Here are 25 healthcare industry updates for healthcare leaders to note for September 2017.
Tennessee ASC performs 1st implantable eye telescope procedure in US
Memphis, Tenn.-based Ridge Lake Ambulatory Surgery Center surgeon Subba Gollamudi, MD, completed the first eye telescope implant procedure in the nation.
Tenet CEO Trevor Fetter to step down
Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare Chairman and CEO Trevor Fetter is stepping down from his CEO and director positions. He will step down either when the company appoints a successor or on March 15, 2018.
KKR to finance Covenant Surgical Partners acquisition through $195M loan
Private equity firm KKR secured a $195 million loan for its Covenant Surgical Partners acquisition. The loan's structure includes a $150 million tranche, which will be funded when the buyout closes. It also includes a $45 million delayed-draw tranche.
Facing shareholder pressure, Tenet leadership weighs sale
The Wall Street Journal reports Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare is exploring several strategic options including the possible sale of its hospital company. Tenet is working with investment banks Lazard and Barclays to arrange meetings with possible buyers.
Miami eye center ordered to pay patient $13M following cataract surgery complications
A Miami jury ordered Leon Medical Centers to pay a patient $13 million after the patient suffered cataract surgery complications causing him to lose vision in his right eye.
Investors turn to ASCs, urgent care centers as hospital demand declines
Hospitals, insurers and employers looking to thrive in the competitive healthcare landscape are eyeing surgery centers and urgent care centers as a means to provide quality care at a reduced cost, according to Fox Business. American Hospital Association data shows Tenet Healthcare's hospital admission have either remained stagnant or dropped between 1 percent and 3 percent for the majority of quarters since late 2015. For more on this story, click here.
Former ASC employee charged with 2nd-degree manslaughter after stealing morphine, administering fatal injections to ASC surgical assistant
A surgical assistant at Mansfield Center-based Connecticut Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Center and a former colleague entered the center after hours and stole morphine for personal use, which eventually led to the surgical assistant's death last year, according to NBC Connecticut. Now, the former colleague has been charged with second-degree manslaughter for her role in the surgical assistant's death. Click here to learn more on this story.
University Orthopedics building facility with ASC in Rhode Island
Providence, R.I.-based University Orthopedics is expanding through a new 88,500-square-foot building in East Providence, R.I. The four-story building will include an ASC in addition to exam rooms, treatment rooms, an MRI and an X-ray.
Research finds Vermont CON regulations lower quality of care
Fairfax, Va.-based George Mason University researchers found Vermont's strict certificate-of-need laws increase costs and restrict healthcare access for state residents.
Capitol Pain Institute receives investment to expand practice, ASC
A New State Capital Partners affiliate made a significant investment in Austin, Texas-based Capitol Pain Institute to support the expansion of its practice and surgery center.
Illinois health system opens new surgery center
Edward-Elmhurst (Ill.) Health opened a $3.1 million health center dedicated to gastroenterology, internal medicine and family medicine. It has 10 exam rooms, a procedure room, an endoscopy suite and four preoperative and postoperative recovery rooms.
Operations resume at Crane Creek Surgery Center following Hurricane Irma
Melbourne, Fla.-based First Choice Healthcare Solutions released a statement saying none of its seven facilities — including Melbourne, Fla.-based Crane Creek Surgery Center — experienced structural damage in the wake of Hurricane Irma, and that all facilities were, once again, open.
The Center for Advanced Healthcare at Brownwood to house ASC
The Villages (Fla.) Health and Anchor Health Properties are opening a multispecialty building that will include an ASC and rehabilitation surgery center.
Nobilis Health acquires DeRosa Medical for $915k
Houston-based Nobilis Health acquired Phoenix-based DeRosa Medical, a trio of primary care practices, for $915,000. DeRosa Medical specializes in health and wellness, with a focus on medically supervised weight loss and chronic health condition management.
Billing Clinic expands to new space
Billings (Mont.) Clinic Facial Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa expanded to a new space, also in Billings. The center offers patients both cosmetic and medical procedures for the neck and face.
Surgery Center of Oklahoma partners with HMO
Oklahoma City-based Surgery Center of Oklahoma is partnering with health maintenance organization GlobalHealth. As per the agreement, the surgery center will offer their services and all-inclusive pricing to GlobalHealth's members.
Envision creates COO, EVP position to focus on physician-centric strategic plan
Envision Healthcare is making several organizational and leadership changes to align with the company's dive into a physician-focused strategic plan. The company created the new executive vice president and COO role.
50% of gastroenterologists are burnt out
Medscape's "Gastroenterologist Lifestyle Report 2017" found 50 percent of gastroenterologists reported feeling burnt out in 2017. Across all specialties, burnout rate was at 51 percent.
The Joint Commission awards Paris Surgery Center TJR certification
The Joint Commission awarded Paris (Texas) Surgery Center its gold seal of approval for total knee replacement. The center is a joint venture between a group of physicians and SurgCenter Development.
Allegion Spine Institute, ASC join Back Pain Centers of America
Atlanta-based Back Pain Centers of America added Las Vegas-based Allegion Spine Institute, formerly Nevada Spine Clinic, to its network. The Allegion Spine team has performed 95,000-plus procedures over the past 20 years.
National Association of Medicaid Directors unanimously opposes Graham-Cassidy healthcare bill
The National Association of Medicaid Directors released a statement unanimously disapproving of the healthcare bill introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La. The coalition believes the rushed proposal does not have enough time to complete a full vetting process, citing the lack of a Congressional Budget Office score.
Cincinnati Eye Institute opens new ASC
Cincinnati Eye Institute opened a new ASC and performed the first surgery there last week.
CASA recognizes 7 ASCs
The California Ambulatory Surgery Association awarded seven 2017 CASA Awards for ASC Excellence. Monterey (Calif.) Peninsula Surgery Center was recognized as the organization's ASC of the Year.
Colorado officials approval new hospital; ASC plans coming down pipeline
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment granted Longmont, Colo.-based UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital a license to operate. The 210,000-square-foot facility opened its doors Aug 31. The hospital anticipates opening an adjoining ASC this month.
Seaside Surgery Center CEO, medical director named surgery chief at Florida hospital
Naples-based Landmark Hospital of Southwest Florida appointed Robert Zehr, MD, chief of surgery. Dr. Zehr is an orthopedic surgeon with 25 years of experience. He specializes in complex joint reconstruction and rehabilitation.