Mike Saunders, CPA, is joining Richardson, Texas-based anesthesia services provider National Partners in Healthcare as president and CEO.

Anesthesia practices should only establish a chronic pain sub-group when they're ready to make critical investments in people and infrastructure, according to Anesthesia Business Consultants President and CEO Tony Mira.

Opioid use following outpatient surgery isn't a significant driver of postoperative adverse events, according to a study published in The American Journal of Surgery.

Denver-based UCHealth's Greeley (Colo.) Emergency and Surgery Center reduced opioid use by participating in a state pilot program in 2017, the Reporter-Herald reports.

Integrative Pain Center of America in Rock Island, Ill., closed after an anesthesiologist who practiced there had his license suspended, the Dispatch-Argus reports.

Issues facing anesthesia practices in 2018 included price transparency, operating room efficiency and informed consent, according to Anesthesia Business Consultants President and CEO Tony Mira.

Anesthesia Consultants of Savannah (Ga.) joined Norcross, Ga.-based anesthesia services provider Epix Healthcare Associates.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists applauded HHS's newly released recommendations for pain management protocols.

CRH Medical Corp. acquired Evansville, Ind.-based Anesthesia Care Associates, a gastroenterology anesthesia practice.

An HHS task force issued a draft report calling for individualized, patient-centered pain management protocols.

The Michigan Board of Osteopathic Medicine revoked the license of Traverse City, Mich.-based pain management physician Jonathan Gale Robertson, DO, after sexual assault allegations emerged against him, the Traverse City Record Eagle reports.

Nashville, Tenn.-based Envision Physician Services Regional Medical Director and National Education Director Adam Blomberg, MD, spoke to Becker's ASC Review about the current anesthesiologist practice environment and offered leadership advice for young anesthesiologists. 

Nashville, Tenn.-based Envision Physician Services named H. Cory Weitzner, MD, its 2018 Anesthesiology Physician of the Year because of his leadership and commitment to patients.

Rock Island County State's Attorney John McGee brought two counts of criminal sex abuse against anesthesiologist Venkateswara Rao Karuparthy, MD, Dispatch-Argus reports.

The start of a new year is a time for reflection. It presents a marked occasion to look back at accomplishments—both personal and professional— and identify opportunities for improvement. Healthcare facilities resolving to pursue a path toward improvement should apply focus to value-based care in order to meet, and very possibly exceed, their goals for the new year.

Three individuals who pleaded guilty to involvement in a pill mill scheme are scheduled for sentencing Dec. 20, The Brunswick News reports. 

A Savannah, Ga.-based anesthesiologist assistant who makes $160,000 a year broke down how she spends her money in Refinery29's Money Diaries series.

Atlanta-based Georgia Pain and Wellness Center's Amit Patel, MD, implanted a pain management device with a special backstory, KARE 11 reports.

Tampa, Fla.-based Physician Partners of America opened a pain relief group at its new Merritt Island (Fla.) Medical Pavilion, Space Coast Daily reports.

Anesthesia providers or groups aren't likely to receive the full 7 percent bonus for Merit-Based Incentive Payment System participation in 2019, according to Anesthesia Business Consultants President and CEO Tony Mira.