Same-Day Surgery – September 1, 2005
September 1, 2005
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Surgery center inspections compared to taco trucks and come up short
Taco trucks are inspected twice a year in California, while ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are inspected an average of once every 12 years in that state. That eye-catching news introduced a Washington Post story published in July that went on to say that under federal rules, surgical centers across the country are required to be inspected once every six years, but many are not. -
Medicare to increase hospital rates by 3.2%
Hospital-based outpatient surgery departments will receive a 3.2% inflation update in Medicare payment rates in 2006 under a proposed Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). -
Plan carefully before adding new procedures
Can you imagine spending almost three years renegotiating a payer contract? Thats exactly what the administrator did at Amherst-based Ambulatory Surgery Center of Western New York, with the help of a consultant. -
Perform financial analysis before adding cases
When adding new procedures at your facility, performing a financial analysis is a critical step. -
Same-Day Surgery Manager: Cell phones, rude staff, other problems addressed
What is a good policy on cell phones in the operating room environment? We have phones going off all over the place in here. I find it very distracting! -
Ensure clean claims for maximum payment
Wrong code. Out-of-date referral. Inaccurate patient information. All three of these items are simple pieces of information that can cause big problems for your same-day surgery program because they all lead to denials of your claims. -
Surgery centers report financial benchmarks
The average net income per case reported by participants in a Midwest benchmarking study 2005 Midwest Ambulatory Surgical Center Benchmark and Salary Survey ranged from $94.31 to $307.20 per case, with the average total operating expense ranging from $528.84 to $1,241.23. -
Baxter recalls infusion pumps
Baxter Healthcare Corp. in Deerfield, IL, is recalling all models of its Colleague Volumetric Infusion Pumps because they can shut down while delivering medication and fluids to patients. -
JCAHO expectations for 2006 patient safety goals
Organizations accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations can see detailed implementation expectations for the 2006 National Patient Safety Goals on its web site.