This Week in Surgery Centers

Quality data can be one of the most powerful tools an ASC has to improve both safety and operations. In this episode, Nina Goins, Executive Director of the ASC Quality Collaboration, explains how centers can use benchmarking data to uncover deeper operational issues, strengthen payer and board conversations, and build a stronger culture of quality. She also shares why measures like wrong-site events and unplanned hospital transfers matter so much, how ASCQC’s Safety and Quality Assessment can help centers benchmark best practices, and why a simple daily safety huddle can make a meaningful difference.In our news recap, we’ll cover the latest wave of ASC development, Leapfrog’s expansion of public ASC quality reporting, new research showing how outpatient surgery growth is creating uneven access across communities, and why anesthesia remains one of the biggest operational risks to ASC growth.Brought to you by HST Pathways

Sean Hartzell is a Managing Director at VMG Health, where he advises healthcare organizations on strategy and capital planning. Sean joins us this week to break down how ASC leaders should think about funding growth. He walks through the key differences between debt and equity, how to calculate the “true” cost of major investments beyond the upfront price, and what factors can make or break a new initiative.In our data segment, we’re talking all about spine. Spine is being called one of the fastest-growing ASC service lines, driven by a combination of CMS policy changes, payer pressure, and continued advancements in minimally invasive techniques. We’re going to spend the episode focusing specifically on spine ASCs and the potential opportunity for growth based on data-driven insights.Resources Mentioned:HST’s Specialty Data Report: SpineBrought to you by HST Pathways.

Jon Vick is the Founder and Principal of ASC Realty Advisors, where he has spent decades advising physicians and ASC operators on healthcare real estate strategy. Jon joins us this week to explain how ASC sale-leasebacks work and why they are becoming an increasingly relevant strategy for physician owners. He walks through how centers can use sale-leasebacks to fund de novo projects, expansions, and renovations without taking on additional debt, while also addressing common concerns around control and long-term value.In our data segment, we’re discussing OR block utilization and showing how increased usage can generate millions in revenue. We’ll use real podiatry stats as an example, but the same concept and tips apply to any specialty.Resources Mentioned: https://www.hstpathways.com/specialty-data/podiatryContact Jon + his team: https://www.ascrealtyadvisors.com/about/leadership/Brought to you by HST Pathways.

Stephanie Tarry brings more than three decades of experience in the ASC industry. Now with Physician Transaction Advisors, she works closely with physician groups to evaluate partnership opportunities and guide them through the transaction process from start to finish. In this episode, she breaks down how ASC transactions actually unfold, from early readiness and confidential information memorandums to letters of intent, quality of earnings, and closing.In our data segment, we’re breaking down Case Share by Age Group from HST’s demographic benchmarking report. If you’re not tracking your age mix, you may be missing a key component of what is truly driving demand and financial performance at your ASC. There is a direct correlation between age and specialty, which means there is a secondary correlation between your patient’s age and potential revenue.Resources Mentioned: https://www.hstpathways.com/specialty-data/asc-demographic-dataBrought to you by HST Pathways.

Dr. Leo Spector, MD, MBA, is the CEO of OrthoCarolina, where he leads strategy across a growing network of ASCs while continuing to practice as a spine surgeon. With decades of experience navigating joint ventures and certificate-of-need restrictions, Dr. Spector brings a physician-leader perspective on what it takes to successfully own and operate ASCs today. In this episode, he shares OrthoCarolina’s journey from hospital joint ventures to wholly owned surgery centers, how CON reform is reshaping growth opportunities, and what independent groups should consider as they evaluate their ownership options.In our news recap, we’ll cover five ways CMS is continuing to impact the ASC industry, two HCA medical centers that sold, cybersecurity concerns around generative AI, and how Amazon's same-day delivery can help your ASC with patient outcomes.One other note: our other host, Alex Larralde, unfortunately, needed to step away from HST so she could help with personal family needs full-time. That means this will be the last episode she’s included in. I’m sure she’d appreciate a kind message from you if you’re up to it.Resources Mentioned: 5 CMS moves shaping the ASC industry Montecito Buys Two HCA Medical Centers How the generative AI boom changes healthcare cybersecurity Amazon Pharmacy to expand same-day delivery to 4,500 citiesBrought to you by HST Pathways.

Jim Freund is the Managing Partner at Physician Transaction Advisors, where he and his team have spent more than 20 years advising physician-owned surgery centers through transactions, partnerships, and long-term strategic planning. Having worked on hundreds of ASC deals across the country, Jim brings a unique perspective on what drives centers to explore a transaction and how leaders can prepare before beginning the process. In this episode, he walks through when to start the conversation and what to consider as you evaluate your next move.In our data segment, we will discuss a custom metric from HST’s demographic benchmarking report: Payment Share by Specialty. The data consistently proves that your case mix and your revenue mix are not the same. And if you’re only looking at case volume, you’re probably missing what’s really driving your financial performance. I'll share what we uncovered after analyzing 5.3 million cases.Resources Mentioned: https://www.hstpathways.com/specialty-data/asc-demographic-dataBrought to you by HST Pathways.

Anesthesia costs and staffing pressures are reshaping ASC operations. In this episode, Garrison Gordon and Cory Hollmann break down shifting reimbursement, rising subsidies, and evolving partnership models between surgery centers and anesthesia groups. Learn practical strategies to align incentives, improve collections, manage risk, and build sustainable anesthesia relationships that support long-term growth.In our news recap, we’ll cover Oath Surgical’s new partnership with NVIDIA, how Optum’s acquisition of physician practices and ASCs is playing out, Medtronic and Mindray’s investment in the ASC space, and how the University of Michigan Health is using AI-driven diagnostic tools to scan brain MRIs in seconds with 97.5% accuracy.Resources Mentioned:Oath Surgical Strikes NVIDIA Partnership to Push AI Deeper Into Outpatient SurgeryOptum ASC Acquisitions Raised Prices Without Shifting ReferralsMedtronic and Mindray North America broaden strategic partnership beyond hospitalsMichigan Health AI model scans brain MRIs in secondsBrought to you by HST Pathways.

