Editor's Note This industry report from HST Pathways provides an in-depth analysis of key trends and operational benchmarks for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in 2024, offering actionable insights for nurse leaders. Based on data from 590 ASCs and nearly 3 million patient visits, the report highlights both achievements and persistent…

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Editor's Note United Surgical Partners International Inc. has agreed to pay $1.48 million to settle a proposed class action alleging its 401(k) plan charged excessive fees and included costly investment options, according to a motion filed in Texas federal court, Law360 January 6 reports. The settlement resolves a lawsuit brought…

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Editor's Note Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) on the part of hospitals and health systems are expected to increase in 2025, rebounding from a 13% dip over the past year, Modern Healthcare January 7 reports. However, newly empowered state oversight laws are likely to temper the scale and pace of activity,…

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Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its 2025 Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program data, showing strong participation among Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs), ASC Focus December 20 reports. Of the 6,012 facilities included in the list, 5,714 will receive the full Annual Payment Update…

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“Surgeons are the only people trained to provide surgery—life-saving care," says Carrie Zlatos, chief of legislative and political affairs at the American College of Surgeons (ACS). "They are an essential element of a community-based healthcare system. Regardless of where you live, everyone should have access to full quality surgical care.”…

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Perioperative leaders are entering a time of uncertainty after 2024 proved to be transformative for inpatient and outpatient surgical care. Last year saw important updates from The Joint Commission and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that emphasized improvements alongside ongoing challenges in safety, workforce shortages, reimbursement, and…

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Editor's Note Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield recently reversed its controversial plan to impose time limits on anesthesia coverage after intense backlash from the medical community, including anesthesiologists and patient advocates. The policy, aimed at curbing alleged overbilling, would have restricted payments based on average surgery times, a move critics…

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Editor's Note The Leapfrog Group has announced its 2024 Top Hospital and Top Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Award recipients December 17, honoring facilities for standout performance in patient safety and care quality. This year, the national employer watchdog organization named 134 hospitals and 31 ASCs as winners of the national…

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Editor's Note We’ve raised the bar—for the first time in 13 years, the OR Business Management Conference will feature a dedicated lineup of content specifically for ambulatory surgery center (ASC) leaders. Join an intimate gathering of ASC administrators, directors, and C-suite executives to dig deeper into financial, operational, and strategic…

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Editor's Note Demand for skin removal surgeries has risen sharply in the US, fueled by the popularity of GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, CNN reported December 9. The trend reflects a growing need for procedures that address loose, sagging skin following significant weight loss, particularly as the…

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