Despite ASCs growing role in the healthcare landscape, many leaders feel the ASC industry remains widely misunderstood, even among healthcare professionals.
To shed light on some of the most persistent misconceptions, Becker’s spoke with five ASC leaders about the outdated perceptions of ASCs.
Editor’s note: These responses were edited lightly for clarity and length.
Question: What’s something about ASCs that you think is commonly misunderstood — even by other healthcare leaders?
Ashley Hilliard, RN. Administrator of Piedmont Outpatient Surgery Center (Winston-Salem, N.C.): I have found that there are many people, even some in the healthcare industry, that don’t understand how the ASC space has evolved over the years and how we are a safe, efficient and cost friendly option to the hospital setting. Patients nowadays can have spine and complex orthopedic caseslike total joint replacement in a comfortable setting and still receive the same high level of care as a hospital. Surgeries that, even five years ago, would have been done in the hospital are being performed routinely in the ASC setting with remarkable outcomes.
Christopher Merhan. Administrator of Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Woodforest (Montgomery, Texas): Well-negotiated managed care contracts are critical to the revenue of ASCs, especially de novo centers.
Alicia Perrine. Administrator at Riverwalk Ambulatory Surgery Center (Bradenton, Fla.): I believe it is a common misconception that ASCs are slower-paced and easier to manage. There are days when our facility can turn more than 40 cases from beginning to end. ASCs can resemble a well-oiled machine in terms of efficiency. However, there are still challenges that present themselves when serving such a high volume of patients. ASCs have metrics, goals and quality indicators that must always be achieved regardless of the case volume — which requires continuous, applied effort from everyone at the center.
Lori Sylvester. Administrator of Riverside Outpatient Surgery Center (Columbus, Ohio): ASCs have been coming under more external oversight with the increase in cases at ASCs both from insurance carriers and regulatory agencies. Consequently, ASC administration, although small, handles the same regulatory and accreditation standards as a hospital. In addition, administrators must understand rules around human resources, financials, coding, billing, payroll, legal, quality and accreditation etc. Administrators juggle many balls in the air to assure compliance through contract negotiation and oversight of contractors. However, on a positive note, ASCs are more agile and can implement positive changes quickly. Associates understand they must wear many hats as well and this corresponds to a more cohesive team.
Michael Warne. CEO at Associated Gastroenterologists of Central New York (Camillus, N.Y.): People sometimes underestimate how committed ASCs are to quality care and clinical excellence. The setting is more intimate than a hospital, and that really builds a strong team dynamic. Everyone — from nurses to support staff — is invested in what we’re doing. It’s not just doctors or administrators paying attention to things like ADR or withdrawal times. The whole team understands why those quality measures matter, and we all work together to improve them. It’s not about hitting numbers for corporations — it’s about doing what’s right for the patients, and that’s something we all take seriously.
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