October 2020 Issue of Becker's ASC Review
ON THE COVER
3 ASCs launching total joint programs
Since the beginning of August, Becker's ASC Review has reported on three ASCs launching total joint programs:
ASC payer markets and trends: 5 leaders share key thoughts for 2021 and beyond
Five ASC owners and operators outline their payer mix and what they anticipate for future reimbursement trends.
Kaiser closing ASC, ending GI services at Hawaii clinic
Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente is closing an ASC and ending gastroenterology services at Wailuku (Hawaii) Medical Office, The Maui News reports.
The ASC/OBL cardiology model — 2 industry experts answer 5 Qs
Changing federal and state rules are driving a rapid migration of cardiology procedures to the outpatient setting, according to ECG Management Consultants Principal Naya Kehayes and Associate Principal Sean Hartzell.
How the pandemic is affecting physician income
Sixty-two percent of physicians in the U.S. report their income has decreased since the pandemic began, according to the Medscape "US and International Physicians' COVID-19 Experience Report."
30% of ASCs have operating budget under $5M: 8 statistics
The annual operating budget for ASCs fluctuated from 2019 to 2020 for many centers, with more centers reporting less than $1 million and more reporting $10 million or above, according to OR Manager's "2020 Career & Salary Survey."
Where Walmart plans to open 10 health centers
Walmart Health said it is opening several new locations in the coming months in Georgia, Chicago and Florida.
$900M Minnesota hospital project with surgery center pushed back
Duluth, Minn.-based Essentia Health has pushed back its project in Duluth to accommodate an expansion, Fox 21 reports.
Medicare to save $73.4B with surgery in ASCs through 2028: 5 things to know
A new report from the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association shows performing surgery on Medicare patients in ASCs instead of hospital outpatient departments saved $4.2 billion in 2018, and the savings are expected to climb significantly in the next decade.
Surgery Partners sells select anesthesia services businesses: 4 details
Surgery Partners sold some of its anesthesia services business to Anesthesia Consulting & Management, known as NorthStar Anesthesia.
ASC MANAGEMENT
30% of ASCs have operating budget under $5M: 8 statistics
The annual operating budget for ASCs fluctuated from 2019 to 2020 for many centers, with more centers reporting less than $1 million and more reporting $10 million or above, according to OR Manager's "2020 Career & Salary Survey."
Tennessee ASC introduces 2nd orthopedics robot — 5 details
Jackson, Tenn.-based Physicians Surgery Center secured its second robotic system for orthopedic surgery: Smith+Nephew's CORI Surgical System.
Alabama ASC acquires Zimmer robotic system
Surgical Institute of Alabama acquired Zimmer Biomet's Rosa robotic system for use in total knee cases, according to Kelly Fowler, the ASC's administrator.
Illinois hospital seeks approval for $20M outpatient-focused addition to campus
Maryville, Ill.-based Anderson Healthcare is seeking approval to build a two-story, $20 million addition to its campus in Edwardsville, Ill., The Telegraph reports.
Anesthesiologist sues New Jersey for $100M over 'fabricated' kickback charges
Anesthesiologist Terry Ramnanan, MD, is suing New Jersey for $100 million, claiming the nearly two years he spent defending himself against "fabricated charges" of illegal kickbacks caused irreparable damage to his reputation and 40-year career, according to New Jersey 101.5.
ADMINISTRATOR THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Trump vs. Biden: Who is better for ASCs?
Healthcare will once again be a key issue for the presidential election in 2020.
The ASC/OBL cardiology model — 2 industry experts answer 5 Qs
Changing federal and state rules are driving a rapid migration of cardiology procedures to the outpatient setting, according to ECG Management Consultants Principal Naya Kehayes and Associate Principal Sean Hartzell.
Building a surgery center mom would use — Dr. Stefan Kreuzer's big bet on total joint replacement
Dr. Stefan Kreuzer's 80-year-old mom needed a hip replacement.
ASC payer markets and trends: 5 leaders share key thoughts for 2021 and beyond
Five ASC owners and operators outline their payer mix and what they anticipate for future reimbursement trends.
