ASC Leader 
In its 2026 Final Payment Rule, CMS added 573 codes to the ASC Covered Procedures List (ASC-CPL). It’s a big win for the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) and its advocacy efforts. Kara Newbury, JD, ASCA’s chief advocacy officer, first and foremost views the rule through the lens of Medicare…
Fierce Healthcare reports that Ascension’s $3.9 billion deal to acquire AmSurg, which operates more than 250 ASCs in 34 states, will enable the nonprofit system to enter 25 new markets and strike new partnerships with independent physicians and other health systems, according to remarks by its new president and CEO…
At many ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), “doing more with less” is an existential situation. Can artificial intelligence (AI) help alleviate the situation? That’s what Emily Spooner, president and owner of ASC consulting and management firm Marisa Consulting, will explore in her session “AI-powered insights to boost efficiency and margins in…
The promise of quicker recovery and fewer complications from sedation, anesthesia, and pain management have drawn clinicians and patients alike to procedures performed in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and other outpatient settings. However, sedation, anesthesia, and analgesia add their own risks to those of the procedure itself. Understanding the latest…
Pressure to contain opioid overuse in the United States is at a boiling point. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that overdose deaths linked to opioid prescriptions have increased fivefold over the last two decades. To reduce reliance on opioid prescriptions, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services…
When considering educational needs in an ASC, you may have an advantage over your hospital peers. Many ASCs have specialty-specific physicians and patient populations, whereas other ASCs will have a more diverse physician group and patients. Regardless of facility specialty, employees are likely to have multiple generational learning styles. All surveying…
Each year, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) adapt to numerous federal regulatory policy reforms. As an example, since 2012, when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched the Ambulatory Surgery Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program ASCs had been asking for, ASCs have reported data for a changing set of…
Amazing how fast the year has gone. It feels like I just finished the blog to say, “welcome,” and now I am taking a moment to wish you all a very happy holiday season. And now, more than ever, this blog is meant for all ambulatory surgery center leaders (whether…
The safety officer plays an important role in helping a healthcare facility maintain a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors. The person in this role should complement the safety plan in helping to reduce risk. Responsibilities of the safety officer include assisting in staff safety education, monitoring the environment,…
