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Surgical Information Systems Blog | Ambulatory Surgery Centers
With ASCs typically only performing a few quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) studies each year, all must be worthwhile and deliver valuable insights into an ASC's operations. But achieving these objectives is easier said than...
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Q&A with Jho Outlaw and Jessica Nelson
Following a recent webinar presentation on "Leveraging Technology to Enhance ASC Collections," Jho Outlaw, senior vice president of Revenue Cycle Services for SIS, and Jessica Nelson, director of Revenue...
While the purposes of quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) for ASCs are clear, achieving QAPI objectives can prove challenging. Failure to properly conduct QAPI studies can put an ASC into regulatory hot water with the Centers for...
Jennifer Bednarchik is the chief operations officer for Livonia Outpatient Surgery Center in Livonia, Michigan, where she has worked since 2011. Livonia recently implemented SIS Complete™, the cloud-based ASC management and clinical documentation...
Technology can greatly enhance an ASC's billing and collections efforts. Technology can improve claims completion and submission speed, boost staff productivity, decrease payment time, and reduce expenses, to name just a few ways the right...
The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) is the national voice for ASCs. Its staff works to ensure the interests of surgery centers are represented on the federal level and develops a wide range of resources to help ASCs deliver excellent...
Following a recent webinar presentation on "Stop Guessing, Start Measuring: Choosing Data-Based QAPI Study Topics," Daren Smith, director of ASC Solutions for Surgical Information Systems who previously worked as the director of clinical services...
The conclusion of August brings with it the end of National ASC Month — a time designated by the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) to celebrate ASCs and the surgery center industry while raising awareness of the benefits ASCs provide...
Opening a new surgery center requires a significant financial outlay for investors. There are those costs associated with developing the physical plant, purchasing equipment and supplies, and hiring and training staff. Once an ASC opens,...
Ann Geier, MS, RN, CNOR(E), CASC, is the chief nursing officer for Surgical Information Systems. She has worked in the ASC industry for more than 30 years and has been responsible for every aspect of ASC financial and clinical operations.
In...
Q&A with Jho Outlaw and Jessica Nelson
Following a recent webinar presentation on "Billing on Day 1" Jho Outlaw, senior vice president of Revenue Cycle Services for SIS, and Jessica Nelson, director of Revenue Cycle Services for SIS, fielded...
When researching electronic health record (EHR) systems, ASCs will find that they seem to have a lot of options. On the surface, this would appear to be advantageous. After all, more choices should mean more opportunities to identify the...
Daren Smith, director of ASC solutions for Surgical Information Systems, shares insight to help ASCs select the most appropriate quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) study topics in the June/July 2019 issue of ASC Focus.
Q&A with Jho Outlaw and Jessica Nelson
Following a recent webinar presentation on "Cleaning Up Your Claims: Techniques, Tips, and Tools," Jho Outlaw, senior vice president of Revenue Cycle Services for SIS, and Jessica Nelson, director of...
Over the past several years, the ASC industry has experienced significant changes. Patient responsibility is on the rise as high-deductible health plans continue to gain traction in the insurance market, and payers and employers shift more of the...
The combination of ASC management, clinical documentation, patient engagement, and physician mobile capabilities on a single database cloud platform redefines expectations for ASC software
Patient financial responsibility after insurance is growing at a rapid rate and showing no signs of slowing down. With patients increasingly responsible for a greater portion of their healthcare costs, ASCs must effectively collect these higher...
Q&A with Jho Outlaw and Jessica Nelson
Following a recent webinar presentation on "Patient Collections: How to Improve Success Without Hurting Satisfaction," Jho Outlaw, senior vice president of Revenue Cycle Services for SIS, and Jessica...
Q&A with Jho Outlaw and Jessica Nelson
Following a recent webinar presentation on "Patient Collections: How to Improve Success Without Hurting Satisfaction," Jho Outlaw, senior vice president of Revenue Cycle Services for SIS, and Jessica...
SIS’ Ann Geier, MS, RN, CNOR, CASC, chief nursing officer and Daren Smith, BSN, RN, director of ASC solutions discuss the role electronic documentation plays in ambulatory surgery centers and take a look at the changing trends in a new article*...
SIS solutions take top spot in 14 of the survey's 18 performance areas of operational excellence, leading to #1 ASC EHR vendor ranking for fourth consecutive year.
ATLANTA – March 26, 2019 – Surgical Information Systems (SIS), an industry leader...
An ASC's governing board plays a pivotal role in supporting a center's efforts to keep patients and staff safe from infections and maintain compliance with rules and regulations (e.g., Medicare, accreditation). Here are 10 of a governing body's...
ASC management is no easy task. Besides overseeing the operations of a facility expected to provide exceptional surgical care that delivers optimal outcomes, management must work to meet the needs of its physicians while also overseeing a diverse...
How do you know if your ASC's business is doing well? Not just think you know, but how do you really know? That's where data comes in. Only by collecting appropriate data on key performance indicators (KPI) and then measuring your performance can...
Ann Geier, MS, RN, CNOR, CASC, chief nursing officer for Surgical Information Systems, provides tips on ASC management and succession planning in two articles recently published by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN).
Denied claims are an unfortunate but accepted fact of life for any ASC. If you submit claims to payers, you will receive denials. Some are likely to be justified; others not. But what does not — and should not — be accepted is receiving no...
Ann Geier, MS, RN, CNOR, CASC, chief nursing officer for Surgical Information Systems, provides guidance to help ASC professionals interested in and planning to pursue the Certified Administrator Surgery Center (CASC) credential secure support...
While ASCs have long asked patients to complete surveys following procedures, administrators and staff often paid insufficient attention to the results.
