Maine hospital cuts eye surgeries: What ASCs should know

Brewer, Maine-based Northern Light Health has cut several eye surgeries from Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine, Bangor Daily News reported March 26.

Advertisement

Amy Kenney, EMMC director of marketing and communications said in a statement to Becker’s that the decision, which was made earlier in March, does not affect pediatric eye care or retina medical care and surgeries. She also said it “does not mean eye care is closing, but rather is making some changes to better position for the future.” 

The dropped procedures include cataract, glaucoma and oculoplastic surgeries.

“Today, many surgical eye care procedures can be, and are being, done in outpatient centers and don’t require the more sophisticated services of a tertiary medical center like EMMC,” Ms. Kenney said.

Ms. Kenney declined to the Bangor Daily News’ request to comment on whether physicians or other employees were laid off or have left their jobs to work elsewhere.

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.

Register to Attend Webinar

Unlocking Structural Heart Capacity: How Leading Programs Use EMR and Data to Improve Patient Flow and Throughput

Wednesday, August 19
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT

Presenters: Katie Kennedy, MSN, APRN, NP-C, Community Heart and VascularMisty Theriot, BSN, RN, CPHQ, FACC, Lake Charles Memorial Health SystemKatie Worthington, DNP, RN, Atlantic Health SystemTaryn Shipley, MBA, CSSBB, Lean HealthTech

Advertisement

Next Up in Ophthalmology

  • East Lansing-based Michigan Surgical Center has disclosed a data breach that may have exposed personal information, according to a July…

  • Cincinnati-based MidWest Eye Center welcomed Alec Bradley, MD, an ophthalmologist who specializes in premium cataract surgery, refractive surgery, microinvasive glaucoma…

Advertisement

Comments are closed.