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40 OUTPATIENT SURGERY 5 highlights from a USPI center's first months in operation By Angie Stewart S ince its first surgical case in April, Surgery Center of Boerne (Texas) has averaged 100 to 150 cases a month, according to Kristal Reser, director of the sterile processing department, community outreach and public relations. Five highlights: 1. Ms. Reser joined the Surgery Center of Boerne in March. The ASC, which features three operating rooms, recorded its first surgery April 16. 2. During a survey, The Joint Commission found no deficiencies in the sterile processing department led by Ms. Reser. 3. Surgery Center of Boerne is affiliated with Ad- dison, Texas-based United Surgical Partners Inter- national and San Antonio-based Baptist Health System. 4. Nina Davis, RN, is the ASC's administrator. She leads a team of six orthopedic surgeons, one gen- eral surgeon and one gastroenterologist. 5. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held July 11. n Orthopedic, spine practice plans to open 3 Arizona offices — 3 details By Angie Stewart T he Less Institute — a Hollywood, Fla.-based practice offering neurosurgery, spine and orthopedic services — plans to open three offices in Arizona, according to Marketing Director Esther Rodriguez. Three details: 1. The marketing team is in the process of setting up offices and securing surgery center space in Arizona. 2. The Less Institute currently has locations in Flor- ida, as well as one location in New Jersey and one in Jamaica. 3. It was founded by orthopedic spine surgeon Kingsley R. Chin, MD. n 3 orthopedics-focused ASCs recently opened or expanded By Rachel Popa H ere are three orthopedics-focused ASCs that were opened or expanded in September: 1. Construction on Prime Surgical Suites, an orthopedic ASC in Granite Falls, N.C., has wrapped up. 2. Bellin Orthopedic Surgery Center in Green Bay, Wis., complet- ed a 13,000-square-foot expansion. The surgery center, which now includes nearly 150 employees, plans to build another 45,000-square-foot clinic and surgery center in Fox Crossing, Wis. 3. Albuquerque, N.M.-based Presbyterian Healthcare Services is advancing two surgery center projects through its pipeline. The health system is moving one center, staffed by New Mexico Orthopaedics, to its Kaseman Hospital campus. The health sys- tem is also constructing a larger ASC that will continue to focus on orthopedics and podiatry. n Physician practice market becoming a sellers' market By Eric Oliver E dgemont Partners' founding partner, Jeff Swearingen, elaborated on the current state of merger and acquisi- tion activity in the physician practice market. Here's what he said: 1. "It's becoming a seller's market. Valuations are strong and there's still a lot of demand for good practices, especially in gastroenterology, vision care, women's health and fertility and orthopedics," Mr. Swearingen said. 2. Uncertain reimbursement practices, burdensome administra- tive duties, the capital demands related to technological invest- ment, and physicians' desire to return to practicing medicine are driving consolidation. 3. Mr. Swearingen said that while private equity investors, hos- pitals and other consolidating forces remain active in the mar- ketplace, the election presents an unknown element. He said: "It's hard to say how healthcare services will play out in the elec- tion. In our view, if you want to sell, you should consider starting the process soon, with the goal of closing by the middle of next year. Right now, it's a good time to be selling." n