Investing in ambulatory surgery center software can provide numerous benefits to an ASC. It can deliver deep insight into a surgery center's financial, clinical, and/or operational performance. It can automate previously manual processes. It can...
Daren Smith, RN, director of ASC solutions for Surgical Information Systems, will present the webinar "When a Physician Leaves: Strategies for Surviving and Thriving" as part of the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) 2018 webinar series.
Case costing is a critical process for ensuring an ASC remains financially viable and successful. While it can be a lengthy process, there are numerous reasons why any time spent on case costing should be considered time well spent.
August is National ASC Month. Designated by the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA), National ASC Month is intended to celebrate ASCs and the ASC industry and help raise awareness of the multitude of benefits surgery centers deliver to...
Earning ASC accreditation can serve multiple purposes. By working to meet accreditation standards, ASCs are more likely to keep patients and staff safe. Accreditation is a way of demonstrating that an ASC is committed to delivering high-quality...
Following my recent presentation during a webinar hosted by SIS on "Boosting Staff Productivity: Getting the Most Out of Each Generation," I was asked three terrific questions. Here they are, along with my responses, summarized for readability.
Developing a strong relationship with your ASC's payors can yield significant benefits. It may help you secure better contracts and reimbursement rates. You may find it easier to address problems associated with denials and other billing...
As part of their efforts to ensure safety and maintain compliance with regulations from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), ASCs are expected to provide infection prevention and control training for their staff. Staff members who...
There are two scenarios in which ASC leadership will typically find itself under pressure to replace a surgeon who contributes significant case volume. The first — and preferable — scenario is a scheduled exiting from the ASC, such as one tied to...
You've been working as the administrator of an ASC for several years, and you're good at it. Your ASC performs well. Physicians and staff are happy. Outcomes are excellent. Distributions are consistent. But for some reason, it's becoming more...
Staff orientation in an ASC is more than just a requirement of state and accreditation surveyors. It is vital to delivering quality care, promoting safe practices, encouraging teamwork and securing buy-in of an ASC's mission and culture. Missteps...
An interview with six ASC professionals
Kara Newbury is the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association’s (ASCA) regulatory counsel. In this position, she spearheads ASCA’s federal regulatory efforts, primarily working with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Heather Ashby is...
While the various ASC accreditation organizations (e.g., AAAHC, The Joint Commission) have different standards they expect accredited surgery centers to meet, one area these organizations agree upon is how ASCs should approach quality assurance...
There are several reasons for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) to invest the time and resources in developing a robust quality assurance performance improvement (QAPI) program. The development, implementation and maintenance of an ongoing,...
SIS joins ASC industry professionals from throughout Ohio for this three-day event in Columbus.
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma expected to hit the Florida coast this weekend, we thought it would be a good idea to reissue this post from last year.
Quality Improvement studies can be an effective way to improve the clinical, administrative, and financial operations of your ambulatory surgery center. But when it comes to implementing an effective quality improvement program, many ASCs don’t...
Q: What is National ASC Week?
Danielle Kaster: Each year, members of Congress typically spend the entire month of August in their home states, taking advantage of opportunities to meet with their constituents and gain a better understanding of...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its "Guideline for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection (SSI)." The 2017 version of the guideline, published in the JAMA Surgery journal, updates the last version,...
There are more than 700 people in the U.S. who have earned the CASC (Certified Administrator Surgery Center) credential, but you might be surprised to find that they don’t all have traditional healthcare backgrounds. In this blog series, we'll...
Since materials represent the second highest expense for most ASCs, trailing staffing costs, the money and time lost due to poor materials management can add up quickly. On a positive note, this also means even small improvements to a poorly run...
Lean Six Sigma combines the concept of lean production, a waste-elimination method often associated with the Toyota Production System, and Six Sigma, a set of process improvement techniques and tools developed by an engineer for Motorola.
From May 3-6, administrative and clinical professionals from ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) across the country will convene in Washington, D.C. for ASCA 2017, the premier meeting for the ASC industry hosted by the Ambulatory Surgery Center...
AmkaiOffice Version 3.19 delivers enhanced claims management functionality to help ASCs more effectively manage high volumes and optimize productivity
Enhancements to the AmkaiOffice Electronic Remittance Posting (ERP) module enables ASCs to...
ATLANTA – March 22, 2017 – Surgical Information Systems (“SIS”), a leader in perioperative information systems announced the winners of the 2017 Perioperative Leadership Awards...
In honor of Patient Safety Awareness Week (March 12-18) we’re examining different aspects of patient safety in Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs). In this post, we look at three ways communication is vital to keeping patients safe.
We all know...
Q&A with Kara Newbury and Heather Ashby of the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA)
By Heather Keidel Hayes
Recruiting new staff and retaining existing talent is a common challenge that crosses industries. In the ambulatory surgery space, this issue is unique in that skilled surgeons are actively courted by multiple facilities...
Rapidly changing industry dynamics, regulatory changes brought on by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and other legislation, the transition to ICD-10, and increased patient responsibility pose significant challenges to the Ambulatory Surgery Center...
We previously discussed the year that was for ambulatory surgery centers in our column "ASCs in 2016: A Year in Review." With 2017 upon us, it's an appropriate time to look ahead to the year that will be.There are many areas of focus for ASCs in...
It might sound counterintuitive, but for an ambulatory surgery center (ASC), performing more cases doesn’t always mean making more money. If the total cost of a procedure exceeds the amount a payer will reimburse, the facility is the one that...
Daren Smith, RN, BSN, is a clinical solution specialist for AmkaiSolutions and Surgical Information Systems.
