In a state where cases of COVID-19 are doubling nearly every three days, the New York State Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers is regularly communicating with its roughly 80 members to offer guidance, resources and leadership through the crisis.
Leadership
The American Medical Association is calling on the U.S. State Department to expand the physician workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic by opening visa processing for international physicians.
The nation's 5,800-plus ASCs — many of which have temporarily closed or limited services — could serve as treatment centers to slow the spread of COVID-19, several healthcare leaders say.
A number of ASCs have closed or suspended elective procedures as the COVID-19 pandemic continues upending day-to-day life for Americans.
The Florida Medical Association is lobbying Gov. Ron DeSantis to issue an emergency order addressing payment disparities between telehealth and in-person services following the suspension of elective surgeries in the state, Florida Trend reports.
Advertisement
Bedford (N.H.) Ambulatory Surgical Center CEO Nick Vailas said his surgery center has lost about 80 percent of its business due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Hampshire Union Leader reports.
Mankato (Minn.) Surgery Center administrator Joleen Harrison, BSN, RN, is working to mitigate shortages of protective medical equipment stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak, according to local outlet KEYC News Now.
Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Health Network implemented a no-visitation policy March 19 at its ASCs, outpatient clinics and hospitals, TribLive reports.
The CDC has advised all healthcare facilities to stay abreast of local and state public health recommendations to prepare for and manage outbreaks of COVID-19.
Legacy Surgery Center has a new nurse administrator, according to a March 16 announcement.