May/June 2021 Issue of Becker's ASC Review
ON THE COVER
530+ ASCs with total joint replacements
Here are 530+ ASCs wtih total joint replacements in 2021
10 factors that can make or break an ASC in the next 2 years
The pandemic affected ASC case volume and operations in several ways in the last year, with some centers adapting while others are struggling to stay afloat.
The smartest thing 7 ASC execs did last year
Last year the pandemic forced many ASCs to close or limit surgical volume, but enterprising administrators took the time as an opportunity to evaluate their growth strategy, improve culture, acquire new technology and become more efficient.
'Newsweek' ranks America's Best ASCs in 25 states
Newsweek partnered with global research firm Statista to identify the 400 best ASCs in 25 states with the most facilities.
ASC finances in 2021: 6 observations
ASC owners and operators faced challenges last year when elective surgeries were limited across the U.S.
Is the future bright or dark for independent ASCs?
ASCs have given surgeons and patients a safe environment for surgeries during the pandemic, but the centers suffered financially when case volumes were limited last spring.
14 states with highest average pay for physicians and surgeons
Physicians in Maine receive the highest average compensation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics' occupational employment statistics survey.
Feds eye $147M paid to ASC, clinic owner for uninsured COVID-19 patient treatment
A California surgeon's medical practice and ASCs received about $147 million in government funds meant for facilities treating uninsured COVID-19 patients, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.
The biggest threat to physician ownership — 3 physicians share
Self-employed physicians continue to face risks as new physicians tend to gravitate toward the benefits of employed models.
Dr. Jeffrey Carlson performs 3-level lumbar fusion at Virginia ASC
Jeffrey Carlson, MD, performed a three-level lumbar fusion on a 37-year-old patient at Newport News-based Coastal Virginia Surgery Center.
ASC MANAGEMENT
Amazon's healthcare moves: 7 notes for ASCs and physicians
Amazon is a big force in healthcare and has made significant changes in the past 12 months that could affect physician practices and ASCs.
Cardiology group sues SSM Health for $50M over lost hospital privileges: 5 details
St. Louis Heart and Vascular sued SSM Health March 31 to prevent it from entering into an exclusive contract with another cardiology provider for adult services, according to a report in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Dr. Jeffrey Carlson performs 3-level lumbar fusion at Virginia ASC
Jeffrey Carlson, MD, performed a three-level lumbar fusion on a 37-year-old patient at Newport News-based Coastal Virginia Surgery Center.
Largest health insurers by state
Nearly 11.5 million people purchased health insurance in 2020 through a state marketplace, also known as individual health insurance, according to ValuePenguin, a resource for consumer financial decisions.
Montecito acquires 2 MOBs occupied by 14-physician spine group
Nashville, Tenn.-based Montecito Medical Real Estate has acquired two medical office buildings in Texas, which are occupied by Tyler-based Precision Spine Care, REjournals.com reported March 4.
ADMINISTRATOR THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
The smartest thing 7 ASC execs did last year
Last year the pandemic forced many ASCs to close or limit surgical volume, but enterprising administrators took the time as an opportunity to evaluate their growth strategy, improve culture, acquire new technology and become more efficient.
14 states with highest average pay for physicians and surgeons
Physicians in Maine receive the highest average compensation, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics' occupational employment statistics survey.
The biggest threat to physician ownership — 3 physicians share
Self-employed physicians continue to face risks as new physicians tend to gravitate toward the benefits of employed models.
Florida cardiology group expanding with ASC
Cardiology practice Florida Heart Associates is building an ASC in an expansion and renovation of its central facility in Fort Myers.
Did the pandemic change ASC-hospital relationships?
During COVID-19 surges last year, ASCs and hospitals worked together in new ways to care for patients across the U.S.
JOINT VENTURES
14-physician orthopedic group joins OSF Healthcare
Peoria, Ill.-based Great Plains Orthopedics is expanding its practice to OSF HealthCare's St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg, Ill., The Register-Mail reported March 25.
PE GI, New Jersey endoscopy center acquire new ASC
PE GI Solutions and North Bergen, N.J.-based Ambulatory Center for Endoscopy acquired Hudson Bergen Medical Center, ACE's second location, which has been renamed Hudson Bergen Endoscopy and Surgical Center.
University Hospitals, ValueHealth plan orthopedic surgery center
Cleveland-based University Hospitals and ValueHealth are developing a joint-venture ASC in Lorain County, Ohio, that will be able to perform 800 total joint replacements a year.
US Orthopaedic Partners acquires 2 Mississippi practices
U.S. Orthopaedic Partners acquired Jackson Anesthesia Pain Centers and Oxford Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, the platform announced March 2.
