Supply Chain

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned healthcare providers of the risk of using reprocessed urological endoscopes after "numerous" reports of infection.

Here are six updates on the COVID-19 vaccine over the past week:

Cardinal Health's efforts to increase supply chain visibility is a critical step to combat the personal protective equipment shortages many ASCs are still experiencing a year into the pandemic. 

Leading healthcare solutions provider Henry Schein announced a new investment in Atlanta-based Stradis Medical, which will strengthen Henry Schein's focus on the ASC market. 

Medical device company DJO's investment in Insight Medical Systems is its latest move to break into the orthopedic ASC space.

For some ASCs, vendor relationships improved during the pandemic through representative communication and provision of alternatives to shortages. For others, factors like infrequent vendor availability have made supply acquisition more difficult.

Matthew Ewasko, administrator of Physicians Alliance Surgery Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo., faced challenges last year when the pandemic hit.

While personal protective equipment has been on the forefront of ASC supply chain challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, some centers are finding it difficult to acquire basic supplies as vendors focus on pandemic-related orders.

While the pandemic has strained ASC supply chain issues, Gregory DeConciliis, administrator of Boston Out-Patient Surgical Suites in Waltham, Mass., spoke with Becker's ASC Review on how to leverage good vendor relationships to solve issues. 

Here are five updates on the COVID-19 vaccine over the past week: