Ambulatory Surgery

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OIG announces new initiatives for ASCs

Editor's Note The US Department of Health & Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released its 2016 Work Plan announcing new initiatives for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), the ASCA News Digest reports. The initiatives include: Review the appropriateness of Medicare’s methodology for setting ASC payment rates. Revitalize outdated…

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By: Judy Mathias
November 18, 2015
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Disaster planning exercises prepare ASCs to care for patients and assist communities

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are taking a new look at the question of disaster response. Staff are not always informed about what emergencies might occur, or what they should do in response to the most likely scenarios. Likewise, many local emergency management agencies are not even aware of the ASCs…

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By: Paula DeJohn
November 18, 2015
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Joint Commission commemorates 40th anniversary of ambulatory care accreditation

Editor's Note The Joint Commission is recognizing 40 years of accrediting ambulatory healthcare organizations with an online repository featuring photos, testimonials, and interviews with customers, staff, and surveyors. The ambulatory program covers a wide variety of organizations, including ambulatory surgery centers, cath labs, clinics, and imaging centers. Since 1975, the…

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By: Judy Mathias
November 11, 2015
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Connecticut voters unaware of new 6% tax on ASC procedures

Editor's Note When polled earlier this month, 79% of Connecticut voters did not know a 6% tax on ambulatory surgery center (ASC) procedures had been implemented as part of their new state budget, the West Hartford News reports. The tax, to be paid by service providers, could push 25% of…

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By: Judy Mathias
November 11, 2015
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‘Post hospital syndrome,’ risk for readmission in ambulatory surgery patients

Editor's Note A condition known as “post hospital syndrome” (PHS) is a significant risk factor for readmissions in patients who undergo elective ambulatory surgery, this study finds. Post hospital syndrome (PHS) is defined as having been hospitalized within 90 days before surgery. During hospitalization, patients are often sleep deprived and…

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By: Judy Mathias
November 11, 2015
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Joint Commission, CDC collaborate on infection prevention in ambulatory settings

Editor's Note The Joint Commission and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are collaborating on an initiative to adapt, enhance, and disseminate CDC infection prevention guidance in a variety of free-standing and ambulatory healthcare settings. The Joint Commission will select and work with 12 outpatient-focused professional organizations and…

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By: Judy Mathias
November 5, 2015
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Medicare releases 2016 final ASC payment rule

Editor's Note On October 30, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final 2016 payment rule for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). ASC payment rates will increase by 0.3%, which is based on a projected inflation rate of 0.8% minus a 0.5% productivity adjustment required by the Affordable…

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By: Judy Mathias
November 2, 2015
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Surveyors reveal how to get credit for credentialing

Credentialing of physicians and other independent practitioners is facing increased scrutiny from surveyors, professional associations and, in some cases, the public—not necessarily because of compliance failures but because healthcare legislation and technology improvements have made the process a conversation topic. Thus it may be a good time to review the…

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By: Paula DeJohn
October 28, 2015
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Same day surgery process for total joints

Editor's Note Thomas King, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at the Knee, Hip & Shoulder Center, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, has developed a process for total knee and hip replacements that allows many patients to leave the same day after surgery. He uses a combination of a minimally invasive technique, regional anesthesia,…

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By: Judy Mathias
October 14, 2015
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Price increases much lower in ASCs than hospital outpatient departments

Editor's Note For six outpatient surgical procedures, prices paid to ASCs grew in line with general medical prices, whereas prices paid to hospital outpatient departments for the same procedures climbed sharply, this study finds. Private insurers paid ASCs considerably more than Medicare for the same procedures. Medicare pays ASCs a legislated…

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By: Judy Mathias
October 14, 2015
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