Opening a new outpatient surgery facility – whether it’s an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) or hospital outpatient department (HOPD) – can be a daunting task, especially when starting from the ground up with new construction, unestablished...
New product functionality streamlines registry participation
November 28, 2016 – AmkaiSolutions, a trusted industry leader in delivering comprehensive solutions to ambulatory surgery centers, today announced that AmkaiSolutions now facilitates...
Becker's 23rd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs brought ambulatory surgical center (ASC) leaders together with companies that develop services and solutions for the industry. SourceMed leaders shared their takeaways in a...
Last month is the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, which formed on October 22, 2012. We're also only a few weeks removed from destruction brought by Hurricane Matthew from the Caribbean to the U.S.The reality is that disaster can strike an...
Amit Jiwani is director of analytics for AmkaiSolutions and Surgical Information Systems. He presented on "Using Analytics for Insights to Accelerate Your ASC's Performance" at the Becker's ASC 23rd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of...
There are more than 700 people in the U.S. who have earned the CASC (Certified Administrator Surgery Center) credential, but you might be surprised to find that they're not all administrators. In this blog series, we'll get a personal look into...
Last week Becker's hosted its 23rd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs. This event, held in Chicago, is a must-attend for business and clinical leaders in the ambulatory surgical center (ASC) market, as well as for companies that...
There are more than 700 people in the U.S. who have earned the CASC (Certified Administrator Surgery Center) credential, but you might be surprised to find that they're not all administrators. In this blog series, we’ll get a personal look into...
Daren Smith, RN, BSN, is a clinical solution specialist for AmkaiSolutions and Surgical Information Systems. He will be serving on a panel discussing "Healthcare IT: Ideas and Solutions for ASCs" at the Becker's ASC 23rd Annual Meeting: The...
By Jessica Rutters, Administrator, Kingsport Day Surgery
Kingsport Day Surgery (KDS) is Medicare-approved, Joint Commission-accredited ASC has more than 50 credentialed multi-specialty providers in Tennessee. They offer services in specialties...
It's an exciting time to be in healthcare—especially the outpatient space. We're in the midst of a shift to value-based care, transitioning from the historical fee-per-service model to an approach that focuses on a better patient experience at a...
Daren Smith, RN, BSN, is a clinical solution specialist for AmkaiSolutions and Surgical Information Systems. He will be presenting on "Managing Your Quality Program" at the Alabama Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers ...
By Anne Dean of The ADA Group
Anne Dean, RN, BSN, is founder of The ADA Group, a consulting firm based in DeLand, Fla., specializing in ambulatory surgical development and regulatory compliance for ASC state licensure, Medicare certification and...
By Anne Dean of The ADA Group
Anne Dean, RN, BSN, is founder of The ADA Group, a consulting firm based in DeLand, Fla., specializing in ambulatory surgical development and regulatory compliance for ASC state licensure, Medicare certification and...
By Anne Dean of The ADA Group
Anne Dean, RN, BSN, is founder of The ADA Group, a consulting firm based in DeLand, Fla., specializing in ambulatory surgical development and regulatory compliance for ASC state licensure, Medicare certification and...
There are more than 700 people in the U.S. who have earned the CASC (Certified Administrator Surgery Center) credential, but you might be surprised to find that they're not all administrators. In this blog series, we’ll get a personal look into...
Thomas Pinelli is director of product management for AmkaiCharts. He will be serving as a panelist for a session on " Trends in ASC Technology" at the 3rd Annual New York Metro ASC Symposium, scheduled for September 14.
In a survey of over 8,000 physicians and clinical users of EHR systems, AmkaiSolutions ranked first among Ambulatory EHR vendors for customer satisfaction and loyalty.
The number of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in the U.S. has grown to rival that of hospitals, with more than 5,400 across the country that perform 23 million surgeries each year. Over the 40+ years since the first freestanding center opened...
As healthcare costs continue to rise while reimbursements fall, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have demonstrated an ability to control costs and save money – $38 billion, in fact. A recent study conducted by Healthcare Bluebook™ found that...
CASC Certification is a significant endorsement of the skills and knowledge that are needed to effectively manage an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). We've already explored what it means to be CASC Certified and how to maintain your certification,
Q&A with Charlie Immordino of Ambulatory Surgery Center Consultants
Charlie Immordino, RN, CASC, is principal and president/CEO of Ambulatory Surgery Center Consultants, LLC, and an Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care surveyor.
The Certified Administrator Surgery Center (CASC) credential is a tangible way to demonstrate your deep understanding of the skills and knowledge required to be a successful ASC administrator. But in order to earn the certification, you must pass...
AmkaiSolutions Launches New Analytics Solution to Help Ambulatory Surgery Centers Optimize their Businesses and Provide Exceptional Care
Easy-to-use, role-based dashboards enable end users to quickly identify trends and opportunities for...
With the demand for experienced ASC administrators rising, many candidates are taking additional steps toward advancing their career by earning a Certified Administrator Surgery Center (CASC) credential. In a previous post, we covered the basics...
Joan Dentler is president and CEO of Avanza Healthcare Strategies, which provides healthcare organizations with strategic guidance, with a focus on outpatient services and population health...
Competition for the best Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) administration jobs is very competitive, and the field is growing rapidly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for qualified Healthcare Administrators will increase by...
Three Initial Steps
by Rhonda Hixson, Principle Solution Architect, AmkaiSolutions
Armonk, NY – On January 26, 2016, AmkaiCharts EHR v.3.6 was approved by the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy to meet the requirement to use positive identification for anyone ordering or administering medications electronically. Positive...
Steven Selde is the ASC Association's (ASCA) assistant regulatory counsel. In this position he assists with ASCA's regulatory and legislative activities and outreach with an emphasis on health IT related issues, and serves as a liaison for the...
