Webinar Recording: COVID-19 Updates for ASCs

Has the decision been made to increase the use of regional anesthesia over general to save ventilators for those who need them?

At this time, ASCA has not seen official guidance that includes that recommendation. For more anesthesia-related recommendations, see these recommendations from the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

Is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) placing penalties on ASCs that remain open to perform elective surgeries?

ASCA is not aware of a penalty component to the CMS guidance on elective surgeries. However, ASCs should check their state legislation as many states have passed emergency legislation. See ASCA’s State Guidance on Elective Surgeries page for state-specific information.

What recommendations do you have for ASC staff and physicians who have traveled by plane? Is there a number of days the employee or physician should not be at the surgery center after traveling?

Please review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidance regarding travel on its Coronavirus Disease 2019 page.

What are your thoughts on rapidly decreasing personal protective equipment (PPE)? Is there any posted information that can assist healthcare providers in the ASC?

ASCs need to continually monitor their supply of available PPE. The CDC’s website also has information regarding PPE on its Coronavirus Disease 2019 page.

How do we report closures to our accrediting organization?

You will need to contact your own accrediting organization and find out what information is needed. You should also attempt to contact state authorities to see if your state imposes any additional requirements.

We are an ophthalmology-only ASC. We have several second eye cataract cases scheduled for next week that we are trying to decide how to handle (first eyes were done this week). Any advice on how to proceed?

For information regarding scheduling and performing procedures, visit ASCA’s COVID-19 Resource Center. You will also need to check with your state as some states have issued emergency executive orders.

My pain physicians want to continue to do their procedures since their patients would be using opioids, but their procedures have not been mentioned. What are your thoughts on this?

FFor information regarding scheduling and performing procedures, visit ASCA’s COVID-19 Resource Center. You will also need to check with your state as some states have issued emergency executive orders.

Should we be taking inventory of the resources we can contribute to support community-wide COVID-19 response efforts and submitting data to our state?

ASCA has developed a checklist ASCs can download and use to record and share information about the resources and capacity they can provide immediately if federal, state or local officials, or even local hospitals in your market, request it. We encourage all ASCs to complete that form as soon as possible.

When will the Small Business Administration have all declaration areas updated in relation to COVID-19? Right now, I can't apply for a loan because our state and county are not listed.

The most complete information on these issues is available on the US Small Business Administration's website