Here are seven news updates for ambulatory surgery center leaders to know for March 9, 2015.
FDA: Do not cancel ERCP for patients in need.
The FDA released an updated statement on duodenoscopes and associated risk of infection. The Olympus duodenoscope model TJF-Q180V does not have FDA 510(k) clearance, but in its statement the FDA does not recommend cancelling ERCP procedures for patients in need. The device now has a pending 510(k) application, and the FDA does not plan to remove the device from the market for fear that such action could lead to a shortage of duodenoscopes.
Healthcare industry adds 24k jobs last month.
The healthcare industry contributed 24,000 of the overall 295,000 new jobs that were added in the U.S. last month, according to the most recent jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Within the healthcare industry, ambulatory healthcare services added the most new jobs, clocking in at 20,000. Click here to read the full report on Becker's Hospital Review.
100 physician groups call for CMS to have ICD-10 contingency plans in place.
The American Medical Association, along with 99 state and specialty physician societies, is requesting that CMS put in place contingency plans to mitigate potential disruption following the implementation of ICD-10. The physician groups are also asking CMS to consider how ICD-10 implementation will affect meaningful use and the Physician Quality Measurement System.
1st American to contract Ebola on U.S. soil sues Texas Health Resources.
Nina Pham — the first American to contract Ebola on U.S. soil at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas after treating an Ebola patient there — sued Texas Health Resources over the incident this week. Click here to read the full report on Becker's Hospital Review.
Demand for PAs on the rise.
There are approximately physician assistants in 66 percent of specialist settings and in 33 percent of primary care settings. Searches for PAs were up 177 percent between 2011 and 2012 to 2013 and 2014. Click here to read the full report on Becker's Hospital Review.
Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center opens outpatient pavilion.
Pomona (Calif.) Valley Hospital Medical Center opened the Robert and Beverly Lewis Outpatient Pavilion. The pavilion houses a number of outpatient services, including a surgery center. The surgery center is expected with begin performing procedures within the month. The center has 18 pre- and postoperative bays, as well as five surgical suites.
in2itive names director of revenue management.
Brandi Chesney recently became in2itive's new director of revenue cycle management. Ms. Chesney joined in2itive in 2012 and has nearly two decades of experience in the healthcare industry managing insurance, charge entry and other billing functions. She was also a successful ASC business office director.