Do your research before you buy
By: Robert Kurtz
Although the Meaningful Use Program does not directly affect ASCs, the indirect effects are compelling ASCs to have a better understanding of EMRs, interoperability and the role of ASCs in the...
Jessica Edmiston, BS, CPC, CASCC, is the senior vice president of performance review and an AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM trainer with National Medical Billing Services (NMBS). NMBS provides billing and coding solutions for ambulatory surgery centers...
Phenelle Segal, RN, is founder and president of Infection Control Consulting Services, a provider of infection prevention services to a variety of healthcare facilities and organizations, including ASCs.
Kara Newbury is on the ASC Association's (ASCA) regulatory counsel. In this position, she spearheads ASCA’s federal regulatory efforts, primarily working with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Todd Logan, MBA, CASC, national vice president of sales for AmkaiSolutions, will serve on a panel at the upcoming Becker's ASC Review's 13th Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference + The Future of Spine in Chicago that...
Heather Ashby is the ASC Association's (ASCA) deputy director of advocacy. In this position, she manages the legislative, political and outreach activities of ASCA and serves as a liaison for the ASC industry to the U.S. Congress.
By Robert Zasa, Managing and Founding Partner, ASD Management
Robert Zasa, Managing and Founding Partner at ASD Management, has established himself as a premier thought leader in the ASC industry as his career growth has paralleled that of the...
By Sandra Jones, Executive Vice President and COO of ASD Management
Benchmarking is a key tool for leading ASCs. Through benchmarking, your organization can focus on specific areas for improvement, and demonstrate your success.
By Reed Martin, Chief Operating Officer, Surgical Management Professionals
Over the past decade, the goals of better quality and lower cost have caused an expansion in the number and type of surgical cases performed in ambulatory surgery centers,...
Ryan Crean is product manager for AmkaiCharts at AmkaiSolutions.
Scott Luba is director of business operations for Outpatient Surgery Center of Hilton Head in Hilton Head Island, S.C. The multi-specialty ASC uses the AmkaiCharts electronic medical record system. It recently underwent a survey by The Joint...
Cheryl Bloode is director at Memorial Spine & Neuroscience Center in South Bend, Ind.
Craig Veach, senior vice president of corporate relations of AmkaiSolutions, is featured in a new column in Becker's ASC Review.
By Heidi Babb, Vice President of Revenue Cycle, Partners Medical Consulting
Joan Mckibben is administrator and director of nursing for Ambulatory Surgery Center of Somerset in Bridgewater, N.J.
By Matthew Searles and Rich Searles of Merritt Healthcare*
When selling an interest in your ASC or endoscopy center, you can maximize the value that you receive by considering a number of key points. These include marketing the facility to a wide...
By Craig Veach, Sales Executive, AmkaiSolutions
In a report published by Becker's ASC Review titled "4 Things Great ASC Administrators Do to Prepare for the Future," Michelle Dickison, regional vice president, operations, for ASC management and development company Meridian Surgical Partners,...
August 15 marks the 10th anniversary of National ASC Day, a day when surgery centers across the country promote awareness of their contributions to their community by opening their doors and hosting National ASC Day events. These events include...
Susan Nance, RN, CASC, is administrator of Gateway Surgery Center in Phoenix, Ariz., a member of the AmSurg Corporation.
Steve Henry is administrator at Surgery Center at Liberty Hospital in Liberty, Mo.
By Rhonda Hixson, Director, Product Management, AmkaiOffice, AmkaiSolutions
An article recently appeared in Becker's ASC Review describing five frequent coding and billing errors that all ASCs should avoid.
Howard Mullins, RN, CASC, is administrator/chief nursing officer of Triangle Orthopaedics Surgery Center in Raleigh, N.C. The single-specialty ASC opened and went live with both the AmkaiCharts electronic medical records system and AmkaiOffice...
By Thomas Pinelli Jr., SVP Product Management AmkaiCharts, AmkaiSolutions
AmkaiSolutions is a firm believer in safe practices and the importance of the surgical time out, which is why we developed our AmkaiCharts electronic medical record system...
Rhonda Hixson is director of product management for AmkaiOffice at AmkaiSolutions.
Beverly Primeau, RN, MBA, is administrator for Concord Ambulatory Surgery Center in Concord, N.H. Concord Ambulatory Surgery Center is a multi-specialty ASC providing procedures in ENT; orthopedics; plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries;...
Tabitha Vaughn is administrator at St. Charles Surgery Center in St. Charles, Mo. The ASC opened and went live with AmkaiCharts and AmkaiOffice in mid-2012.
Kathy Allison, MHA, BSN, is vice president of Covenant Community Pain Solutions for ambulatory surgery center owner and operator Covenant Surgical Partners. Covenant has partnered with AmkaiSolutions since 2009.
Brenda Page, RN, MBA, is director and Sarah Moffat is business office manager for Carolina Center for Specialty Surgery in Charlotte, N.C. They have been an AmkaiSolutions partner since 2010.
Anne Dean, RN, BSN, is founder of The ADA Group, a consulting firm based in DeLand, Fla., specializing in ambulatory surgical development and regulatory compliance for ASC state licensure, Medicare certification and ASC accreditation.
One area ASCs often struggle with is how to make and track patient follow-up phone calls after a procedure. Our AmkaiCharts EMR solution includes essential features surgery centers can use to provide better post-operative care, thereby improving...
Steve Bowman, MHA, MBA, is administrator for Mercy Outpatient Surgery Center in Fort Smith, Ark. Mercy Outpatient Surgery Center is a multi-specialty ASC providing procedures in orthopedics, general surgery, otolaryngology (ENT), plastics,...