MpowerHealth invests $7M toward orthopedic value-based programs
Over the past two years, Addison, Texas-based MpowerHealth has invested more than $7 million to develop data analytics and information technology to support clinically integrated networks in Texas, Ohio and Georgia, among other states.
GASTROENTROLOGY
Do top GI hospitals ranked by U.S. News have better outcomes?
Patients needing gastrointestinal cancer resections should consider undergoing procedures at high-volume regional medical centers like the top-ranked hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.
What's on the horizon for GI? 2 physicians weigh in
Shifts to telemedicine and changes in colorectal cancer screening have some gastroenterologists thinking about how their practices will evolve in the near future.
PE-backed One GI acquires 26-physician Ohio practice — 6 details
Memphis, Tenn.-based One GI has acquired Dayton (Ohio) Gastroenterology, the second- largest independent GI practice in the state, the Dayton Business Journal reported March 24.
Two GIs on the biggest threats to gastroenterology
Misunderstandings of Cologuard and shifts in reimbursement are some concerns gastroenterologists have for the field. Two GIs told Becker's ASC Review what they feel are the biggest threats to gastroenterology.
Ohio woman granted $10.3M verdict after botched colon surgery
An Ohio woman won a $10.3 million jury verdict more than four years after an Ethicon Endoscopy stapler malfunctioned during surgery.
ORTHOPEDICS
Employed vs. independent orthopedic surgeon pay in 5 big cities
Orthopedic surgeons in independent practices report higher compensation than their counterparts employed by hospitals, and in some areas the gap widens as physicians gain more experience.
US Orthopaedic Partners acquires 2 Mississippi practices
U.S. Orthopaedic Partners acquired Jackson Anesthesia Pain Centers and Oxford Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, the platform announced March 2.
Rothman Orthopaedic Institute opens flagship New York office
Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedic Institute opened its flagship office in New York City.
3 orthopedic practices targeted by hackers in the past year
Cybersecurity breaches are becoming more common among physician practices in addition to hospitals and health systems. In 2020, healthcare data breaches increased 55.1 percent to 599, with 37 out of 50 states reporting more breaches in 2020 than in 2019.
Michigan orthopedic group reports breach that exposed 28,658 patients' information
Mendelson Kornblum Orthopedic and Spine Specialists, a 21-physician practice in Livonia, Mich., recently notified patients that certain health information could have been exposed in a cyberattack.
HIP ARTHROPLASTY
UnitedHealth: Moving total joints to ASCs could yield $3B in annual savings
Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealth Group on Dec. 10 published new research touting the major advantages of moving routine joint replacements from hospitals to ASCs.
Boston hospital performs 1st augmented reality-guided total hip replacement
Orthopedic surgeons at Boston-based New England Baptist Hospital performed the first augmented reality total hip replacement at a hospital.
How 2 Tennessee orthopedic practices are capitalizing on total hips
Memphis, Tenn.-based providers Campbell Clinic and OrthoSouth jumped on CMS' decision to allow ASCs to perform outpatient total hip replacements, the Memphis Business Journal reported Jan. 20.
Anterior hip replacements gaining steam
Anterior hip replacements are increasing in popularity as a less invasive procedure than traditional open hip surgeries, according to a report in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Dr. Brian Silvia marks 1,500th robot-assisted joint replacement
Brian Silvia, MD, PhD, completed his 1,500th robot-assisted joint replacement surgery, the Telegraph Herald reported April 13.
HEALTHCARE NEWS
54% of providers changed contactless payment strategy amid the pandemic
The pandemic forced healthcare providers to modernize their revenue cycle practices and offer more digital options, and patients want that trend to remain, according to survey results released March 23 by InstaMed, J.P. Morgan's healthcare billing and payment company.
Feds eye $147M paid to ASC, clinic owner for uninsured COVID-19 patient treatment
A California surgeon's medical practice and ASCs received about $147 million in government funds meant for facilities treating uninsured COVID-19 patients, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.
Tennessee hospital abruptly closes
Jellico (Tenn.) Medical Center closed March 1, days after the city council voted to send a contract termination notice to the hospital's operator, Rennova Health, according to TV station WBIR.
Spectrum Health ends probe of insensitive Instagram posts, takes 'corrective action'
Spectrum Health said it has concluded its investigation and taken "corrective action" after photos taken in operating rooms accompanied by insensitive comments were posted to an Instagram account linked to 35 medical residents at the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based system.
Viewpoint: Physician exodus from North Carolina system is a win for patients
Dozens of physicians have decided to part ways with Asheville, N.C.-based Mission Health, but the Association of Independent Doctors says the change could be good for physicians and patients, according to WLOS.