7 Things for ASC Industry Leaders to Know for Thursday

Carrie Pallardy -

Here are seven news updates for ambulatory surgery center leaders to know for June 19, 2014.

ACO numbers exceed 600.
As of May 2014, there are 626 accountable care organizations in the United States, according to the Growth and Dispersion of Accountable Care Organizations June 2014 Update by Leavitt Partners. The total number of lives covered under these ACOs has grown to over 20 million.

U.S. healthcare ranks last among 10 peers.
The United States' healthcare system consistently underperforms compared to 10 other countries — Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom — and ranks last overall. Read the full report on Becker's Hospital Review.

Rex Healthcare joint venture ASC contested.
Raleigh, N.C.-based Rex Healthcare, a subsidiary of UNC Healthcare, plans to open a joint venture ambulatory surgery center in Wakefield, N.C., but Novant Health, based in Winston-Salem, N.C., has voiced strong opposition. The project is expected to be reviewed by the state's Department of Health within the next few months.

AAAHC CEO John Burke to retire.
John E. Burke, PhD, president and CEO of the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, announced he will retire in June 2015. Dr. Burke has been with the organization for 18 years.

Physicians Endoscopy to open joint venture endoscopy center in North Carolina.
After three years of legal struggle, the Greater Gaston Center will open in Gastonia, N.C., in December or earlier. The endoscopy center is a joint venture between Physicians Endoscopy and five gastroenterologists.

Laser Spine Institute to open three new ASCs.
Laser Spine Institute, based in Tampa, Fla., will open ambulatory surgery centers in Cincinnati, Cleveland and St. Louis before the end of the year. The expansion will increase the number of United States residents living within a 250 mile radius of Laser Spine Institute facilities by 50 percent.

Oregon Outpatient Surgery Center treats first veteran through free surgery program.
Oregon Outpatient Surgery Center in Bridgeport has performed its first free surgery in its "Save Our Veterans" surgery program on Evan Johnson, 32, an Iraq veteran.

More Articles on ASC Issues:
The Brave New World of Healthcare: What Does the ASC Landscape Look Like?
34 Hospitals & Health Systems Planning, Opening ASCs in 2014
The Future of ASC M&A: 5 Key Factors Driving Activity

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