'We've been winning a lot of deals this year': Stryker CEO on ASCs, robots and the future
Stryker CEO Kevin Lobo said the company is very well positioned in the ASC industry during his presentation at the Morgan Stanley 18th Annual Virtual Global Healthcare Conference on Sept. 15.
JOINT VENTURES
Increase revenue by improving these 3 front-end processes
In today’s competitive environment, creating the ultimate “patient experience” will truly differentiate your surgery center and is paramount to building a successful and growing ASC. To create this experience, a patient should be treated with care, respect and competence in each and every interaction with your staff, your processes, your technology and your surgeons. This article is going to focus specifically on the front end aspects of the patient experience.
Children's Minnesota could close ASC because of procedure volume declines
Minneapolis-based Children's Minnesota is considering "significant" layoffs and facility closures in response to the financial ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minnesota StarTribune reports.
4-physician eye group building clinic, ASC in Washington — 3 details
Empire Eye Physicians is building a clinic and surgery center in Spokane Valley, Wash., according to Bernando | Wills Architects, an architecture and planning firm involved in the project.
$900M Minnesota hospital project with surgery center pushed back
Duluth, Minn.-based Essentia Health has pushed back its project in Duluth to accommodate an expansion, Fox 21 reports.
15.3% of providers are in solo practice — Where are the others? 7 key insights
More than half of providers practice in a hospital or in a single-specialty group, according to The Medicus Firm's "2020 Practice Preference & Relocation Survey."
ORTHOPEDICS
Researchers develop pain control prediction scale for spine surgery
Alberta, Canada-based University of Calgary researchers developed a clinical prediction scale to determine which patients were likely to experience inadequate pain control after spine surgery, according to a study in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine.
$20M financing round to fuel growth at imaging company with technology for spine
Aidoc, an artificial intelligence-powered medical imaging company, has raised $20 million in a series B financing round, Venture Beat reported Sept. 16.
ASC records 1st robotic knee replacement — 3 things to know
The Surgery Center of Amarillo (Texas) introduced robotic-assisted total knee replacement, according to the Amarillo Globe-News.
Connecticut orthopedic practices enter into strategic partnership
Greenwich, Conn.-based Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists entered into a strategic partnership with Orthopedic Associates of Middletown (Conn.).
8 spine, orthopedic expansions costing $120M+
Since Jan. 1, Becker's Spine Review has reported on eight spine and orthopedic expansion projects that have cost at least $120 million:
GASTROENTROLOGY
PE-backed GI procedure documentation software company makes acquisition
Gastroenterology procedure documentation software company Provation acquired ePreop, a perioperative software as a service solution.
Modernizing Medicine recognized for COVID-19 response
Modernizing Medicine received a Silver Stevie Award for Most Valuable Medical Innovation at the 17th Annual International Business Awards.
Mount Sinai Doctors opens Scarsdale, NY, location, expands GI services
New York City-based Mount Sinai Doctors opened a new location in Scarsdale, N.Y., which will provide an array of services.
COVID-19 patients at risk of developing pancreatitis, study says
COVID-19 patients face an elevated risk of developing pancreatitis, according to a study conducted by a researcher at Little Rock-based University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Charleston Express reports.
Gut microbiota, managing inflammation may battle CRC
Altering microorganisms in the intestine and managing inflammation may prevent colorectal cancer, according to findings from Gainesville-based University of Florida researchers.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
Epic CEO Judy Faulkner's 5 predictions for healthcare post-pandemic
Epic CEO Judy Faulkner made five key predictions about healthcare during an interview with Business Insider.
CEO: Running Temple Health 'most challenging task I've ever had'
Mike Young, the CEO of Philadelphia-based Temple Health, said managing the system's cash-strapped safety-net hospitals is "the most challenging task I've ever had" in an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer.
ProMedica opens 58-bed Michigan hospital
Toledo, Ohio-based ProMedica opened its 58-bed hospital in Adrian, Mich., to patients Sept. 24.
National healthcare scorecard: Where does your state rank?
An analysis of state health system performance revealed Hawaii is the top-ranked state for access to healthcare, quality of care and other key measures.
HCA to scale back services at California hospital
West Hills (Calif.) Hospital, owned by Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, is closing its obstetrics program and neonatal intensive care unit Nov. 1.