Patsy Newitt

The ASC industry is becoming increasingly consolidated, but physicians still are opening ASCs independently, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Just over half of gastroenterologists feel fairly compensated, according to Medscape's 2021 Gastroenterologist Compensation Report. 

Gastro Health was sold to private equity company Omers, according to a May 19 release. 

More than 99 percent of patients strongly agreed or agreed that they felt safe at the New Jersey-based ASC they visited, according to a study released by the New Jersey Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers.

Palo Alto Medical Foundation's Surgery Center Mountain View (Calif.), a Sutter Health affiliate, completed its first outpatient total joint replacement, according to a May 18 release. 

A joint venture between Texas Orthopaedic Associates Fort Worth and Vaquero Ventures purchased medical real estate to house the orthopedic practice and an ASC, according to a May 17 release.

The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association named several board members and a treasurer, according to a May 14 release. 

In the first half of 2020, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, gastroenterology and dermatology were among the hardest hit, according to an analysis of Medicare physician spending by the American Medical Association.

For reasons varying from COVID-19 concerns to job insecurity, many patients still are opting out of elective surgeries. 

Six of Surgery Center Services' planned ASCs are ophthalmology-based, CEO Philip Blair told Becker's ASC Review.