Over the past several years cardiology and cardiovascular procedures have seen a sharp increase in ASC settings. According to Avanza’s 2022 Key ASC Benchmarks and Industry Figures Report, cardiology was the fastest growing ASC specialty over the last year.
“In the near future we will see more orthopedic, spine and cardiac procedures in the ASC setting,” Cherise Brown, administrator of Andover (Kan.) Surgery Center, told Becker’s in a Sept. 22nd interview. ” The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently added several cardiac procedures to the ASC covered procedure list, including diagnostic and interventional coronary procedures, peripheral vascular interventions, and placement of pacemakers and defibrillators.”
The additions by CMS have led to a surge in cardiology-focused, single-specialty ASC’s. Avanza reports that cardiology, along with musculoskeletal and urology, is among the three specialties projected to experience the highest Medicare payment increases in 2022. With an annual ASC growth rate of 2.5-percent, and over 6,000 ASCs already established in the United States, physicians are flocking to create new ASCs, or add cardiology services to existing locations, in order to take advantage of the trend.
SCA Health and you
As cardiology continues to move further into the ASC setting, SCA Health is working to ensure our physicians are informed and prepared to maximize the opportunity at hand.
“Our clinical staff members have the skills and experience needed to start a cardiovascular program from licensing and accreditation to site surveys, competencies, emergency drills, equipment, and product selections,” Marty Taglauer, SCA Health Director of Cardiovascular Program Development told Becker’s. “We work closely with facilities to treat their first patients and then provide ongoing care.”
A proven track record of high-quality care and commitment to positive patient outcomes has solidified SCA Health as a leader in cardiovascular care. With several high performing ASCs already established, we have created guidelines and best practices that ensure that patients receive the highest quality care possible. No matter what location they visit.
“SCA Health tracks benchmarks internally for quality, patient satisfaction and physician satisfaction,” Kami Dinkle, Director of Operations for SCA Health said. “If variances arise, we have processes in place to identify and address those quickly. We have embraced a continuous improvement mindset and we have a network for information sharing,”
To learn more about how SCA Health can assist your ASC, click here.
Resources
Avanza: Benchmark Report
Becker’s: Cardiology is ASCs Next Big Thing
Becker’s: Movement of CV to Outpatient Setting
