As more complex procedures migrate from hospitals to ambulatory surgery centers, advanced therapeutic endoscopy is emerging as a potential next frontier.
But bringing these procedures into the outpatient setting requires more than new equipment or additional operating room time. Anesthesia coverage, staffing and reimbursement remain significant barriers, even as ASC leaders see opportunities to treat more patients outside the hospital.
Peter Bravos, MD, division vice president and chief medical officer, joined Becker’s to discuss the next procedures Sutter Health is interested in shifting to the outpatient setting.
Question: Which procedure are you looking to bring into your center over the next two years, and what’s the biggest obstacle?
Dr. Peter Bravos: Advanced therapeutic endoscopy, including endoscopic ultrasound, mucosal resection and submucosal dissection. These procedures remove precancerous and early cancerous tissue from the GI lining without surgery, and many patients receiving them in the hospital do not need a hospital level of care. The biggest obstacle, however, is anesthesia. These cases run longer, often require deep sedation or general anesthesia, and carry bleeding and perforation risks. Most endoscopy centers were built for moderate sedation and fast turnover. Equipment, trained staff and lagging reimbursement add to the challenge. The centers that succeed will treat advanced endoscopy as a new service line, not a longer colonoscopy.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.
