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Between 2011 and 2023, the total number of Medicare-certified ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in the United States steadily climbed, reflecting the nationwide shift toward outpatient care. This growth wasn’t explosive in a given year, but rather a sustained increase of a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%, translating to a jump from 5,217 to 6,087 Medicare-certified ASCs.
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VMG Health (05/08/24)
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Download This Free Policy and Save Yourself The Hassle
Potential HIPAA breaches are among the most common compliance risks — are you confident your organization’s employees know what to do?
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On this week’s audio update, ASCA Director of Information Systems Jason Hawkins provides a behind-the-scenes look at the process of developing the new ASCA website, from initial member consultation to its launch this past fall. He also provides an overview of several of the website’s most popular features and previews additional enhancements currently in development. |
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ASCA Content (05/14/24)
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A cyberattack on the Ascension health system operating in 19 states across the U.S. forced some of its 140 hospitals to divert ambulances, caused patients to postpone medical tests and blocked online access to patient records. An Ascension spokesperson said it detected “unusual activity” Wednesday on its computer network systems.
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Associated Press (05/11/24) John Hannah
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When starting or expanding an ASC, efficiency is critical.Opening or expanding a successful ASC takes more than medical expertise. Establishing efficiencies from the start-operational, financial and procedural-is also critical to building a healthy bottom line.Learn how our dedicated team’s expertise, full-service support and comprehensive portfolio of category-leading products may help uncover efficiency and performance.
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Tomorrow, May 15, is the last day to submit Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program data for measures ASC-1, ASC-2, ASC-3, ASC-4, ASC-9, ASC-13 and ASC-14. ASCs must submit 2023 data via the Hospital Quality Reporting secure portal.
The next quarterly data submission deadline for ASC-20: COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Health Care Personnel is also tomorrow, May 15. This data must be reported via the National Healthcare Safety Network.
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ASCA Content (05/14/24)
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Healthmark Offers Steriking® Tyvek® Packaging Steriking® Tyvek® is designed for optimal use in low temperature sterilization methods, including VH202, EtO and Irradiation. It’s available in Heat Seal, Self-Seal and Rolls. They are designed to offer high resistance to penetration by contaminating microorganisms, to peel open cleanly with a minimum of fiber tear and allows quick passage of sterilizing gas and accompanying moisture vapor.
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Last Friday, Dr. Stephen Leffler, president and chief operating officer of the University of Vermont Medical Center, posted an open letter to the community to encourage support for a $130 million outpatient surgery center UVMMC wants to build on Tilley Drive in South Burlington, revealing he gets calls and letters every week from patients "who say they are waiting too long for care, especially surgical care." The Outpatient Surgery Center is a "big piece" of the answer for these long-suffering patients, according to Leffler.
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Burlington Free Press (05/08/24) Dan D'Ambrosio
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Thank you to everyone who came out and joined us in Orlando for the ASCA 2024 Conference & Expo! If you attended the conference, be sure to request your continuing education (CE) credits online via ASCA’s Education & Events Portal or through the ASCA Meetings app. The deadline to request CE credits is June 30.As a reminder, you must complete evaluations for the sessions you attended before you can request CE credits. |
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ASCA Content (05/14/24)
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Echoing warnings from the American Medical Association (AMA), Medicare trustees warned today that the physician payment system has failed to keep up with the cost of practicing medicine and that failure could hinder seniors' access to health care. "This report continues the drumbeat of recommendations that all point out that the payment system is failing patients and physicians," said AMA President Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D., MPH.
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AMA News Release (05/06/24)
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Subscribers to ASCA’s 2024 Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey will be able to access their first quarter (Q1) reports beginning tomorrow. To access your facility’s report, log in to the survey portal and select the “Run Reports” tab. Not yet subscribed? Keep your ASC on track for success in 2024 and beyond by subscribing to the 2024 Clinical & Operational Benchmarking Survey today. |
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ASCA Content (05/14/24)
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According to a new study, colorectal cancer cases are on the rise in younger people. The greatest increase is among children ages 10 to 14, where cases have increased by 500 percent.
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Healthline (05/09/24)
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The U.S. emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2023 and healthcare systems adjusted to the longer-term consequences on the utilization of health services, medicine use, and total expenditure on vaccines and therapeutics. As we examine the past year and look to the future, new areas of interest — most notably treatments for obesity and the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act – have come to the fore and command attention.
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IQVIA (05/07/24)
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About ASCAMission: The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) is the national membership association that represents ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and provides advocacy and resources to assist ASCs in delivering high-quality, cost-effective ambulatory surgery to all the patients they serve. About Us: At ASCA, we are eager to help you become better acquainted with our nation's ASCs and the people who own and operate them. We are also eager to help you develop policies on ASC-related issues. If you have questions, please contact us. We'll put you in touch with the experts and, if you like, arrange for you to visit an ASC in your area. Contact Us: Advertising inquiries should be addressed to Chris Schriever or Alex Yewdell at 202.337.1897 or at advertising@ascassociation.org. Follow ASCA on
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