Patient payments are getting messier — not always because patients won’t pay, but because the workflow is full of friction, surprises, and missed follow-through. In this episode, HST experts talk about what really works for top-performing ASCs: clearer upfront estimates, fewer handoffs, easier ways to pay, and the operational fixes that keep small balances from quietly aging into “never gets paid.”You’ll also hear why many centers are seeing more partial payments even as total patient collections decline, and what that means for staffing, patient experience, and revenue cycle priorities heading into the year. In our data segment, we highlight insights from HST’s demographic benchmarking report: case volume and payment share don’t always line up by specialty — and that matters for more precise planning and forecasting.Subscribe for weekly ASC news and ops insights.Resources mentioned:HST Pathways Demographic Trends & Benchmarks for ASCsBrought to you by HST Pathways.

Patient payments don’t have to be complicated. In this week's episode, we kick off our Patient Payments series with a practical guest conversation on what “good” looks like in 2026: integrated processing, fewer manual steps, faster reconciliation, and an easier way for patients to pay.We cover where workflows commonly break down, why manual reconciliation and disconnected tools create errors and wasted time, and what to look for in modern payments and reporting.We also close with quick headlines: CMS’s rural health transformation push, new research linking pre-surgery stress to worse recovery in older adults, a CEO transition at Compass Surgical Partners, and why the South is becoming a hotspot for ASC growth.Subscribe for weekly ASC news and ops insights.Resources mentioned:CMS Establishes Office of Rural Health Transformation, Unveils $50B in State Awards: What ASCs Need to Know (Ambulatory Surgery Center News)Stress among older adults linked to worse surgery recovery (Duke University School of Medicine)Compass Surgical Partners Names Mark Langston Chief Executive Officer (Compass Surgical Partners)Why ASCs are surging in the South (Becker’s ASC Review)Brought to you by HST Pathways.

If you’ve been looking for a clear, ASC-focused breakdown of the 2026 CMS final payment rule, this episode is for you. This week, ASCA’s Chief Advocacy Officer, Kara Newbury, joins us to break down the most important things ASC leaders should note coming out of the 1600+ page document (all in under half an hour). Kara takes us through the reimbursement rate, the weight scalar update and ASCA’s advocacy for its elimination, a major rate oversight on the most common ASC procedure, massive covered procedure list expansion, and more.In our data segment, we look at patient payment behavior at ASCs and discuss some of the reasons why partial payments are rising and paid-in-full cases are declining, and how financial stress and insurance complexity are showing up in case cancellation rates.Resources mentioned:Ambulatory Surgery Center AssociationCalendar Year 2026 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center Final RuleHST Pathways 2024 State of the Industry ReportBrought to you by HST Pathways.

If you only had time to do one thing this week to improve your surgery center, what should it be? To kick off the countdown to year-end, This Week in Surgery Centers pulls together a year’s worth of conversations into one rapid-fire episode, featuring input from 30 past guests on the closing question of every interview: what is one thing ASC leaders can do this week to improve their surgery centers? You’ll hear practical, do-it-this-week ideas from ASC administrators, nursing leaders, business office experts, consultants, and physicians on: Supporting and recognizing your staff in meaningful ways Cleaning up payer profiles, item masters, and days to bill to strengthen margins Tightening credentialing, monitoring, disaster plans, and IT/infosec policies Improving communication with patients, caregivers, schedulers, and surgeons Getting your financials and partnerships ready for the next phase of growthThis episode gives you simple, concrete starting points to make 2026 a stronger year for your center — one small improvement, week by week.Brought to you by HST Pathways.

In the third installment of our case costing series, HST Pathways’ Chief Innovation Officer, Gavin Fabian, breaks down what “mature” case costing actually looks like in a real ASC (and why, done right, it’s pretty boring). The conversation covers why so many initiatives fall apart at the cost-data level, how to clean up your item master and documentation workflows, and practical steps to move from retrospective spreadsheets to automated case profitability forecasting. Gavin also shares where AI can help plug data gaps, where forecasting should live in your scheduling workflow, and how to use these insights to drive surgeon alignment without sacrificing culture.In the data segment, we discuss a custom metric from HST’s demographic benchmarking report: OR Minute–Case Gap (by Sex). You’ll hear how this metric is calculated from a 5.3 million–case dataset, what national patterns look like in specialties such as Cardiovascular and Spine, and how ASC leaders can use these insights to challenge assumptions about block times, staffing, and scheduling — so days run closer to plan..Resources mentioned:Who’s on Your Schedule? Demographic Trends and Benchmarks for ASCsWho’s on Your Schedule? Exploring Demographic Data for ASCs (Podcast)HST Pathways 2025 Client Award NominationsBrought to you by HST Pathways.

