Tacoma Ambulatory Surgery Center to Close Today

Tacoma Ambulatory Surgery Center is handling its last seven outpatient surgeries today, after a decision to close down driven by increased competition in the community, according to a News Tribune report.

The 30-year-old independent surgery center has experienced increased pressure from lower medical reimbursements, the recession, and Tacoma's two major health systems. Over the last two years, the number of surgeries performed at the center has dropped by half, according to administrator Jason Forbes.

TASC has gradually decreased its employment from 32 to 12 as the number of operations dropped. The center's leadership decided two weeks ago to close the center permanently.

© Copyright ASC COMMUNICATIONS 2012. Interested in LINKING to or REPRINTING this content? View our policies by clicking here.