Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1312132
11 ASC MANAGEMENT The biggest threat to ASCs today By Eric Oliver A SCs continue to rise in national prominence as the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated migration of procedures to the outpatient setting. Despite the prominent growth, ASCs still face threats from thin profit margins and payer reim- bursement. Here, two ASC administrators shared insights into what they viewed as the biggest threat to ASCs today: Note: Responses were edited for style and content. Earl Anderson, CEO of Tennessee Orthopaedic Clinics in Knoxville: Without a doubt, the greatest threat to ASCs is the inability of leadership to change the culture to allow expansion of service lines and to flex with payer strategies. In orthopedics, ASCs must be nimble enough to accommodate cases such as total joints and certain spine procedures. is involves making physical changes, like expanding operating room size, staffing adjustments, and work- ing with physician partners and payers to initiate creative, value-based payment models that benefit the patient, providers and payers. Physician groups such as ours are also developing methods by which we identify the appropriate ASC surgical candidates. So, in actuality, the greatest threat actually provides the greatest opportunities, and ASCs must prepare to take advantage of them. Kim Halladay, DPM, administrator at North- Pointe Surgical Center in Tooele, Utah: Underpay- ment for the amount of money we are saving insur- ance companies. Medicare has documented that ASCs saved them $4.6 billion from 2016 to 2020, yet we have to run at such a thin margin that it threatens our future. n The 11 specialties that haven't recovered from COVID-19 By Eric Oliver W hile most outpatient specialties have recovered from COVID-19-related delays, some are still struggling, accord- ing to a study from Commonwealth Fund. The study compared patient volumes from late February to those from early October. Researchers compiled the data using Phreesia, software that helps practices with the patient intake process. Re- searchers analyzed data from more than 1,600 provider organiza- tions, representing 50,000 providers across the U.S. Here are 11 specialties where patient volumes decreased, for the week of Oct. 4: Pulmonology: -20 percent ENT: -17 percent Behavioral health visits: -14 percent Cardiology: -10 percent Allergy/Immunology: -10 percent Neurology: -8 percent Gastroenterology: -5 percent Endocrinology: -4 percent Orthopedics: -3 percent Rheumatology: -2 percent Pediatrics: -2 percent n Surgical Care Affiliates promotes nurse leader to senior position: 3 details By Angie Stewart D eerfield, Ill.-based Surgical Care Affiliates installed Jennifer Jacobson, BSN, RN, as senior clinical manager in July, the company confirmed to Becker's ASC Review. Three things to know: 1. Ms. Jacobson was promoted to senior clinical manager July 20. She previously led operations at Denver-based DTC Surgery Center, an SCA affiliate. 2. As senior clinical manager, Ms. Jacobson's primary responsibilities will include providing clinical strategic support through collabora- tion and mentorship to centers, as well as supporting accreditation and regulatory compliance, safety initiatives and integration of new facilities. 3. Ms. Jacobson brings 17 years of ASC experience to the position, including a tenure as an ASC nursing director. n