The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how patients seek care and perceive hospitals, several reports and experts indicate.

San Francisco-based Dignity Health, a part of Chicago-based CommonSpirit, aims to develop a new medical office building with a surgery center, according to the Sacramento Bee.

ASCs were in line for substantial growth before the COVID-19 pandemic, and while patient volumes dropped to as low as 20 percent in April, recovery has been swift and the growth opportunities emerging from the pandemic are significant. 

Surgery Partners is one of the largest ASC chains in the U.S. with more than 180 locations nationwide.

Kingsport, Tenn.-based Holston Medical Group opened MeadowView Surgery Center June 22 and completed its first cases soon thereafter.

Walgreens is testing a new type of store that cuts down on square footage and emphasizes the pharmacy. Internally, the pilot project is dubbed "Cooper," according to CNBC. 

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation June 30 suspending elective surgeries at hospitals in four more counties to ensure beds are available for patients with COVID-19.

ASC patient volumes are recovering as centers resume full operations across the U.S.

United Surgical Partners International, AmSurg and Surgical Care Affiliates are among the longest-lasting and largest ASC chains in the U.S.

Dan Murrey, MD, is a pioneer in the ASC industry and at the forefront of growing centers across the country as the chief medical officer of Surgical Care Affiliates.

Greene County, Ohio, commissioners passed a resolution ordering Xenia, Ohio-based Greene Memorial Hospital to reinstate several vital services at the hospital by Sept. 1, including reopening its surgery center, the Xenia Daily Gazette reports.

Nashville, Tenn.-based Surgery Partners disclosed it received $45 million in funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act in late April, Time reported.

The U.S. could face a shortage of between 54,100 and 139,000 physicians by 2033, according to new data from the Association of American Medical Colleges. The estimate is higher than AAMC's 2019 report, which projected a shortage of up to 121,900 physicians by 2032.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott halted elective surgeries June 25 in four of Texas' largest counties to preserve bed capacity at hospitals as COVID-19 numbers continue to surge in the state, local NBC affiliate KXAN reports.

While New Jersey ASCs understand the majority of requirements around restarting elective surgeries, some requirements that relate to COVID-19 testing have left centers feeling uneasy, roi-nj.com reports.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order June 25 to ensure beds are available for patients with COVID-19 as cases continue to spike in the state. 

OrthoNow in Doral, Fla., has seen strong demand since it reopened and is now operating 12-hour days, the South Florida Business Journal reports.

To help offset revenue losses attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, many hospitals have implemented pay cuts for staff, including physicians.

Columbus (Neb.) Community Hospital's surgical caseload has reached its full capacity to ensure its personal protective equipment reserves are not depleted, the Columbus Telegram reports.

Arizona hospitals aren't pausing their elective surgical programs yet, despite passing the 80 percent "safety" threshold on bed capacity that should have halted elective surgical cases, Arizona Public Media reports.