In this week’s episode, the second installment in our case costing series, Grant Duncan sits down with VMG Health’s Vanessa Sindell and Nancy Stephens to unpack the unsung hero of accurate case costing: a clean inventory master. They cover practical, do-it-today tactics like using naming conventions that work at the point of care, leveraging GPO data to understand all of your pricing options, and keeping preference cards current, so cost-per-case is surgeon ready. They also make the case for dedicating an FTE to the process to maximize cost savings.In the news: the still-pending OPPS/ASC final rule, the implications of CMS site-neutrality efforts, a new analysis drawing scrutiny to UnitedHealthcare’s payments to Optum-employed physicians compared with market peers, and encouraging results for a multi-cancer blood test showing high detection accuracy alongside standard screening.Resources Mentioned:VMG HealthCMS’ delayed ASC rule release, explained (Becker’s ASC Review)CMS’ site-neutral reform poised to upend hospital-ASC dynamics (Becker’s ASC Review)Study suggests UnitedHealthcare pays Optum docs more than other providers (Fierce Healthcare)A simple blood test can detect 50 types of cancer: We explain (USA Today)Brought to you by HST Pathways.

This week’s guest, Melissa Rice, is the administrator at Loyola Ambulatory Surgery Center at Oakbrook Terrace (part of Trinity Health), and the newly elected Illinois Ambulatory Surgery Center Association President. In the first episode of our Case Costing series, Melissa lays out a practical playbook that changes behavior — how to pull the levers that drive profitability (implants, supplies, staffing), why clean data must come first, how subspecialty data can surface margin-wrecking outliers, and the right way to align your staff, surgeons, vendors, and your board using clear numbers and transparent governance.In our data segment, we spotlight the Days to Bill benchmark — which rose to 4.4 days on average in 2024 from 3.6 in 2023 — and a few specialty-specific improvements. We talk about why this metric matters, what it can indicate, and a few simple ways to accelerate cash while mitigating denial risk.Resources mentioned:HST Pathways State of the Industry ReportHST Pathways Spine Specialty Data ReportHST Pathways Cardiovascular Specialty Data ReportHST Pathways Gastroenterology Specialty Data ReportBrought to you by HST Pathways.

Recorded live at the New York State Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers conference in Albany, NY (Oct 6-8), this special edition episode brings three vantage points on where ambulatory surgery is headed next: Dr. Daniel Choi of Spine Medicine & Surgery of Long Island on scaling a multi-physician practice with 10,000+ annual visits and what it really takes to plan an ASC; JoAnn Vecchio of ASC of Western New York on sustaining growth and continuity through a partnership with Catholic Health; and Kara Newbury of ASCA on how a federal shutdown could affect timelines and current legislation — and what ASC leaders should prioritize now amid uncertainty.One theme connects them all: ASCs are built for this moment — safer care, smarter costs, and real runway for growth — if you can execute.Resources mentioned:Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA)Brought to you by HST Pathways.

This week, Will Evans, Head of Data Science & Insights at HST Pathways, joins us to unpack our new five-and-a-half-year look at how case volume, OR minutes, and dollars are distributed across patient demographics. We discuss the biggest findings, a few surprises, and the simple metrics any ASC can track to anticipate scheduling and staffing nuance by population.In our news segment, we cover venture fundraising in the ASC industry, a recent survey report showing a growing number of health systems making ASCs a core part of their strategy, how cyberattacks have disrupted patient care at hundreds of healthcare organizations this year, and a new FDA-cleared blood test to aid in initial Alzheimer’s assessments.Resources mentioned:Report: Who’s on Your Schedule? Demographic Trends & Benchmarks for ASCsOath Surgical Raises $24M to Expand Surgeon-Led Centers, Develop AI PlatformHealth systems expand ambulatory strategies: ReportIn 2025, patients are in the healthcare cybersecurity crosshairsRoche, Lilly's blood test for Alzheimer's diagnosis gets US approvalBrought to you by HST Pathways.

In this episode, Benita Tapia, Administrator & Director of Nursing at Beverly Hills ASC, joins Alex — along with Conor McGinn, CEO of Akara — to unpack how she’s using AI to improve everyday operations: tightening block utilization and surgeon accountability, speeding turnovers, answering scheduling questions in real time, and boosting registration accuracy to cut preventable denials. We also cover the guardrails — privacy, policy, and a human in the loop — that keep these tools safe and useful.In our data segment, we look at Otolaryngology benchmarks from nearly 112,000 cases across 202 centers. OR block utilization sits around 46%; net revenue per case is up 26% ($2,981 to $3,765); deposits slipped, and denials ticked up while days to bill improved. We highlight trends to watch, and simple steps leaders can take now to tighten collections, curb denials, and move closer to that 70% utilization goal.Resources mentioned:HST Pathways State of the Industry ReportHST Pathways Otolaryngology Benchmark ReportBrought to you by HST Pathways.

As Q3 wraps, this episode spotlights the signals that matter for ASC leaders heading into the busiest quarter of the year. We track policy direction, the continued shift of cases to outpatient settings, and how employer data transparency is accelerating site-of-care redirection. We scan market momentum and partnerships, revisit anesthesia coverage and how centers are adapting, and share pragmatic AI wins that tighten schedules and improve RCM. Skim the quarter’s major ASC trends in under 20 minutes to guide Q4 execution and set up 2026 planning.Resources mentioned:CMS proposed CY-2026 OPPS/ASC ruleICD-10-CM FY-2026 code updateNational Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions Pulse of the Purchaser 2025 SurveyTenet Reports Strong Second Quarter 2025 Results; Raises 2025 Financial OutlookAscension nears $3.9B AmSurg acquisition: BloombergAvanza Strategies 6th Hospital Leadership ASC SurveyJAMA Surgery, Effect of a Predictive Model on Planned Surgical Duration Accuracy, Patient Wait Time, and Use of Presurgical ResourcesBecker’s ASC Annual Meeting, October 16–18, ChicagoBrought to you by HST Pathways.

