The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the long-awaited final revision of the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) conditions for coverage (CfCs) on Oct 30, 2008. The CfCs spell out the rules for ASCs participating in Medicare. They were issued as part of a larger rule that includes updates…

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Two things are true about information technology: It is critical for organizations to succeed, or even survive, and it is expensive. For one small ambulatory surgery center (ASC) striving to meet financial and growth objectives, ingenuity proved to be the answer. At The Center for Special Surgery at Texas Center…

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By passing then overriding President Bush's veto of legislation that would have reduced Medicare payments to physicians, Congress demonstrated an often-forgotten fact citizen voices can make a difference. On July 15, the House voted to reinstate HR 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. The act…

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Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are preparing to join hospitals, physicians, and other health care providers in reporting quality data to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Though it's unlikely ASC quality reporting will be required in 2009, ASCs need to start preparing, according to David Shapiro, MD. He…

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Average annual salary and total compensation By number of ORs Annual salary Total compensation <5 ORs $76,300 $87,800 5+ ORs $90,500 $109,800 By ownership Hospital owned $87,800 $101,900 Physician owned $73,400 $83,400 Corporate owned $84,200 $98,200 Joint venture $84,200 $103,900 By title Administrator/admin director $91,200 $108,600 Clinical director $80,000 $92,700…

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Managing an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) entails more than delivering patient care and keeping the facility well equipped and supplied. It also means managing the people who work there—a delicate proposition for results-oriented administrators who may find themselves in charge of employees with a wide range of technical and social…

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The staffing news for OR nurse leaders in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) is good. The number of open positions is down for RNs and unchanged for surgical technologists (STs) compared to 2007, with the turnover rate lower for both. Still, recruitment difficulties remain. Those are some highlights from the 18th…

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If certain proposed rules regarding Medicare conditions for coverage (CFC) take effect, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) will face more complex—and some say unfair—regulatory criteria. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to release final rules later this year, to take effect in January 2009. Until then, ASCs should…

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Many nurses at ambulatory surgery centers managed by Addison, Texas-based United Surgical Partners International (USPI) are sporting a new badge. It says, "We Care," followed by a promise to speak up if they see an error or potential error in treatment. It is a promise to patients and physicians. It…

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Medicare plans to step up quality reporting in 2009 for hospital outpatient departments. Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) would get a reprieve for 2009, as they did for 2008. A draft rule issued July 3 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposes 2009 updates for the outpatient prospective…

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