Patsy Newitt

Surgery Center Services of America opened the Epic Surgery Center in Scottsdale, Ariz., the company's CEO Philip Blair said Nov. 7. 

Northern Light Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine, will conduct a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for children ages 5 to 11 at its surgery center, local station WMTV reported Nov. 8. 

Aurora Health Care’s new ASC and medical office building in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., was recognized in ​​the first Lean In Design Awards program by the Lean Construction Institute. 

Orthopedic Ambulatory Surgery Center of Chesterfield (Mo.) snagged Lync Healthcare Partners as a private equity partner. 

Value-based care and bundled payments have become more popular in ASCs as a way to lower the cost of services. 

ASCs are recognized by many payers as high-quality, cost-effective sites of service, but some centers are still struggling to secure reimbursements. 

Excela Health plans to build a $12 million ASC in Connellsville, Pa., next year, Pittsburgh Business Times reported Nov. 3. 

Forty-five ASCs in Florida made Newsweek's ranking of America's Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers 2022.

Excelsior Orthopedics is moving forward with its $6.2 million, two-phase expansion on an ASC affiliate, the Buffalo (N.Y.) Surgery Center, Buffalo Business First reported Nov. 4. 

Here are six COVID-19 updates from the past week that ASC leaders need to know: