Question: What outside force do you see as the biggest disrupter of the ASC industry? Why?
Mark Mineo: The outside force that has been the biggest disruption has been the federal stimulus and the weekly increase to unemployment benefits.
It is hard to not only hire but retain positions and people when their salaries are close to or are superseded by unemployment, plus the stimulus. This is driving up the cost of these positions, which, in the past, tended to be lower-cost labor. Now positions that are licensed and or certified are making only a few dollars more than these positions [janitorial and sterile processing department] that require minimal or no education.
As the market continues down this road, it seems that more individuals are jumping around where more money is offered. This causes both instability and, again, more increase in costs.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.