Alfonso del Granado, the administrator of Covenant High Plains Surgery Center in Lubbock, Texas, spoke to Becker’s ASC Review on why he thinks case volumes are still lagging.
Here are the two reasons stalling the return to normal case volumes:
Alfonso del Granado:
1. Some patients still have concerns about having surgery while COVID-19 is around. This makes some sense since perioperative COVID-19 mortality and complication rates are dangerously high, and while the risks of infection are very low, the potential for suboptimal outcomes weighs heavily in their assessments.
2. While unemployment is improving, it has not returned to pre-COVID levels. Even those with jobs still suffer from job insecurity and want to hold onto their cash, especially given concerns about the government ending extended unemployment benefits.
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.