Washington, California, Oregon and New York have announced vaccine mandates for state employees or healthcare workers as COVID-19 surges nationwide. 

ASC administrators in many states are working overtime as they brace for hospital spillover due to rising COVID-19 hospitalizations. 

The staffing crisis has made it difficult for many independent ASCs to recruit, but for Santa Cruz (Calif.) Surgery Center, improving benefit packages and increasing coverage has allowed them to compete. 

ASCs have to balance the often diverging needs of patients, providers and payers to produce quality outcomes. 

MedStar Surgery Center at Timonium (Md.) relies on a positive environment and adding service lines to remain competitive.  

In a recent press release, Regent Surgical Health announced they appointed Rusty Strange to serve as its new Chief Information Officer and Melissa Szabad, a partner with Chicago law firm McGuireWoods and the Company’s outside counsel, will be joining as General Counsel.

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are surging again, with hot spots primarily in southern states like Texas, Louisiana and Florida, according to The New York Times' Aug. 6 data.

COVID-19-spurred staffing shortages still are affecting many ASCs nationally. 

The ASC industry is going through big changes, with several exciting federal government and payer policy changes that could drive surgery center growth. But there are also big roadblocks that stymie progress for ASCs and could force surgeons to sell their centers in the short term.

About 25 percent of physicians have made plans for early retirement during the pandemic, according to a Medscape survey, and several others say they have considered leaving medicine.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the nation’s shift to outpatient settings for surgical care, and demand is increasing.

Surgical patients have become increasingly selective when choosing their ideal treatment environment. Rather than relying on medical referral alone, patients choose ASCs based on personal recommendations, social media, and search engine results.

ASC leaders are navigating extensive industry shifts — from the recent surge in COVID-19 cases to CMS removing 258 procedures from the ASC payable list. 

Large retail and big tech companies are developing healthcare clinics across the U.S. Where do their employed physicians and clinicians refer patients who need specialists or surgery?

Surgical Care Affiliates' former director of revenue cycle operations, David Wilson, joined Therapy Brands as vice president of revenue cycle management, according to a July 27 release. 

Pacific Heights Plastic Surgery in San Francisco now requires staff and patients to have the COVID-19 vaccine before entering the facility.

Lawrence Parrish has served as the administrator of his orthopedic center for more than 15 years. 

For Northern Arizona Healthcare in Flagstaff, strategic leadership models can propel growth. 

ASC leaders must juggle multiple roles and responsibilities to keep their centers running.

Some independent ASCs took a hit during the pandemic without the leverage to secure reimbursements and necessary supplies.