Supply Chain

Here are five supply chain updates for ASC leaders to know:

ASC supply chain strategy is always evolving, but the pandemic exposed challenges and gaps in previous systems. Here's how two administrators are planning for this year:

At one time it might have been surprising to find out that an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) functioned without an in-house Sterile Processing Department (SPD). Today, it's common to see centers survive and even thrive without them.

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.