With ASCs typically only performing a few quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) studies each year, all must be worthwhile and deliver valuable insights into an ASC's operations. But achieving these objectives is easier said than...
Q&A with Jho Outlaw and Jessica Nelson
Following a recent webinar presentation on "Leveraging Technology to Enhance ASC Collections," Jho Outlaw, senior vice president of Revenue Cycle Services for SIS, and Jessica Nelson, director of Revenue...
While the purposes of quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) for ASCs are clear, achieving QAPI objectives can prove challenging. Failure to properly conduct QAPI studies can put an ASC into regulatory hot water with the Centers for...
Jennifer Bednarchik is the chief operations officer for Livonia Outpatient Surgery Center in Livonia, Michigan, where she has worked since 2011. Livonia recently implemented SIS Complete™, the cloud-based ASC management and clinical documentation...
Technology can greatly enhance an ASC's billing and collections efforts. Technology can improve claims completion and submission speed, boost staff productivity, decrease payment time, and reduce expenses, to name just a few ways the right...
The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) is the national voice for ASCs. Its staff works to ensure the interests of surgery centers are represented on the federal level and develops a wide range of resources to help ASCs deliver excellent...
Following a recent webinar presentation on "Stop Guessing, Start Measuring: Choosing Data-Based QAPI Study Topics," Daren Smith, director of ASC Solutions for Surgical Information Systems who previously worked as the director of clinical services...
The conclusion of August brings with it the end of National ASC Month — a time designated by the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) to celebrate ASCs and the surgery center industry while raising awareness of the benefits ASCs provide...
Opening a new surgery center requires a significant financial outlay for investors. There are those costs associated with developing the physical plant, purchasing equipment and supplies, and hiring and training staff. Once an ASC opens,...
Ann Geier, MS, RN, CNOR(E), CASC, is the chief nursing officer for Surgical Information Systems. She has worked in the ASC industry for more than 30 years and has been responsible for every aspect of ASC financial and clinical operations.
In...
Q&A with Jho Outlaw and Jessica Nelson
Following a recent webinar presentation on "Billing on Day 1" Jho Outlaw, senior vice president of Revenue Cycle Services for SIS, and Jessica Nelson, director of Revenue Cycle Services for SIS, fielded...
When researching electronic health record (EHR) systems, ASCs will find that they seem to have a lot of options. On the surface, this would appear to be advantageous. After all, more choices should mean more opportunities to identify the...
Daren Smith, director of ASC solutions for Surgical Information Systems, shares insight to help ASCs select the most appropriate quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) study topics in the June/July 2019 issue of ASC Focus.
Q&A with Jho Outlaw and Jessica Nelson
Following a recent webinar presentation on "Cleaning Up Your Claims: Techniques, Tips, and Tools," Jho Outlaw, senior vice president of Revenue Cycle Services for SIS, and Jessica Nelson, director of...
Over the past several years, the ASC industry has experienced significant changes. Patient responsibility is on the rise as high-deductible health plans continue to gain traction in the insurance market, and payers and employers shift more of the...
The combination of ASC management, clinical documentation, patient engagement, and physician mobile capabilities on a single database cloud platform redefines expectations for ASC software
Patient financial responsibility after insurance is growing at a rapid rate and showing no signs of slowing down. With patients increasingly responsible for a greater portion of their healthcare costs, ASCs must effectively collect these higher...
Q&A with Jho Outlaw and Jessica Nelson
Following a recent webinar presentation on "Patient Collections: How to Improve Success Without Hurting Satisfaction," Jho Outlaw, senior vice president of Revenue Cycle Services for SIS, and Jessica...
Q&A with Jho Outlaw and Jessica Nelson
Following a recent webinar presentation on "Patient Collections: How to Improve Success Without Hurting Satisfaction," Jho Outlaw, senior vice president of Revenue Cycle Services for SIS, and Jessica...
SIS’ Ann Geier, MS, RN, CNOR, CASC, chief nursing officer and Daren Smith, BSN, RN, director of ASC solutions discuss the role electronic documentation plays in ambulatory surgery centers and take a look at the changing trends in a new article*...
SIS solutions take top spot in 14 of the survey's 18 performance areas of operational excellence, leading to #1 ASC EHR vendor ranking for fourth consecutive year.
ATLANTA – March 26, 2019 – Surgical Information Systems (SIS), an industry leader...
An ASC's governing board plays a pivotal role in supporting a center's efforts to keep patients and staff safe from infections and maintain compliance with rules and regulations (e.g., Medicare, accreditation). Here are 10 of a governing body's...
ASC management is no easy task. Besides overseeing the operations of a facility expected to provide exceptional surgical care that delivers optimal outcomes, management must work to meet the needs of its physicians while also overseeing a diverse...
How do you know if your ASC's business is doing well? Not just think you know, but how do you really know? That's where data comes in. Only by collecting appropriate data on key performance indicators (KPI) and then measuring your performance can...
Ann Geier, MS, RN, CNOR, CASC, chief nursing officer for Surgical Information Systems, provides tips on ASC management and succession planning in two articles recently published by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN).
Denied claims are an unfortunate but accepted fact of life for any ASC. If you submit claims to payers, you will receive denials. Some are likely to be justified; others not. But what does not — and should not — be accepted is receiving no...
Ann Geier, MS, RN, CNOR, CASC, chief nursing officer for Surgical Information Systems, provides guidance to help ASC professionals interested in and planning to pursue the Certified Administrator Surgery Center (CASC) credential secure support...
While ASCs have long asked patients to complete surveys following procedures, administrators and staff often paid insufficient attention to the results.
