Author: Francesca Mathewes

On Aug. 1, CMS released the nearly 3,000-page final rules on reimbursement and other inpatient issues, according to an Aug. 7 blog post by Coronis Health. 

Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare's CEO, Saum Sutaria, MD, sold more than 100,000 shares of his stock in the company, Investing.com reported Aug. 19. 

Colonoscopy demand is on the rise, and some ASCs and endoscopy centers are seeking new avenues to meet the growing need for qualified staff. 

Recently, U.S cancer screening costs hit $43.2 billion annually. Screening colonoscopies accounted for $23.7 billion, or 55%, of that cost. All other colorectal cancer screening methods, such as stool and blood tests, accounted for only $3.8 billion.  

Students at Texas A&M University School of Engineering Medicine are combining sports and ophthalmology to create new developments in officiating for the National Football League, MedicalXpress reported Aug. 15.  

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled Aug. 15 that it would not take up an appeal by U.S. Anesthesia Partners' to block the FTC's antitrust lawsuit against them, according to Reuters. 

A newly introduced bipartisan bill, the Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act,  aims to loosen restrictions on physician-owned hospitals. 

The successful performance of a robotically assisted, minimally invasive direct vision coronary artery bypass graft surgery at Modesto, Calif.-based Doctors Medical Center is thought to be the first of its kind in the region, reported the Escalon Times Aug. 15.

Certificate-of-need laws have long been controversial among ASC leaders. CON laws require healthcare systems to receive special approval from state governments to expand or build new facilities, and they vary state-to-state. 

Staffing shortages have been a persistent issue across ASCs and hospitals alike. Here are five things to know about the ongoing crisis: