Here are seven things for ambulatory surgery center industry leaders to know for Dec. 22, 2014.
NECC founders charged in 2012 meningitis outbreak.
In 2012, The New England Compounding Center in Framingham, N.H., distributed products containing tainted steroids that led to a nationwide meningitis outbreak, and now 14 people are charged in the criminal case. NECC co-founders Barry Cadden and Glenn Adam Chin were accused of racketeering, resulting in 25 patient deaths, or murder. The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act was the federal law used against the two co-founders. Read the full report on Becker's ASC Review.
AAAHC Institute honors surgery center for quality improvement.
The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care Institute for Quality Improvement presented the 2014 Bernard A. Kershner Innovations in Quality Improvement Awards.St. Lucie Surgery Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla., won the 2014 surgical/procedural care award for reducing postoperative urinary retention.
Nueterra Global Alliances forges Canadian footprint.
Nueterra Global Alliance's international reach has extended to Canada. Mega Assistance Services will serve as NGA's Canadian ambassador. NGA and Mega Assistance Services will work with medical tourism provider MediTravel International to allow Canadian patients access to United States healthcare providers within the NGA network.
$7M joint venture surgery center opens in Maryland.
The University of Maryland Shore Regional Health and University of Maryland Medical System opened the $7 million Surgery Center at Queenstown (Md.) on Dec. 18. The new 11,000-square-foot facility will host gastroenterology, general surgery, orthopedic, pain management and urology procedures.
EndoChoice releases new slim colonoscope.
EndoChoice released the C38s, a slim colonoscope, which joins the company's portfolio of Fuse Full Spectrum Endoscopy products. The C38s has a 330-degree field of view and a large 3.8 mm instrument channel included in a slim profile endoscope.
Ohio receives $75M to test new medical billing model.
Four major payers, medical providers and the state of Ohio are working together to test a new healthcare billing model. CMS gave notice of a $75 million grant, doled out over four years, to get the program up and running. The program will target specific health conditions and related care. Cost estimates will be drawn up for various procedures and tests. Physicians will be rewarded for taking price and quality into account.
Public opinion of PPACA easily affected.
Although 60 percent of Americans have a favorable view of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's employer mandate, a recent Kaiser Health tracking poll revealed opinions of the health reform law provision can be easily swayed. Read the full report on Becker's ASC Review.