Investing in ambulatory surgery center software can provide numerous benefits to an ASC. It can deliver deep insight into a surgery center's financial, clinical, and/or operational performance. It can automate previously manual processes. It can...
Daren Smith, RN, director of ASC solutions for Surgical Information Systems, will present the webinar "When a Physician Leaves: Strategies for Surviving and Thriving" as part of the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) 2018 webinar series.
Case costing is a critical process for ensuring an ASC remains financially viable and successful. While it can be a lengthy process, there are numerous reasons why any time spent on case costing should be considered time well spent.
August is National ASC Month. Designated by the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA), National ASC Month is intended to celebrate ASCs and the ASC industry and help raise awareness of the multitude of benefits surgery centers deliver to...
Earning ASC accreditation can serve multiple purposes. By working to meet accreditation standards, ASCs are more likely to keep patients and staff safe. Accreditation is a way of demonstrating that an ASC is committed to delivering high-quality...
Following my recent presentation during a webinar hosted by SIS on "Boosting Staff Productivity: Getting the Most Out of Each Generation," I was asked three terrific questions. Here they are, along with my responses, summarized for readability.
Developing a strong relationship with your ASC's payors can yield significant benefits. It may help you secure better contracts and reimbursement rates. You may find it easier to address problems associated with denials and other billing...
As part of their efforts to ensure safety and maintain compliance with regulations from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), ASCs are expected to provide infection prevention and control training for their staff. Staff members who...
There are two scenarios in which ASC leadership will typically find itself under pressure to replace a surgeon who contributes significant case volume. The first — and preferable — scenario is a scheduled exiting from the ASC, such as one tied to...
You've been working as the administrator of an ASC for several years, and you're good at it. Your ASC performs well. Physicians and staff are happy. Outcomes are excellent. Distributions are consistent. But for some reason, it's becoming more...
Staff orientation in an ASC is more than just a requirement of state and accreditation surveyors. It is vital to delivering quality care, promoting safe practices, encouraging teamwork and securing buy-in of an ASC's mission and culture. Missteps...
An interview with six ASC professionals
Kara Newbury is the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association’s (ASCA) regulatory counsel. In this position, she spearheads ASCA’s federal regulatory efforts, primarily working with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Heather Ashby is...
While the various ASC accreditation organizations (e.g., AAAHC, The Joint Commission) have different standards they expect accredited surgery centers to meet, one area these organizations agree upon is how ASCs should approach quality assurance...
There are several reasons for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) to invest the time and resources in developing a robust quality assurance performance improvement (QAPI) program. The development, implementation and maintenance of an ongoing,...
SIS joins ASC industry professionals from throughout Ohio for this three-day event in Columbus.
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma expected to hit the Florida coast this weekend, we thought it would be a good idea to reissue this post from last year.
Quality Improvement studies can be an effective way to improve the clinical, administrative, and financial operations of your ambulatory surgery center. But when it comes to implementing an effective quality improvement program, many ASCs don’t...
Q: What is National ASC Week?
Danielle Kaster: Each year, members of Congress typically spend the entire month of August in their home states, taking advantage of opportunities to meet with their constituents and gain a better understanding of...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its "Guideline for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection (SSI)." The 2017 version of the guideline, published in the JAMA Surgery journal, updates the last version,...
There are more than 700 people in the U.S. who have earned the CASC (Certified Administrator Surgery Center) credential, but you might be surprised to find that they don’t all have traditional healthcare backgrounds. In this blog series, we'll...
Since materials represent the second highest expense for most ASCs, trailing staffing costs, the money and time lost due to poor materials management can add up quickly. On a positive note, this also means even small improvements to a poorly run...
Lean Six Sigma combines the concept of lean production, a waste-elimination method often associated with the Toyota Production System, and Six Sigma, a set of process improvement techniques and tools developed by an engineer for Motorola.
From May 3-6, administrative and clinical professionals from ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) across the country will convene in Washington, D.C. for ASCA 2017, the premier meeting for the ASC industry hosted by the Ambulatory Surgery Center...
AmkaiOffice Version 3.19 delivers enhanced claims management functionality to help ASCs more effectively manage high volumes and optimize productivity
Enhancements to the AmkaiOffice Electronic Remittance Posting (ERP) module enables ASCs to...
ATLANTA – March 22, 2017 – Surgical Information Systems (“SIS”), a leader in perioperative information systems announced the winners of the 2017 Perioperative Leadership Awards...
In honor of Patient Safety Awareness Week (March 12-18) we’re examining different aspects of patient safety in Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs). In this post, we look at three ways communication is vital to keeping patients safe.
We all know...
Q&A with Kara Newbury and Heather Ashby of the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA)
By Heather Keidel Hayes
Recruiting new staff and retaining existing talent is a common challenge that crosses industries. In the ambulatory surgery space, this issue is unique in that skilled surgeons are actively courted by multiple facilities... Rapidly changing industry dynamics, regulatory changes brought on by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and other legislation, the transition to ICD-10, and increased patient responsibility pose significant challenges to the Ambulatory Surgery Center...
We previously discussed the year that was for ambulatory surgery centers in our column "ASCs in 2016: A Year in Review." With 2017 upon us, it's an appropriate time to look ahead to the year that will be.There are many areas of focus for ASCs in...
It might sound counterintuitive, but for an ambulatory surgery center (ASC), performing more cases doesn’t always mean making more money. If the total cost of a procedure exceeds the amount a payer will reimburse, the facility is the one that...
Daren Smith, RN, BSN, is a clinical solution specialist for AmkaiSolutions and Surgical Information Systems.
Opening a new outpatient surgery facility – whether it’s an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) or hospital outpatient department (HOPD) – can be a daunting task, especially when starting from the ground up with new construction, unestablished...
