10 numbers making ASCs nervous

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From ballooning staffing budgets to physician burnout, here are 10 statistics weighing heavily on ASC leaders:

1. Nearly half (49%) of ASCs not using an electronic health record cite cost as the main barrier. Of those still on paper charts, 68% plan to stay put until required to switch — up from 59% in 2023, according to the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association’s July 2025 60-Second Survey.

2. More than three-quarters of physicians feel health systems aren’t doing enough to address “quiet quitting,” according to a Sermo survey of 600 physicians.

3. In 2023, 43% of ASCs reported operating budgets of $3 million or more, up from 32% in 2022,  according to a survey from OR Manager.

4. Nurse turnover was reported by 35% of ASCs in 2023, up from 15% in 2014 but down from a COVID-19 pandemic peak of 49% in 2021.

5. Nearly half of physicians say they work with an incompletely staffed team at least 25% of the time, according to a May 2025 JAMA Internal Medicine report. 

6. More than 40% are considering leaving their roles within two years, citing long hours, administrative burden and pay concerns, according to an August report from the American Medical Association.

7. ASCs spent 26.3% of operating revenue on drugs and supplies last year. That averages $634 per procedure, according to data from EDM Medical Solutions.

8. Becker’s has reported on four ASC closures  so far this year.

9. Sixty-seven percent of hospitals and health systems now prefer to own at least 50% of their ASC joint ventures, up from 64% in 2023, according to Avanza’s Intelligence Hospital Leadership ASC Survey.

10. Drug expenses were up 9% year over year in February, according to Kaufman Hall’s “National Hospital Flash Report” released April 8. Compared to 2022 year to date, drug expenses per calendar day grew 15%.

At the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference, taking place June 11-13 in Chicago, spine surgeons, orthopedic leaders and ASC executives will come together to explore minimally invasive techniques, ASC growth strategies and innovations shaping the future of outpatient spine care. Apply for complimentary registration now.

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