From regulatory roadblocks to volume declines, three ASCs have closed within a single month.
This rare spree of shutdowns cuts against the industry’s prevailing growth as health systems pour capital into ASCs.
Here are the three closures:
1. Catholic Health System is closing Sterling Surgical Center in Orchard Park, N.Y., citing declining patient volume, and relocating its surgical services to other ASCs in its network. Sterling Surgical Center, which opened in 2002 with a focus on outpatient ophthalmology and gastroenterology procedures, has seen volume decline to low levels over the past 12 months, Buffalo News reported May 30. Services will be consolidated at Catholic Health ASCs in Amherst, Cheektowaga and Lockport.
2. The Surgery Center of Southern Oregon in Medford will close June 30 after Asante and the surgery center withdrew their requests for both standard approval and an emergency exemption from Oregon Health Authority’s Health Care Market Oversight review, ending any path for Asante to become the facility’s sole owner.
3. Arkansas Valley Surgery Center in Canon City, Colo., permanently closed April 24. The AmSurg-affiliated ASC, which offered gastroenterology, bariatric, general surgery, urology, podiatry and orthopedic procedures, did not disclose a reason for the closure.
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.