ASC Communications, Inc.

12 ASC MANAGEMENT 71% of ASC Staff Approve of EHRs: 6 Survey Findings By Mary Rechtoris T he majority of ASC, clinic and urgent care staff view EHRs positively, a SelectHub survey found. Here are six survey findings: 1. Among staff members working in an ASC or urgent care clinic, 71 percent said they view EHRs positively. 2. is figure is slightly below satisfaction among hospital personnel where 92 percent of staff members approve of EHRs. 3. Eighty-six percent of private practice employees view EHRs positively. 4. Ninety-five percent of nurses view EHRs in a positive light, slightly more than 88 percent of technicians. 5. Among physician assistants, 71 percent approved of EHRs. 6. Switching to an EHR system reduced the number of hours staff worked with health records weekly by only 1.1 hours. n Former Virginia Eye Center Administrator Indicted in Embezzlement Case: 5 Things to Know By Laura Dyrda A federal grand jury indicted Williamsburg, Va.- based Cullom Eye and Laser Center's former ad- ministrator for alleged embezzlement, according to the Williamsburg Yorktown Daily. Here are five things to know: 1. Cullom Eye and Laser Center employed Sherea Darnell as administrator from March 2012 to September 2016, during which time she is accused of embezzling around $500,000 from the center. She is charged with wire fraud, bank fraud and filing false tax returns in addition to unau- thorized access to a device, according to the report. 2. During her time as administrator, Ms. Darnell had ac- cess to two business credit cards to purchase supplies and office equipment. However, she allegedly used the cards for personal purchases including private school tuition for her son and maid services. 3. Court documents reveal more than $90,000 in cash advancements were made on the eye center's credit cards while Ms. Darnell had access to them. 4. Ms. Darnell resigned from her post in September 2016 and moved out of state. Center owners examined bank accounts more closely after her resignation and noticed large payments were made to the office cards. 5. In this case, Ms. Darnell faces penalties of 30 years on each bank fraud case, 20 years on each wire fraud case and three years for filing false tax returns, according to the report. n Investors Turn to ASCs, Urgent Care Centers as Hospital Demand Declines: 5 Things to Know By Mary Rechtoris H ospitals, insurers and employers looking to thrive in the competitive healthcare landscape are eye- ing surgery centers and urgent care centers as a means to provide quality care at a reduced cost, accord- ing to Fox Business. Here are five things to know: 1. Many hospital operators are investing in ASCs as hos- pital demand drops. American Hospital Association data shows Tenet Healthcare's hospital admission have either remained stagnant or dropped between 1 percent and 3 percent for the majority of quarters since late 2015. 2. RBC Capital Markets Managing Director Frank Morgan, a hospital analyst, told Fox Business ASC investments prove to be an essential strategy to appeal to patients who are looking for lower cost options. 3. UC Berkeley researchers found employees and retirees with California Public Employees' Retirement System insurance paid between $2,500 and $5,000 less when having cataract surgery and knee arthroscopies at ASCs as opposed to hospitals. 4. Hospital Corporation of America Chairman and Chief Executive Milton Johnson said the company plans to open 120 freestanding urgent care centers by the end of 2017. This figure is a 40 percent increase in new facilities since 2015. 5. Over the past five years, HCA's market share in Nash- ville increased from 32 percent to 35 percent. HCA added three ASCs, four freestanding emergency rooms and 10 urgent care centers during that time. n

• Cover