This includes total shoulder replacements, thanks, in part, to updates in Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) policy that added 11 CPT codes to its ASC-approved list. This reflects a recognition of the capabilities of ASCs to provide high-quality, specialized care in a more patient-friendly environment; expanded services are a trend that has taken hold over the past year as a result of increased access.
For physicians, ASCs offer several advantages. ASCs allow for more streamlined workflows, enabling surgeons to schedule and perform procedures with greater flexibility and efficiency. This flexibility can lead to improved work-life balance for physicians and greater control over their surgical practices. The streamlined nature of ASCs can also reduce administrative burdens, allowing healthcare providers to focus more on patient care and less on bureaucratic processes.
Patients, too, stand to benefit significantly from the growing prevalence of ASCs. With outpatient procedures, patients return home on the same day, avoiding the need for overnight hospital stays. Moreover, ASCs often provide a more personalized care experience, as they often focus on a narrower range of procedures compared to full-service hospitals. This specialization may lead to better patient outcomes and higher levels of patient satisfaction. Lastly, ASCs tend to be more logistically accessible for patients.
The broader healthcare system also benefits from the expansion of ASCs as the burden on hospital resources is lessened, which is especially important during times of high demand or public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, when hospital beds and other resources are in short supply.
This shift towards ASCs represents more than just a change in the venue; it’s a significant transformation in the landscape of orthopedic care. ASCs are increasingly being equipped with advanced technologies that have improved their ability to handle even the complex procedures that were once the exclusive domain of inpatient hospital settings – with a smaller surgical footprint.
For example, newer technologies like augmented reality (AR) systems are miniaturized and improved navigation systems, displaying key alignment data in the surgeon’s field of vision. They deliver advanced navigation capability in a form factor that is three orders of magnitude smaller than a robotic system. These systems are ideal for ASC settings that demand cost-effective pricing, low disposable costs, a space-saving footprint, and simplified workflows for multiple indications. Enovis’ ARVIS® Augmented Reality System is commercially available for hip and knee replacement procedures and is currently in limited market release for shoulder replacements.
These advances are revolutionizing what is possible in ASCs, allowing centers to offer a broader range of procedures with enhanced safety, efficiency, and patient outcomes. As a result, ASCs are becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional inpatient surgeries, offering high-quality care in a more convenient and cost-effective setting. As this technological transformation continues, ASCs are poised to play a central role in the future of healthcare delivery, expanding access to advanced surgical care and improving patient experiences across the board.
