Here are seven news updates for ambulatory surgery center leaders to know for May 21, 2015.
AAAHC IQI names Dr. Thomas James III, Donna Read Norton to board
The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care Institute for Quality Improvement named Thomas James III, MD, corporate medical director of health policy at AmeriHealth in Philadelphia and acting chief medical officer of the northern region, to the board. The board also elected Donna Read Norton, RN, MS, an experienced ambulatory surgery center leader, to the board. Read the full report on Becker's ASC Review.
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia officially opens ASC
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia officially opened its Specialty Care and Ambulatory Surgery Center in King of Prussia, Pa. The 135,000-square-foot facility replaces one of the hospital's existing facilities, with the addition of a new ASC. The ASC is staffed by CHOP's pediatric surgeons and pediatric anesthesiologists, as well as a full-time staff of pediatric nurses.
Healthcare costs up 6.3% for American families in 2015
According to a recent study from Milliman reported in Insurance Journal, healthcare costs are expected to rise 6.3 percent this year, with high prescription drug prices are the main cost-driver. The total costs — including payroll deductions and out-of-pocket expenses — for healthcare is up 43 percent this year over 2010; at the same time employer costs are up 32 percent. Read the full report on Becker's ASC Review.
Nathan Littauer Hospital opens Johnstown Endoscopy & Surgery Center
The hospital in Gloversville, N.Y., has opened the Johnstown (N.Y.) Endoscopy and Surgery Center, and will hold an open house for its new endoscopy center today. The open house will also give the hospital to a chance to introduce gastroenterology Luz F. Alvarez, MD. Dr. Alvarez recently joined Gastroenterology Specialists of Littauer.
HCA's ambulatory surgery division partners with Issio Solutions
Issio's solution predicts hourly patient volume and suggests proper staffing levels. The system integrates with an ASC's scheduling and payroll systems. Hospital Corporation of America's far west division will be the first to implement the Issio Productivity Manager. The far west division includes seven ambulatory surgery centers. Dakon Montgomery, vice president of operations for HCA's ambulatory surgery division, led the effort to implement the new solution.
North Hills Surgery Center begins offering price transparency
North Hills Surgery Center in Fayetteville, Ark., has started to offer price transparency for cash pay patients. The surgery center lists cash pay prices for a number of ENT, orthopedics, general surgery and endoscopy procedures on its website.
AmSurg stock hit a new 52-week high
AmSurg stock reached a peak of $68.69 on May 18, after opening at $66.31, marking a new 52-week high of a move of 3.02 percent. The trading marked AmSurg's market cap at $3.31 billion. Volume on the 52-week high was 309,118, and the stock has a float of 48.41 million shares, averaging a daily volume of $397,081.