Bill Heath, chief development officer of Practice Partners in Healthcare, discusses the current state of ASCs.
Q: How has the recession affected ASCs?
Bill Heath: Volumes are down and physicians are thinking more carefully about spending money. On the flip side, the recession makes surgeons think more about strengthening their practices outside of the hospital.
Q: Are some areas of the country overbuilt?
BH: It really depends on the market. For instance, Maryland has a plethora of one-OR ASCs, due to its CON law, but there are still pockets I the state where surgery centers are needed. Not every market has of ASCs that fill the needs of surgeons in that market. An area is not overbuilt as long as there is still a group of unaffiliated surgeons who want to start a viable ASC.
Q: How many surgeons do you need to start an ASC?
BH: The critical mass needed depends on a variety of factors, such as specialty and physicians' commitment to doing cases in the ASC. Two doctors may be all that is needed for a one-OR ASC.
Learn more about Practice Partners in Healthcare.
Read more insight from the leadership of Practice Partners in Healthcare:
- 4 Issues to Address When Starting an ASC
- 10 Best Practices for Recruiting New Partners to Your ASC
- ASC Best Practice: Keep Reevaluating Custom Packs and Trays
Q: How has the recession affected ASCs?
Bill Heath: Volumes are down and physicians are thinking more carefully about spending money. On the flip side, the recession makes surgeons think more about strengthening their practices outside of the hospital.
Q: Are some areas of the country overbuilt?
BH: It really depends on the market. For instance, Maryland has a plethora of one-OR ASCs, due to its CON law, but there are still pockets I the state where surgery centers are needed. Not every market has of ASCs that fill the needs of surgeons in that market. An area is not overbuilt as long as there is still a group of unaffiliated surgeons who want to start a viable ASC.
Q: How many surgeons do you need to start an ASC?
BH: The critical mass needed depends on a variety of factors, such as specialty and physicians' commitment to doing cases in the ASC. Two doctors may be all that is needed for a one-OR ASC.
Learn more about Practice Partners in Healthcare.
Read more insight from the leadership of Practice Partners in Healthcare:
- 4 Issues to Address When Starting an ASC
- 10 Best Practices for Recruiting New Partners to Your ASC
- ASC Best Practice: Keep Reevaluating Custom Packs and Trays