For the final episode of our Improving the Patient Experience series, show co-host Grant Duncan and Marta Shultz, a clinical workflow expert at HST Pathways, join Alex to unpack pre-assessments — why they’re essential for patient safety and satisfaction, when to complete them, how many forms you actually need, and practical ways ASC leaders can reduce nurse phone time and cut cancellations and delays.In our data segment, we analyze gynecology benchmarks from 33,000+ cases across 99 centers. OR block utilization fell 10% year over year to 41%, while a number of financial metrics improved. We cover trends to watch, and steps leaders can take to curb operational challenges at their own centers.Resources mentioned:HST Pathways State of the Industry ReportHST Pathways Gynecology Benchmark ReportBrought to you by HST Pathways.

Jeffrey Flynn, Administrator and Chief Operating Officer at Gramercy Surgery Center and President of the New York State Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers, joins the show to share how Gramercy keeps care personal at scale — training every team member as a patient advocate, keeping families informed, and even empowering nurses to call a case when something feels off. He also gives us insight into what the NYSAASC has been up to and previews what’s ahead for New York ASCs as we approach next month's state conference in Albany.In our news recap, we’ll cover why anesthesia providers are choosing ASCs, CMS’s proposed 2.6% payment update and additions to the ASC-Covered Procedures List fueling industry growth, ASCA’s July 60-Second Survey on EHR adoption, and a nationwide study in New Zealand using AI to speed stroke imaging.In or near New York? Join us at the NYSAASC Conference in Albany, NY, at the Desmond Hotel, October 6-8, 2025.Resources mentioned:Why anesthesia providers are drawn to ASCsThe policy shifts driving the ASC boomASCA Survey Shows Continued Growth of EHR Usage by ASCsNational rapid stroke imaging AI study underway in New ZealandBrought to you by HST Pathways.

In this episode, Grant Duncan sits down with Katie Sypher, a registered dietitian and healthcare operations leader, and Michael McClain, founder of LeftCoast Healthcare Advisors, to tackle one of the most overlooked challenges in the ASC space: communication. They share practical strategies for aligning messaging between clinics, surgery centers, and patients — covering everything from mapping touchpoints to creating a single source of truth to reduce duplication, avoid confusion, and build patient trust.After that, tune into our Data & Insights segment, where we explore why ASCs saw claim denial rates drop from 8% to 4% in 2024 — a 50% improvement — and what your center can do to replicate that success.Resources Mentioned: 2024 State of the Industry Report by HST PathwaysBrought to you by HST Pathways.

Colleen Ramirez, Chief Administrative Officer at Bone & Joint Surgery Center of Novi, and Dr. Michael Bernard, Director of Anesthesia, join the show to share how they work together to drive case volume, choose which cases to accept, and stay profitable—all while maintaining a strong clinical partnership.In our news recap, we’ll cover the first ever ASC in the Dominican Republic, a new ASC joint venture, the rising demand for dental surgeries, and, of course, end the news segment with a positive story about how engineers have discovered a way to turn dental floss into a vaccine.Lastly, an exciting update: starting next week, Erica Palmer will be handing over hosting duties to Alex Larralde!Resources Mentioned: One World Surgery Opens First Ever ASC in DR Solara Surgical Partners, Orlando Health Announce New ASC Joint Venture Demand Rises for Dental Surgery in ASCs Engineers transform dental floss into needle-free vaccineBrought to you by HST Pathways.

This week, we’re joined by Wes Battiste, an experienced anesthesiologist and ASC developer, to talk about a growing trend: surgery centers building their own in-house anesthesia teams. What once seemed like a wild idea is now becoming the best path forward for centers looking to stay profitable.Then, in our Data & Insights segment, we dive into 10 key metrics from spine centers—some promising, some concerning, but all worth paying attention to.Plus, a personal update: After nearly three years hosting This Week in Surgery Centers, Erica Palmer will be passing the mic. You’ll meet your new host, Alex Larralde, in this episode (she interviews Wes!), and you’ll also start hearing from Grant Duncan in the coming weeks.Resources Mentioned:https://www.hstpathways.com/specialty-data/spineBrought to you by HST Pathways.

Alex Taira from ASCA breaks down the key takeaways from CMS's 2026 Proposed Payment Rule for ASCs. From reimbursement rates to the ASC Covered Procedures List and quality reporting changes, Alex shares what ASC leaders need to know from the 913-page proposal.In our news recap, we highlight an AI-JAMA partnership, payer challenges facing anesthesiologists, tips to prevent cyberattacks, and a breakthrough device preserving donor organs.ASCA Resources: Proposed Rule Highlights Propsed Rule Webinar on 7/22/25 ASCA’s 60-Second Survey National Advocacy DayNews Stories: JAMA signs multi-year deal with OpenEvidence The payer issues pressing anesthesiologists Offensive Mindset: Preventing Cyberattacks ‘Life-saving’ organ-preserving device wins major awardBrought to you by HST Pathways.

This week, ASC expert Carol Hiatt joins us to share practical tips for improving OR utilization in orthopedic surgery centers. With over 30 years in the industry, Carol dives into common causes of underutilization and how to fix them.Then in our Data & Insights segment, we spotlight dental ASCs. Drawing from 35 facilities and over 15,000 cases, we break down key metrics like block utilization, pre-auth rates, and patient deposit collection.Resources Mentioned:https://www.hstpathways.com/specialty-data/dentalBrought to you by HST Pathways.

