Surgical robots increase efficiency during total joint replacements, but the cost of such robotic systems can be prohibitive. 

Atlanta-based EyeSouth Partners partnered with Cincinnati-based Midwest Eye Center, expanding into Ohio and Kentucky, the platform announced Jan. 11.

A slight increase in healthcare union petitions was reported in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Jan. 11 report from NPR.

Here are four hospitals and health systems that opened or announced plans for ASCs in December:

Matthew Kraay, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Cleveland-based University Hospitals, told Becker's ASC Review what he believes surgeons will need to succeed with outpatient total joint replacements in 2021.

Tenet is moving away from high-cost, lower margin hospitals and deepening its portfolio of lower cost, higher margin ASCs.

Doximity noted physician compensation grew the highest in Providence, R.I., over in the last year.

A developer is building a pair of medical office buildings in Leander, Texas, that could house an endoscopy center and gastroenterology clinic owned by Austin Gastroenterology, Community Impact reported Jan. 8.

Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente is developing a $500 million facility in Seattle, but the COVID-19 pandemic altered what may be in the final development plan, the Puget Sound Business Journal reported Jan. 10.

Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute is developing a 371,000-square-foot healthcare facility in Orlando, Fla., that'll feature an outpatient surgery center, Rebusinessonline reported Jan. 8.

Flagship Healthcare Trust acquired Panama City (Fla.) Surgery Center, its second acquisition in the state within the week, the firm announced Jan. 4.

The average salary for medical coding professionals varies by location, practice setting and credential.

Nearly half of independent physicians think consolidation in healthcare is inevitable, according to a survey from McKinsey & Co., but the overwhelming majority of small and independent practice owners believe they should fight to stay independent. Physician-owned ASCs face similar pressures to merge with larger organizations to survive, especially amid the pandemic. Here are thoughts from six ASC industry leaders about consolidation.

Towson, Md.-based SurgCenter Development is scouting locations in Maryland to develop an ASC.

Orthopedic surgery in ASCs has continued to accelerate over the past year. Looking ahead in 2021, Becker's ASC Review asked surgeons what they think is needed to thrive in the outpatient total joint replacement space.

Using Medscape's "Physician Compensation Report" from 2018-20, here is how physician model participation evolved over three years: 

Physician leaders have become integral to today’s rapidly changing healthcare environment, acting as a bridge between providers and administrators in the healthcare system.

Pinnacle GI Partners partnered with Michigan Gastroenterology Institute and Capitol Colorectal Surgery on Jan. 8, just slightly over a month after its formation.

Longview, Texas-based Christus Good Shepherd Health System broke ground on an $8.5 million cardiovascular center of excellence Jan. 7, the Longview News-Journal reports. 

Santa Cruz County in California suspended most elective procedures at hospitals and ASCs in the county starting Jan. 7.