Here are four ASC controversies Becker’s has reported on in the last month:
1. Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Hand & Plastic Surgery Centre, which does business as Elite Plastic Surgery, reported a data breach affecting 19,846 individuals. Elite Plastic Surgery detected an unauthorized party attempting to access its computer network Jan. 29. An investigation revealed that the compromised information may have included names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, health insurance details and protected health information.
2. The Urology Center of Colorado, based in Denver, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy Feb. 13 in the wake of a $1 million lawsuit from an Iowa-based data security company. The center, known as TUCC, abruptly closed last summer as the first step in the bankruptcy process. One patient reportedly wrote in a Yelp review that their appointment was “cancelled without warning.” An undated message on TUCC’s website reads:
“After 18 years of dedicated service to the Denver community, we are announcing the closure of The Urology Surgery Center of Colorado. It has truly been a privilege to care for you and your families during this time.”
According to the BusinessDen, just two weeks before filing for bankruptcy TUCC and its former CEO John Tillett, MD, were sued by Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based Ark Data Centers, a data security company that stored TUCC’s data. The lawsuit seeks $1 million in unpaid bills and accuses Dr. Tillet and the company of perjury and fraud, according to the report.
3. Sturm Cosmetic Surgery, an ASC in Ames, Iowa, has closed for unknown reasons. A notice pinned to the front door of the center said that the center is no longer accepting patients. All upcoming surgical appointments have also been canceled. The center’s website is no longer active and has been scrubbed of all information. It remains unclear why the practice closed.
The facility was operated by Lindsay Sturm, MD, whose license remains active, according to the report. Dr. Sturm is currently entangled in a pair of malpractice lawsuits that have alleged negligence. Additionally, Tonya Becker, RN, a former employee the center has filed a lawsuit against her former employer alleging retaliatory discharge, age discrimination and sexual harassment.
4. Customer refund checks totaling $55,831 have been stolen from a surgical center in Transfer, Pa. Approximately 107 checks were then taken to a First National Bank branch, where they were deposited and money withdrawn. According to a report, the woman who withdrew the funds worked as a customer payment processor at the surgery center. She deposited the first check Jan. 30, 2024, and the last on Oct. 15.
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