Surgistrategies News Only Feed

CMS Releases Memo Aimed at Helping Facilities Identify Quality Measures

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 21:45:00 GMT

PHILADELPHIA—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of Clinical Standards and Quality recently released a memo entitled, “Identifying Payment Year (PY) 2014 End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Quality Incentive Program (QIP) Measures Applicable to Your Facility; Actions Required by Your Facility to Ensure Correct Scoring;

Spine Surgeon Dr. Kenneth Pettine to Co-Host Meeting on Ambulatory Spine Surgery

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Leading spine surgeons and ambulatory surgery center experts will gather in Dallas in October for a unique symposium.

CMS: ICD-10 2014 Date Official

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 19:08:00 GMT

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the final rule setting the ICD-10 implementation date as Oct. 1, 2014.

National ASC Day Scheduled for Oct. 11, 2012

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 18:36:00 GMT

Outpatient surgical facilities have an excellent marketing opportunity at their fingertips with October's National ASC Day.

Iowa City Ambulatory Surgical Center Receives APEX Quality Award for Second Consecutive Year

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:41:00 GMT

Based solely on patient feedback, an Iowa ASC received national recognition for excellence in patient satisfaction and delivery of care.

ASCA Representatives Meet with FDA Regarding Drug Shortages and Single-Dose Vials

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:19:00 GMT

At a recent meeting, the FDA had several suggestions for ASCs facing shortages of injectable anesthesia drugs and issues with single-use vials.

Government Accountability Office Studies Unsafe Injection Practices in ASCs

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:10:00 GMT

The government is reviewing a decade of CDC data on outbreaks of viral hepatitis associated with unsafe injection practices in the ASC setting.

NQF Endorses Measures in AMA Toolkit to Promote Effective Communication and Patient-Centered Care

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 19:10:00 GMT

The Communication Climate Assessment Toolkit is an organizational performance measurement resource that helps medical professionals better meet the needs of a diverse patient population.

Practice-Management Training and Certification Available

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 14:00:00 GMT

From compliance and medical office accounting to HR, healthcare revenue cycle management, HIPAA and operational flow, practice management requires a diverse skill set. A new AAPC certification brings added professional acknowledgement to the role.

L.A. Surgery Center Notes an Increase in Nasal Infections after Nose Jobs with Implants

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 16:20:00 GMT

Dr. Carlo Honrado is concerned after seeing three recent cases of MRSA in patients – decades after they've had rhinoplasty surgery with implants.

Accountable-Care Partnerships an Industry Priority under Healthcare Reform; ICD-10 Slips

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 23:14:00 GMT

Despite conflicting thoughts about the potential effectiveness of accountable care organizations, a recent survey reveals that the healthcare finance industry is shifting its focus to healthcare reform initiatives and infrastructure.

Orthognathic Surgery and Recovery Have Different Anesthetic Requirements

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 17:15:00 GMT

Study shows propofol and remifentanil can lead to greater postoperative pain for maxillofacial surgery patients.

Survey Finds One-Third of Physicians to Leave Medicine Within Next Decade

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:37:00 GMT

Whether retirement-age or younger, one survey reveals alarming numbers of physicians are considering leaving the profession.

Drug Supply Legislation Passed

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:41:00 GMT

A new law goes into effect in October with provisions that could help decrease the potential for future drug shortages.

ASCA 2013 Conference Info

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 14:00:00 GMT

The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association is gathering input regarding education topics and speakers for its 2013 conference.

U.S. Mammograms Decline After Task Force Recommendation

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Research shows routine mammograms declined among women in their 40s – in tandem with USPSTF guidelines regarding the practice.

Skewed Results? Failure to Account for Clinical Trial Drop-Outs Can Lead to Erroneous Findings in Top Medical Journals

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 11:00:00 GMT

A study of publications in the world’s top five general medical journals finds that when clinical trials do not account for participants who dropped out, results are biased and may even lead to incorrect conclusions. It happens more often than one might think.

Physical Activity Reduces Compensatory Weight Gain After Liposuction

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 11:00:00 GMT

A study shows liposuction can induce the growth of visceral fat; the effect of which not only can – but should – be counteracted by physical activity.

Survey: Physician Recruitment Trends

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:10:00 GMT

A MGMA survey on physician placement may provide valuable insight to ASCs looking to recruit new talent.

CMS Releases 2013 Proposed Medicare Payment Rates

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 20:38:00 GMT

As CMS makes public its 2013 proposed payment rule for ASCs and HOPDs, it's clear that the gap between ASC and HOPD reimbursement rates continues to grow.