASCs must overcome to thrive in a value-based care environment is to control costs to optimize operational efficiencies while providing quality care.