Here are five things to know:
1. Under current laws, all procedures performed in ASCs must have same-day discharge, which means more complex surgeries must start early. However, under the bill ASCs would be able to keep patients for 24 hours.
2. Currently, 30 states allow ASCs to keep patients overnight and Florida is aiming to become the next. However, the bill does include an amendment requiring the Agency for HealthCare Administration to work with medical boards to ensure pediatric care would be administered safely in ASCs with the extended stay.
3. The Florida House is expected to bring a version of the bill, similar to the Senate version, to the floor during the 2018 legislative session. However, the House bill doesn’t include restrictions for pediatric patients.
4. The House bill also allows for “recovery centers” that could keep patients up to three days after surgery. The recovery center wouldn’t be able to perform ICU, coronary care or critical care services.
5. During prior sessions, the Senate has opposed recovery care centers and the current bill focuses just on 24-hour stays at ASCs.
More articles on surgery centers:
How office-based surgery centers stack up against ASCs, HOPDs
5 recent ASC acquisitions & partners
4 key points on appropriate patient selection for total joint replacements in ASCs
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.