MUNDELEIN, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, there are more than 6,000 ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in the United States. This is nearly the same as the number of hospitals. ASCs provide a great opportunity to improve surgical patient outcomes and satisfaction while running an efficient business with more financial returns to the physician. And as regulatory issues continue to challenge the healthcare industry, new ASCs are expected to open.
There isn’t a textbook that outlines all the steps involved in effectively opening an ASC, but there are important steps to follow to get an ASC off the ground. Medline, a medical supplies distributor and manufacturer that provides solutions to ASCs so they can run an efficient and cost-effective operation, shares four critical tips to consider.
Partnerships: There are a variety of different “partners” to consider when developing a physician-owned ASC. This includes hiring a healthcare attorney who specializes in ambulatory surgery centers and has experience with reimbursements and regulatory requirements. Additionally, hiring an administrator and nurse manager from the very beginning will allow these individuals to work through the process and help develop an ideal surgery center.
Reimbursement: Most new ASC facilities are not profitable for a year or two after opening their doors. Becoming Medicare certified can take several months, so the process should be started as soon as possible. There are several necessary forms and reports to submit to become certified. Visit CMS.gov or your accreditation service to begin the application process.
Accreditation: Accreditation is an ongoing quality process to help ASCs put into place and maintain effective and efficient policies. Accreditations mandate specific standards and may be mandatory or voluntary depending on the state. ASCs can receive accreditation from the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF), the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) and The Joint Commission. A new ASC might benefit from onboarding someone who can maintain detailed records that are required for accreditation.
Policies and Procedures: Systems must be in place to ensure that the staff is performing and completing tasks that meet regulatory standards. Think of policies and procedures as one big rulebook that reflects state and federal regulations, as well as accreditation standards. It is important to keep up with developments and changes to these rules and standards because they often go through revisions as new information and studies are released.
To learn more about the state of ASCs in America today, Medline recently talked to leading industry experts about their predictions for the future of the industry. Check out the Q&A at Medline’s “The Voices of Healthcare” blog by visiting http://mkt.medline.com/advancing-blog/seven-essentials-to-understanding-todays-ascs/.
Interview opportunities to discuss these tips in more detail are available with Josh Carter, senior vice president of sales for the ambulatory surgery center division at Medline. Contact srubenstein@medline.com to schedule a conversation.
About Medline
Medline is a global manufacturer and distributor serving the healthcare industry with medical supplies and clinical solutions that help customers achieve both clinical and financial success. Headquartered in Mundelein, Ill., the company offers 350,000+ medical devices and support services through more than 1,200 direct sales representatives who are dedicated points of contact for customers across the continuum of care. For more information on Medline, go to www.medline.com or http://www.medline.com/social-media to connect with Medline on its social media channels.