Kevin Turner is the Sr. VP of IT & Analytics at HealthCrest Surgical Management. He has been in IT for over 30 years and has been through the software evaluation process countless times. Kevin shares with us his repeatable, proven, 8-step process that anyone can use to guide their software decisions. Whether you’re choosing your first system or replacing a legacy tool, this structured approach will help you navigate the process with confidence. With so many vendors and features to consider, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but this step-by-step process will keep you focused on what matters most and make sure all stakeholders are happy with the decision.In our news recap, we’ll cover the DOJ’s Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force, Ascension’s acquisition of AMSURG, the biggest opportunity for growth in ASCs, and, of course, end the news segment with a positive story about a nurse who uses her own personal tragedy to provide once-in-a-lifetime care.Recommend 8-Step Process: Define Business Needs and Objectives Assemble a Cross-Functional Selection Team Gather Requirements and Prioritize Features Research the Market and Identify Potential Vendors Evaluate and Compare Options Assess Integration, Security, and Compliance Review Costs and Negotiate Contracts Pilot, Test, and Finalize the DecisionResources Mentioned: ASC Stakeholders Voice Market-Competition Concerns, Ask DOJ Task Force to Cut Red Tape Ascension agrees to acquire Amsurg to expand ambulatory surgery reach The biggest opportunities for ASC growth  From Paralyzed Patient to Spinal Cord Nurse: Rachel Stewart, BSN, RN, Turns Trauma into TriumphBrought to you by HST Pathways.

At the end of every discussion, we always ask our guests, “What is one thing our listeners can do this week to improve their surgery centers?” For today’s episode, we took the last 15 answers we received from our guests and turned them into a 20-minute highlight reel.This roundup features, in order: Scott Allen, Becky Ziegler-Otis, Tina DiMarino, Kathy Wilson, Ryan Short, Colin Park, Mayte Rechani, Mark Henderson Leary, Maddie Traylor, Richard Parker, Melanie Howitt, Kristle Young, Josh Rudd, Nyleen Flores, Shannen Reyes-Aguayo, and Will Evans.A huge thank you to everyone who has shared their advice!Brought to you by HST Pathways.

Will Evans, HST’s Senior Director of Data Science and Insights, is fresh off presenting Advanced Financial Strategies at last month’s ASCA conference. I wanted to spend a few minutes with Will recapping the second half of that presentation for those who may have missed it, including four key metrics for assessing financial health, how to identify the most important metrics for your unique ASC, and ways to incorporate benchmarking. If you’re looking to strengthen your ASC’s financial performance, this is a great place to start—and you’ll hear a success story or two along the way.After my conversation with Will, we’ll shift to our Data & Insights segment. You’re likely familiar with our full State of the ASC Industry Report, but we recently released 12 new specialty benchmarking reports—shorter, data-focused reports that take a deeper dive into one specialty at a time. Today, I’ll spotlight average monthly revenue trends for two longstanding specialties—Gastroenterology and Ophthalmology—versus two emerging specialties—Cardiology and Total Joints. We’ll break down average monthly case volume, revenue per case, and what trends we’re seeing across these specialties.Resources Mentioned: https://www.hstpathways.com/specialty-data/gastroenterology/ https://www.hstpathways.com/specialty-data/ophthalmology/ https://www.hstpathways.com/specialty-data/cardiovascular/ https://www.hstpathways.com/specialty-data/totaljoint/Brought to you by HST Pathways.

Nyleen Flores, CEO of MedElevate, and Shannen Reyes, President of Advanced Quality Compliance, are joining us today. With decades of experience between them, Nyleen and Shannen have helped countless surgery centers streamline their credentialing processes, reducing risk and improving patient safety along the way. In this episode, we unpack common misconceptions, share tools and systems that actually work, and chat about their brand-new podcast, Credentialing Chronicles.Later in the episode, I’ll walk through our latest Data & Insights spotlight. You’ve probably seen our full State of the ASC Industry Report, but we’ve just released 12 new benchmarking reports focused on specific specialties. Today, we're focusing in on Cardiovascular ASCs—with insights from 108 centers and roughly 9,000 cases.Resources Mentioned: https://www.hstpathways.com/specialty-data/cardiovascularBrought to you by HST Pathways.

Josh Rudd recently opened Knoxville Spine Surgery Center, his first time leading the launch of a brand-new facility. I sat down with Josh to hear what the process was really like, from the initial idea all the way to their very first procedure. Whether you're planning a new build or just curious about what it takes to open an ASC from scratch, this conversation is packed with first-hand insights you'll find both valuable and engaging.After my conversation with Josh, we’ll head into our Data & Insights segment. HST released its annual State of the Industry report in September, based on data from 590 surgery centers. Today, we’re diving into expected vs. actual OR start times and sharing practical tips to help keep your schedule running on time.Resources Mentioned: HST’s State of the Industry ReportBrought to you by HST Pathways.

We’re continuing our series on Improving Profitability. Last week, Melanie Howitt shared how AI and automation can improve your ability to collect outstanding balances. This week, Kristle Young from Collective RCM joins us to discuss strategies for reducing days in AR.In our news recap, we cover key trends from the ASCA Conference, the rise of shoulder replacements, a new joint venture between Cleveland Clinic and Regent Surgical, and end on a high note with this year’s Nap Gary Award recipient.Resources Mentioned:ASCA 2025 Recap: Profitability, Tech, and LeadershipGaining GroundCleveland Clinic, Regent Surgical Strike ASC Joint Venture AgreementWilson Receives Nap Gary Award for Lifetime AchievementBrought to you by HST Pathways.

We’re kicking off a brand-new three-part series on Improving Profitability at Your ASC. First up: Melanie Howitt, Transition and Implementation Manager at in2itive, joins host Nick Latz to discuss how AI and automation can streamline collections and reduce outstanding balances. She also shares field-tested best practices for optimizing the back end of the revenue cycle.Then, in our Data & Insights segment, we dive into findings from HST’s latest State of the Industry report. With data from 590 surgery centers, we break down the most common reasons for case cancellations—and which ones your ASC can work to prevent.Resources Mentioned:HST’s State of the Industry Report: https://www.hstpathways.com/resources/surgery-center-industry-report/How to Create a CustomGPT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u0tHytmKqwBrought to you by HST Pathways.