New product functionality streamlines registry participation
November 28, 2016 – AmkaiSolutions, a trusted industry leader in delivering comprehensive solutions to ambulatory surgery centers, today announced that AmkaiSolutions now facilitates...
Becker's 23rd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs brought ambulatory surgical center (ASC) leaders together with companies that develop services and solutions for the industry. SourceMed leaders shared their takeaways in a...
Last month is the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, which formed on October 22, 2012. We're also only a few weeks removed from destruction brought by Hurricane Matthew from the Caribbean to the U.S.The reality is that disaster can strike an...
Amit Jiwani is director of analytics for AmkaiSolutions and Surgical Information Systems. He presented on "Using Analytics for Insights to Accelerate Your ASC's Performance" at the Becker's ASC 23rd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of...
There are more than 700 people in the U.S. who have earned the CASC (Certified Administrator Surgery Center) credential, but you might be surprised to find that they're not all administrators. In this blog series, we'll get a personal look into...
Last week Becker's hosted its 23rd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs. This event, held in Chicago, is a must-attend for business and clinical leaders in the ambulatory surgical center (ASC) market, as well as for companies that...
There are more than 700 people in the U.S. who have earned the CASC (Certified Administrator Surgery Center) credential, but you might be surprised to find that they're not all administrators. In this blog series, we’ll get a personal look into...
Daren Smith, RN, BSN, is a clinical solution specialist for AmkaiSolutions and Surgical Information Systems. He will be serving on a panel discussing "Healthcare IT: Ideas and Solutions for ASCs" at the Becker's ASC 23rd Annual Meeting: The...
By Jessica Rutters, Administrator, Kingsport Day Surgery
Kingsport Day Surgery (KDS) is Medicare-approved, Joint Commission-accredited ASC has more than 50 credentialed multi-specialty providers in Tennessee. They offer services in specialties...
It's an exciting time to be in healthcare—especially the outpatient space. We're in the midst of a shift to value-based care, transitioning from the historical fee-per-service model to an approach that focuses on a better patient experience at a...
Daren Smith, RN, BSN, is a clinical solution specialist for AmkaiSolutions and Surgical Information Systems. He will be presenting on "Managing Your Quality Program" at the Alabama Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers ...
By Anne Dean of The ADA Group
Anne Dean, RN, BSN, is founder of The ADA Group, a consulting firm based in DeLand, Fla., specializing in ambulatory surgical development and regulatory compliance for ASC state licensure, Medicare certification and...
By Anne Dean of The ADA Group
Anne Dean, RN, BSN, is founder of The ADA Group, a consulting firm based in DeLand, Fla., specializing in ambulatory surgical development and regulatory compliance for ASC state licensure, Medicare certification and...
By Anne Dean of The ADA Group
Anne Dean, RN, BSN, is founder of The ADA Group, a consulting firm based in DeLand, Fla., specializing in ambulatory surgical development and regulatory compliance for ASC state licensure, Medicare certification and...
There are more than 700 people in the U.S. who have earned the CASC (Certified Administrator Surgery Center) credential, but you might be surprised to find that they're not all administrators. In this blog series, we’ll get a personal look into...
Thomas Pinelli is director of product management for AmkaiCharts. He will be serving as a panelist for a session on " Trends in ASC Technology" at the 3rd Annual New York Metro ASC Symposium, scheduled for September 14.
In a survey of over 8,000 physicians and clinical users of EHR systems, AmkaiSolutions ranked first among Ambulatory EHR vendors for customer satisfaction and loyalty.
The number of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) in the U.S. has grown to rival that of hospitals, with more than 5,400 across the country that perform 23 million surgeries each year. Over the 40+ years since the first freestanding center opened...
As healthcare costs continue to rise while reimbursements fall, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have demonstrated an ability to control costs and save money – $38 billion, in fact. A recent study conducted by Healthcare Bluebook™ found that...
CASC Certification is a significant endorsement of the skills and knowledge that are needed to effectively manage an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). We've already explored what it means to be CASC Certified and how to maintain your certification,
Q&A with Charlie Immordino of Ambulatory Surgery Center Consultants
Charlie Immordino, RN, CASC, is principal and president/CEO of Ambulatory Surgery Center Consultants, LLC, and an Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care surveyor.
The Certified Administrator Surgery Center (CASC) credential is a tangible way to demonstrate your deep understanding of the skills and knowledge required to be a successful ASC administrator. But in order to earn the certification, you must pass...
AmkaiSolutions Launches New Analytics Solution to Help Ambulatory Surgery Centers Optimize their Businesses and Provide Exceptional Care
Easy-to-use, role-based dashboards enable end users to quickly identify trends and opportunities for...
With the demand for experienced ASC administrators rising, many candidates are taking additional steps toward advancing their career by earning a Certified Administrator Surgery Center (CASC) credential. In a previous post, we covered the basics...
Joan Dentler is president and CEO of Avanza Healthcare Strategies, which provides healthcare organizations with strategic guidance, with a focus on outpatient services and population health...
Competition for the best Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) administration jobs is very competitive, and the field is growing rapidly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for qualified Healthcare Administrators will increase by...
Three Initial Steps
by Rhonda Hixson, Principle Solution Architect, AmkaiSolutions
Armonk, NY – On January 26, 2016, AmkaiCharts EHR v.3.6 was approved by the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy to meet the requirement to use positive identification for anyone ordering or administering medications electronically. Positive...
Steven Selde is the ASC Association's (ASCA) assistant regulatory counsel. In this position he assists with ASCA's regulatory and legislative activities and outreach with an emphasis on health IT related issues, and serves as a liaison for the...
