Even as health systems pour capital into ASCs, Becker’s has reported on five health systems closing ASCs this year, driven by shrinking patient volumes, financial pressures and shifting network strategies.
Here are the four health systems closing ASCs:
1. Catholic Health System is closing Sterling Surgical Center in Orchard Park, N.Y., citing declining patient volume, and relocating its surgical services to other ASCs in its network. Sterling Surgical Center, which opened in 2002 with a focus on outpatient ophthalmology and gastroenterology procedures, has seen volume decline to low levels over the past 12 months.
2. Baltimore-based LifeBridge Health will shutter its Ellicott City (Md.) Ambulatory Surgery Center due to low procedure volume. The freestanding ASC’s closure affected 23 employees and took effect between March 7 and April 6.
3. Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster, Ohio, closed an ASC and sleep medicine services this spring as it implements cost-reduction strategies ahead of its planned acquisition by Columbus-based OhioHealth.
4. Ogdensburg, N.Y.-based North Star Health Alliance shared plans June 24 to close its North Country Orthopaedic Ambulatory Surgery Center and its North Country Orthopaedic Group, both in Watertown, N.Y. The closures are part of North Star’s ongoing restructuring and operational stabilization efforts, and affect orthopedic, endocrinology and physical therapy services.
5. Vandalia Health is closing the SurgiCare outpatient surgical facility at CAMC Memorial Hospital in Charleston, W.Va., citing a need to reduce duplication and maximize efficiency. Surgical services will be consolidated at the Outpatient Surgery Center at CAMC General Hospital and the main operating rooms at CAMC Memorial and CAMC Women and Children’s Hospital.
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