HST CEO David Thawley recently joined ASCA’s podcast to discuss key ASC trends in 2024—from rising specializations and OR efficiencies to new RCM data from our State of the Industry Report. We’re excited to share that conversation here with permission from ASCA.Quick reminder: if you’re listening on Tuesday, April 29, the ASCA conference is officially underway! Come visit us at Booth #303 to say hi, grab your copy of the report, and win a prize.Check out ASCA’s podcast, Advancing Surgical Care: https://www.ascassociation.org/asca/news-and-publications/podcastDownload HST’s State of the Industry Report: https://www.hstpathways.com/resources/surgery-center-industry-report/Brought to you by HST Pathways.

Today’s guest is Richard Parker, Associate Director of Life Safety & Physical Environment at ACHC—the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. We talk about what life safety includes, what surveyors are really looking for, how to document properly, and the most common deficiencies ACHC sees during surveys.Reminder: the ASCA conference is just two weeks away! If you haven’t registered yet, online registration closes Friday, April 18th, so now's the time to register if you haven’t yet. HST will be there at Booth #303, right up front in the exhibit hall. Stop by to say hello, grab a copy of our State of the Industry report, take a quiz for a chance to win a prize, and check out all our latest solutions. We hope to see you there.Resources Mentioned: Closing the ASC Tech Gap: EHRs, AI and Beyond How ASCs can flip the script on anesthesia challenges Streamlining the PACU Experience for Total Joints Patients The dog-tor will see you now Learn more about ACHC Webinars: https://www.achc.org/Brought to you by HST Pathways.

In the final episode of our Staffing Strategies series, Maddie Traylor, President of AdvancedScope, joins us to explore the differences between locum, contract, and permanent hires. We dive into the pros and cons of each staffing model and how surgery centers can determine the best fit based on their unique needs.After the conversation with Maddie, stick around for our Data & Insights segment. We’ll take a few minutes to unpack one of the key takeaways from HST’s 2024 State of the Industry report: average recovery times by specialty, based on data from 590 surgery centers.Resources Mentioned: HST’s State of the Industry Report: https://www.hstpathways.com/resources/surgery-center-industry-report/ The National Library of Medicine’s report on aromatherapy's role in decreasing PONV: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34905993/Brought to you by HST Pathways.

Last week, we explored how to choose the best staffing agency with Mayte Rechani. This week, we’re continuing our staffing series with Mark Henderson Leary to discuss what it takes to build a sustainable culture at your ASC.Mark shares practical strategies to help you: Define what your culture really is Identify team members who may not be the right fit Attract and retain people who align with your valuesIn our news recap, we cover: The ongoing anesthesia staffing crisis Concerns from ASC leaders about proposed HHS policy changes National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month A feel-good story from this year’s National Resident Matching ProgramResources Mentioned: Surviving the Anesthesia Staffing Crisis Ambulatory Surgery Center Stakeholders Sound Alarm Over HHS Proposal to Rescind Public Participation in Rulemaking ASCs Provide Updates on CRC Screening What 23 match day statistics say about the future of medicine HST’s State of the Industry ReportBrought to you by HST Pathways.

Today is the first episode of our new three-part series on Staffing Strategies for ASCs! Over the next few episodes, we’ll discuss key staffing considerations that can help surgery centers build and maintain a strong workforce. The healthcare industry is dealing with unprecedented staffing shortages right now, so I’m hopeful that everyone will be able to walk away from this series with some new ideas to use.Today, we’re kicking things off with Mayte Rechani to discuss Selecting the Best Agency. Many ASCs haven’t tapped into staffing agencies yet, so Mayte will break down what to look for in an agency, how to ensure reliable coverage, and other key factors to consider.After my conversation with Mayte, we’ll switch to our Data & Insights segment. HST released our annual State of the Industry report in September, which analyzed client data from 590 surgery centers. Today we’ll spend a few minutes breaking down how often outstanding patient bills are worked post-date-of-service.Resources Mentioned:HST’s State of the Industry Report – https://www.hstpathways.com/resources/surgery-center-industry-report/Brought to you by HST Pathways.

Today, we’re diving into the latest insights from VMG Health’s newly released report, ASC Leader Expectations for 2025. This report is based on a survey of 137 ASC leaders—including administrators, CEOs, VPs, and clinical directors—from both independent and joint-venture centers. To break down the key takeaways, our host, Nick Latz, sat down with Colin Park, Managing Director at VMG Health. Together, they explore what ASC leaders are prioritizing for the year ahead and what trends Colin and his team uncovered.After my conversation with Colin, we’ll switch to our Data & Insights segment. HST released our annual State of the Industry report in September, which analyzed client data from 590 surgery centers. Today we’ll spend a few minutes breaking down on-time starts. We’ll look at which specialties have the longest delays, which have the shortest, and the operational impacts of starting surgeries late.Resources Mentioned: ASC Leader Expectations for 2025: https://vmghealth.com/insights/industry-report/asc-leader-expectations-for-2025/ HST’s State of the Industry Report: https://www.hstpathways.com/resources/surgery-center-industry-report/Brought to you by HST Pathways.

Ryan Short, Principal and Founding Member of Cotton Architecture and Design, joins us to break down the step-by-step design process for opening a new surgery center. In this fast-paced, 20-minute conversation, we cover everything you need to know. Whether you plan to open a facility, expand an existing one, or just want insight into the process, you'll walk away with valuable takeaways.Resources Mentioned: Surgery Centers Affected by LA Fires Share Their Stories Game-Changing Advances in Orthopedics How 5 ASC companies dominated in 2024 How Beth Quatrara is Shaping the Future of NursingBrought to you by HST Pathways.