Do your research before you buy
By: Robert Kurtz
Although the Meaningful Use Program does not directly affect ASCs, the indirect effects are compelling ASCs to have a better understanding of EMRs, interoperability and the role of ASCs in the...
Jessica Edmiston, BS, CPC, CASCC, is the senior vice president of performance review and an AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM trainer with National Medical Billing Services (NMBS). NMBS provides billing and coding solutions for ambulatory surgery centers...
Phenelle Segal, RN, is founder and president of Infection Control Consulting Services, a provider of infection prevention services to a variety of healthcare facilities and organizations, including ASCs.
Kara Newbury is on the ASC Association's (ASCA) regulatory counsel. In this position, she spearheads ASCA’s federal regulatory efforts, primarily working with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Todd Logan, MBA, CASC, national vice president of sales for AmkaiSolutions, will serve on a panel at the upcoming Becker's ASC Review's 13th Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference + The Future of Spine in Chicago that...
Heather Ashby is the ASC Association's (ASCA) deputy director of advocacy. In this position, she manages the legislative, political and outreach activities of ASCA and serves as a liaison for the ASC industry to the U.S. Congress.
By Robert Zasa, Managing and Founding Partner, ASD Management
Robert Zasa, Managing and Founding Partner at ASD Management, has established himself as a premier thought leader in the ASC industry as his career growth has paralleled that of the...
By Sandra Jones, Executive Vice President and COO of ASD Management
Benchmarking is a key tool for leading ASCs. Through benchmarking, your organization can focus on specific areas for improvement, and demonstrate your success.
By Reed Martin, Chief Operating Officer, Surgical Management Professionals
Over the past decade, the goals of better quality and lower cost have caused an expansion in the number and type of surgical cases performed in ambulatory surgery centers,...
Ryan Crean is product manager for AmkaiCharts at AmkaiSolutions.
Scott Luba is director of business operations for Outpatient Surgery Center of Hilton Head in Hilton Head Island, S.C. The multi-specialty ASC uses the AmkaiCharts electronic medical record system. It recently underwent a survey by The Joint...
Cheryl Bloode is director at Memorial Spine & Neuroscience Center in South Bend, Ind.
Craig Veach, senior vice president of corporate relations of AmkaiSolutions, is featured in a new column in Becker's ASC Review.
By Heidi Babb, Vice President of Revenue Cycle, Partners Medical Consulting
Joan Mckibben is administrator and director of nursing for Ambulatory Surgery Center of Somerset in Bridgewater, N.J.
By Matthew Searles and Rich Searles of Merritt Healthcare*
When selling an interest in your ASC or endoscopy center, you can maximize the value that you receive by considering a number of key points. These include marketing the facility to a wide...
By Craig Veach, Sales Executive, AmkaiSolutions
In a report published by Becker's ASC Review titled "4 Things Great ASC Administrators Do to Prepare for the Future," Michelle Dickison, regional vice president, operations, for ASC management and development company Meridian Surgical Partners,...
August 15 marks the 10th anniversary of National ASC Day, a day when surgery centers across the country promote awareness of their contributions to their community by opening their doors and hosting National ASC Day events. These events include...
Susan Nance, RN, CASC, is administrator of Gateway Surgery Center in Phoenix, Ariz., a member of the AmSurg Corporation.
Steve Henry is administrator at Surgery Center at Liberty Hospital in Liberty, Mo.
By Rhonda Hixson, Director, Product Management, AmkaiOffice, AmkaiSolutions
An article recently appeared in Becker's ASC Review describing five frequent coding and billing errors that all ASCs should avoid.
Howard Mullins, RN, CASC, is administrator/chief nursing officer of Triangle Orthopaedics Surgery Center in Raleigh, N.C. The single-specialty ASC opened and went live with both the AmkaiCharts electronic medical records system and AmkaiOffice...
By Thomas Pinelli Jr., SVP Product Management AmkaiCharts, AmkaiSolutions
AmkaiSolutions is a firm believer in safe practices and the importance of the surgical time out, which is why we developed our AmkaiCharts electronic medical record system...
Rhonda Hixson is director of product management for AmkaiOffice at AmkaiSolutions.
Beverly Primeau, RN, MBA, is administrator for Concord Ambulatory Surgery Center in Concord, N.H. Concord Ambulatory Surgery Center is a multi-specialty ASC providing procedures in ENT; orthopedics; plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries;...
Tabitha Vaughn is administrator at St. Charles Surgery Center in St. Charles, Mo. The ASC opened and went live with AmkaiCharts and AmkaiOffice in mid-2012.
Kathy Allison, MHA, BSN, is vice president of Covenant Community Pain Solutions for ambulatory surgery center owner and operator Covenant Surgical Partners. Covenant has partnered with AmkaiSolutions since 2009.
Brenda Page, RN, MBA, is director and Sarah Moffat is business office manager for Carolina Center for Specialty Surgery in Charlotte, N.C. They have been an AmkaiSolutions partner since 2010.
Anne Dean, RN, BSN, is founder of The ADA Group, a consulting firm based in DeLand, Fla., specializing in ambulatory surgical development and regulatory compliance for ASC state licensure, Medicare certification and ASC accreditation.
One area ASCs often struggle with is how to make and track patient follow-up phone calls after a procedure. Our AmkaiCharts EMR solution includes essential features surgery centers can use to provide better post-operative care, thereby improving...
Steve Bowman, MHA, MBA, is administrator for Mercy Outpatient Surgery Center in Fort Smith, Ark. Mercy Outpatient Surgery Center is a multi-specialty ASC providing procedures in orthopedics, general surgery, otolaryngology (ENT), plastics,...
