Hospitals have endured an undeniable decline within their GI outpatient procedural volume in the past 10-plus years as physicians sought alternate settings to perform their cases. This migration of GI procedures from HOPDs to ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and GI professional practice settings typically results in a dramatic decline in the overall GI service line market share once enjoyed by local hospitals. In addition, the loss of these outpatient procedures has a ripple effect within the hospital delivery system— numerous other ancillary services traditionally provided by the hospital, such as pathology and radiology, frequently disappear as physicians select alternative providers when their historical referral pattern (and loyalty) to the hospital is loosened. Add a comment Read more...