In the final installment of our three-part QAPI studies series, I sit down with Kathy Wilson, Executive Director of the ASC Quality Collaboration, and Kathy walks us through a real-life QAPI study on reducing case cancellations at a GI center, using her 10-step, repeatable approach that simplifies the process and delivers measurable results. Whether you're new to QAPI studies or looking for a more structured method, this episode has actionable takeaways you won’t want to miss.After my conversation with Kathy, we’ll dive into our Data & Insights segment, where we analyze key findings from HST’s State of the Industry report. Looking at orthopedics, we’ll break down profitability per case, compare 2023 to 2024 trends, and discuss why more patients and payers are choosing outpatient procedures—a shift that’s only gaining momentum.Kathy’s 10-Step QAPI Study Process: Define the Purpose – Why does this issue matter? Set a Performance Goal – Internal or external benchmarks help guide success Plan Data Collection – Identify what you need to track. Collect the Data – Use reports, spreadsheets, or software to track key details. Analyze the Data – Identify trends and root causes. Compare to Goal – Did you hit the target? Implement Corrective Actions – Revise patient instructions, engage physicians, implement tech solutions, etc. Remeasure the Data – Track post-intervention results. Adjust if Needed – Implement further corrective actions if goals aren’t met. Communicate Findings – Share results with staff, leadership, and surveyors.Resources Mentioned: HST’s State of the Industry ReportBrought to you by HST Pathways.

We are continuing our three-part series about QAPI studies. Last week, we heard from Becky Ziegler-Otis, who shared some fantastic insights into how you can generate new ideas. And today, I had the chance to talk with Tina DiMarino. Tina is the CEO of Custom Surgical Consultants, a Board member of the Maryland ASC Association, and an AAAHC Surveyor. So Tina will give up the inside scoop on what specific aspects of QAPI studies surveyors typically focus on during an inspection.After my conversation with Tina, we’ll switch to our Data & Insights segment. In September, HST released our annual State of the Industry report, which analyzed client data from 590 surgery centers. Today, I’ll share the cardiology trends we saw from 2023 to 2024, specifically around OR duration, revenue per case, and revenue per OR minute.Resources Mentioned: HST’s State of the Industry ReportBrought to you by HST Pathways.

We’re kicking off a new three-part series on QAPI Studies!Becky Ziegler-Otis joins us this week to share practical tips for generating new study ideas. Becky is the Assistant Executive Director at the ASC Quality Collaboration, an ASC consultant, and a member of the ASCA Education Committee. Having run an ASC for many years, she knows QAPI inside and out and will show you how to find fresh ideas through internal and external benchmarking.Coming up next: February 18: Tina DiMarino gives an inside look at what surveyors are really looking for. February 25: Kathy Wilson walks us through the 10-step process she used to run a successful study that reduced case cancellations at a GI center.Resources Mentioned: Take the ASC Quality & Safety Assessment HST’s State of the Industry Report Why ASCs Should Brace for Consolidation in 2025 The battleground states for colonoscopy laws Shamika Ossey Champions Resilience and Compassion During LA County FiresBrought to you by HST Pathways.

Scott Allen is the SVP of Managed Care at nimble, and he’s on today’s show to help us wrap up our Payor Contract series. We have already covered 6 Tips for Effective Management and Leveraging Data for Negotiations, and we’ll finish up the series by doing a deep dive into Chargemaster Essentials. Scott walks us through common issues, making sure your chargemaster is up to date, and how to maintain it effectively.In our news recap, we’ll cover a kickback lawsuit in New York, potential AI bias, the role of automation in RCM, and, of course, end the news segment with a positive story about a nurse who saved a patient’s life who was having a stroke.Also – we’re offering a $50 gift card to the first 30 listeners who complete our Podcast Survey! It only takes a few minutes of your time, and you’ll be able to share your feedback and ideas. Start the survey here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/hstpathways1/podcastsurveyResources Mentioned: The View co-host Sunny Hostin's surgeon husband Emmanuel accused of insurance fraud in bombshell lawsuit Hospital evaluation of AI predictive tools for bias is inconsistent, study finds How to Make True RCM Automation Work for You: Three Tools Every Organization Needs in Their Toolkit Meet Carlee Minyard: The ER Nurse Who Set a Stroke Care Record and Transformed a Life in Just 17 MinutesBrought to you by HST Pathways.

This week marks our 100th episode of This Week in Surgery Centers!We are beyond grateful to everyone who has tuned in and to our 80+ guests who have come on the show over the last two years. Our episodes have accumulated tens of thousands of listens, and it has been our privilege to share such important information and expert advice with the industry.Now, let’s celebrate! At the end of every discussion, we always ask our guests, “What is one thing our listeners can do this week to improve their surgery centers?” For today’s 100th episode, we took the last 20 answers we received from our guests and turned them into a 25-minute highlight reel.A HUGE thank you to everyone who has supported This Week in Surgery Centers. We hope you enjoy this roundup, and here’s to the next 100 episodes!

