Looming labor shortages in the medical industry have been widely reported, and gastroenterologists are expected to follow the trend.

The nonprofit North Carolina Ambulatory Surgery Center Association elected Jamie Ridout, MSN, BSN, as president.

With advancements in medical technology and high-quality outcomes, CMS has steadily allowed more orthopedic procedures to be performed in outpatient settings such as ambulatory surgery centers.

As we approach the end of 2021, it's time to reflect on the year that was while looking forward to the year that will be. To learn about the 2021 experiences and 2022 objectives of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) throughout the country, we did what we have done every year for the past five years: reached out to the users of "The Note Pad," an online community of surgery center professionals exclusively for Surgical Notes clients, and asked them to share their thoughts. Once again, they came through with some terrific perspectives and insight.

Surgery Partners Executive Chairman of the Board Wayne DeVeydt will be appointed to the board of directors for Centene, a multinational health insurer, early next year.

The Banner Surgery Center in Tempe, Ariz., raised money to buy gifts for a family in need.

Clint Devin, MD, a spine surgeon with Steamboat Orthopaedic and Spine Institute, died Dec. 10 after his plane crashed at the top of a mountain in Steamboat Springs, Colo., the Aspen Times reported Dec. 14. 

While the CMS mandate for healthcare workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 4 has been stalled by a federal judge injunction, some ASC administrators are still concerned about how it could affect businsess. 

Drew Bell has been named president of anesthesia at Ventra Health, a revenue cycle and practice management firm backed by Varsity Healthcare Partners.

From CMS restoring the inpatient-only list to unaddressed supply chain issues, obstacles facing ASCs at the federal level were discussed with Joe Peluso, administrator of Aestique Surgery Center in Greensburg, Pa.

Ralph Massullo, MD, founder and president of Suncoast Dermatology and Skin Surgery Center in Lecanto, Fla., is running for the Florida Senate, Citrus County Chronicle reported Dec. 7. 

Driven in part by a CMS and payer push to move as many procedures as safely possible to the outpatient setting, ASCs (ambulatory surgery centers) have a critical need to adapt.

Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) do an exceptional job of collecting patient deductibles, co-pays, and other patient responsibilities due prior to performing procedures.

Many procedures are being pushed to outpatient settings when clinically appropriate, driven in part by payers, both public and private. As a result, a host of technology solutions are emerging designed to help ASCs provide quality pre-, intra- and post-operative care more efficiently. 

Four ASC leaders spoke with Becker's ASC Review on how President Joe Biden's administration has affected ASCs in the last year. 

Physicians need to be trained on how ASCs operate to ensure efficiency, according to Brian Geissler, vice president and chief administrative officer for ASCs for Johns Hopkins Health System. 

To attract workers and maintain a positive workplace culture, some ASC leaders use rewards like on-the-spot cash. One Arizona ASC came up with a unique way of rewarding employees who put their best foot forward.

Here are 10 ASC administrators to know:

CMS has a massive influence on ASC's ability to secure reimbursements, and the agency's recent decision to remove 255 procedures from the ASC-payable list confused and frustrated many industry leaders. 

Hospitals and ASCs can butt heads at times over competition for top nurses, physicians and other staff; differences in reimbursements; and advocating for approved outpatient procedures.