Care Coordination

A task force of the American Society of Anesthesiologists has developed updated guidelines for chronic pain management that focus on optimizing pain control, enhancing functional abilities, enhancing patients' quality of life and minimizing adverse outcomes.

Joseph Stapleton, MD, is an anesthesiologist, pain physician and a partner at East Portland Surgical Center in Happy Valley, OR.

Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kan., has been accepted as a supporter member into the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions for its 17 pediatric services, according to a report in the Wichita Business Journal.

St. David's HealthCare has signed a lease with REIT Management & Research to build a freestanding emergency room in Bee Cave, Texas, according to a report in the Community Impact Newspaper.

Scott & White Healthcare in Temple, Texas, will spend $32 million to convert 150-bed King's Daughters Hospital to a regional children’s hospital, according to a Scott & White release.

Lane Regional Medical Center in Zachary, La., is opening its new $1.1 million Endoscopy Center on the third floor of its Lane Medical Plaza, according to a report in The Advocate.

An anesthesiology group has to constantly change to remain viable, says Howard Konowitz, MD, managing partner of Midwest Anesthesiologists HBRJ, a seven-physician group in Melrose Park, Ill. "If you can't reinvent the practice every nine months," he says, "you can't…

The Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Veterans Affairs Medical Center has opened a 1,400-square-foot clinic dedicated to serving women's medical needs, according to a report by the Tuscaloosa News.

Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, Pa., has begun a renovation and expansion of its ED, according to a report by the Pittsburgh Business Times.

On March 23, Somnia Anesthesia Services hosted a Webinar titled, "Improving Operating Room and Anesthesia Efficiency in Your Hospital," which highlighted how anesthesia efficiency can affect OR efficiencies and a hospital's revenues.