Rita Reyes-Williamson is the Senior Director of Managed Care at Surgery Partners, and she joins us today for part 2 of our payor contract series to talk about Leveraging Data for Negotiations. Rita has great tips and ideas for what data you should bring to your payor negotiations, such as physician case volume data, case migration from inpatient to outpatient, how you’ll improve access to care for their memberships, and so many more creative ideas for how you can gain leverage and get the best rates possible.After my conversation with Rita, we’ll switch to our Data & Insights segment. Today I’ll share with you case volume trends per specialty from 2023 to 2024 and then tips for how you can increase your case volume if you’re looking to do so.Plus - we’re offering a $50 gift card to the first 30 listeners who complete our Podcast Survey! It only takes a few minutes of your time, and you’ll be able to share your feedback and ideas. Start the survey here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/hstpathways1/podcastsurveyAccess HST’s State of the Industry Report: https://www.hstpathways.com/resources/surgery-center-industry-report/Brought to you by HST Pathways.

We’re starting 2025 with an exciting three-part series on Payor Contracts! In this episode, Kristin Pegram, Contracts and Compliance Manager at Mann Eye Institute shares six essential tips for effective contract management. Kristin brings invaluable firsthand experience to help you navigate contract challenges.In our news recap, we’ll cover why ASCs closed in 2024, projected headwinds and tailwinds for 2025, SCA Health’s latest acquisition, and, of course, end the news segment with a positive story from Baxter, the manufacturing facility in North Carolina that was hit hard by Hurricane Helene.Do you want $50? We’re offering a $50 gift card to the first 30 listeners who complete our Podcast Survey! It only takes a few minutes of your time, and you’ll be able to share your feedback and ideas. Start the survey here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/hstpathways1/podcastsurveyResources Mentioned: Why ASCs closed in 2024 New Year, New Trends SCA Health Acquires OrthoAlliance, Expanding Orthopedic Footprint Baxter Expects Pre-Hurricane Levels of Production in Early 2025Brought to you by HST Pathways.

We had the chance to sit down with Kara Newbury, ASCA’s Chief Advocacy Officer, to discuss what ASCs can expect in 2025. CMS officially published its 2025 Final Payment Rule, so we covered Medicare reimbursement rates, changes to the ASC Covered Procedure List, updates to the ASC Quality Reporting Program, and some other topics that every ASC should be aware of.After my conversation with Kara, we’ll switch to our Data & Insights segment. In September, HST released our annual State of the Industry report, which analyzed client data from 590 surgery centers. Today, I’ll share with you the numbers we were able to put together regarding OR efficiency and patient throughput. We’ll look at OR Start Time, OR Duration, OR Turnover, and Recovery times.Also, this week’s episode will be our last one in 2024. There will not be any new episodes on December 24th or December 31st, but we will hit the ground running on Tuesday, January 7th, with a brand new series on payor contracts. If you need content to hold you over, please see the list of educational resources below.So, with that, we hope you all enjoy the holiday season with your loved ones, and we will see you after the New Year.Resources: Connect with Maia Kunkel from ASCA for help scheduling a facility tour HST’s State of the Industry Report ASC Data & Benchmarking Video Playlist Content Bundles by Topic (board meetings, OR utilization, EMRs, etc.)Brought to you by HST Pathways.

Mel Gunawardena is the Co-founder and Managing partner at SYNERGEN Health, and he is here to share with us a few things that every RCM expert needs to know. In this episode, Mel shares essential insights every RCM expert needs to know, including best practices for ASCs, how technology is revolutionizing the process, and the key considerations for keeping RCM in-house versus outsourcing.In our news recap, we’ll cover a new surgical tech training center, what to watch out for in your payer contracts, a new controversial decision by Anthem, and, of course, end the news segment with a positive story about a new, game changing therapy for people with asthma or COPD.Articles Mentioned:Plaza College unveils $1 million surgical tech training center in Forest HillsWatch Out for Payer Contract Proposal Red FlagsAnthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Won’t Pay for the Complete Duration of Anesthesia for Patients’ Surgical Procedures [Editor’s Note: since this episode was published, Anthem has decided to reverse this policy.]Doctors hail an asthma ‘breakthrough’HST’s State of the Industry ReportBrought to you by HST Pathways.

This week, our host, Nick Latz, sits down with Joan Dentler, Founder of Avanza Healthcare Strategies, to explore the insights from their 6th Annual Hospital Leadership ASC Survey. Together, they break down the survey results, uncovering key trends in ASC ownership, the growing interest from hospitals and health systems, the equity dynamics, and the role of third-party management companies. And the best part is that all these insights are backed by the data Joan and her team have aggregated and analyzed, so the takeaways are equal part interesting and meaningful.After Nick’s conversation with Joan, we’ll switch to our Data & Insights segment. HST released our annual State of the Industry report in September, which analyzed client data from 590 surgery centers. Today I’ll share with you the numbers we were able to put together regarding Pre-Authorization Rates and Insurance Verification Rates, and we’ll look at how that compared to 2023.Resources Mentioned: HST’s State of the Industry Report Avanza’s 6th annual Hospital Leadership ASC Survey will not be publicly available until January 2025. Please check their website for any updates: https://avanzastrategies.com.Brought to you by HST Pathways.

We’ve explored many topics related to opening an ASC, but today’s episode dives into something very specific and exciting. Three experts from Align Health join us to discuss what it takes to open an ASC with a cardiovascular focus.Cardiovascular is one of the hottest specialties right now, with reimbursement per case ranking second only to orthopedics. But with great opportunity comes unique challenges—feasibility, construction, staffing, technology, and so much more.In our news recap, we’ll cover ASCA’s latest survey regarding access to anesthesia, how health systems are publicly ranking AI models, the critical role of ASCs during national emergencies, and, of course, end the news segment with a positive story about a nurse who went above and beyond to help a family in need.Resources Mentioned: ASCA Survey Shows Improvement in Access to Anesthesia Services Health systems band together to test and publicly rank top AI models The Critical Role of ASCs During National Emergencies Celebrating Compassion: Heather Braden Helps Family in Time of NeedBrought to you by HST Pathways.