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The Texas ASC Society's Legislative Retreat

On January 19, 2024, TASCS members heard from state legislators and rule makers about what the future holds for regulatory and legislative changes that will directly impact the ambulatory care industry in Texas. 

 The Texas ASC Society at 2024 txlege retreat

The Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society (TASCS) board of directors and stakeholders met last week at the State Capitol in Austin, Texas, in order to focus on this year’s advocacy goals leading up to the next legislative session in 2025. 

The day started out with TASCS lobbyist, Eric Woomer of Congress Avenue Partners, reviewing the current state of Texas politics and the bills of interest that passed last session. Next up was a state agency panel discussing updates regarding ambulatory surgery center (ASC) rules and regulations. Sarah Mueller from Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) reviewed the itemized billing legislation that passed and the informal rules that were recently released by HHSC for stakeholder input prior to being published in the Texas Register. Mueller also spoke to the guidance letter sent to providers by HHSC. 

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Celebrating Legacy Staff At ASCs

The Texas ASC Society is honoring seasoned staff members of the ambulatory care industry.

This National ASC Month, the Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society (TASCS) wanted to do something special...

Amidst a workforce shortage and supply chain issues...despite a pandemic...over all the years, with all the changes...there have been dedicated employees who have stuck with it. They were tested, but they never gave up. For more than 50 years, ambulatory surgery centers have been delivering high-quality, cost-effective care, and the professionals listed below have been part of this for decade after decade.

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TASCS Road Trip Series: The TWC Gets Inside Glance Into The World Of Ambulatory Care

By tagging along with the TASCS team, the Texas Workforce Commission was able to learn the ins and outs of an ambulatory surgery center – Spicewood Surgery Center in Austin, Texas. 

This month, the Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center (TASCS) traveled back to Spicewood Surgery Center, visiting with Administrator Katie Pierson, DNP, RN, ONC and Collin Bradley, MPH, the Texas Workforce Commission’s (TWC) new Industry & Policy Specialist for Outreach & Employer Initiatives.

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TASCS Road Trip Series: Networking & Touring In Corpus Christi

After hosting a networking event for the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) industry, TASCS was able to tour three different ASCs in South Texas.

TASCS embarked on a remarkable summer road trip to Corpus Christi, Texas, joining fellow members of the South Texas ASC industry for a highly beneficial networking event. TASCS President Dallas Freyer, RN BSN, expressed her genuine delight, stating, "It was truly wonderful to unite with everyone at this long-awaited gathering."

Ambulatory surgery centers from around Corpus Christi gathered for a TASCS networking event, as well, which garnered significant attention and was well-attended. Attendees were warmly welcomed by local ASC celebrity, Freyer, who is widely recognized as an expert and mentor in the local market. Known for her reputation of inclusion and helpfulness, her presence added an extra layer of prestige to the occasion.

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TASCS Road Trip Series: Dallas Endoscopy Center's Grand Opening

While out and about this summer, the Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society toured a brand new center in Dallas, Texas.

On June 6, the Texas ASC Society team headed to Dallas for a tour and the grand opening of the new Dallas Endoscopy Center, which focuses on outpatient procedures for gastrointestinal endoscopy and colorectal surgery. Previously, this ambulatory surgery center was located on Central Exwpy in Dallas before moving to the downtown Dallas area on Crutcher St.
 
“The Dallas Endoscopy Center was in its previous location for over 18 years, but in the winter of 2020, we had the opportunity to purchase this location," said TASCS Board Member Susan Cheek, who serves as the administrator of the center. “This has been an almost three year-long project with some pretty major challenges, such as COVID and supply chain issues, but we could not be happier to be in our forever home and share our center opening with everyone today!"
 
Throughout the facility, there are pops of blue that perfectly match the brand's logo, as well as that add a comforting vibe everywhere from the waiting room and preop to recovery and even the anesthesia station. 
 
The space also features custom artwork from German-born artist Gisa Elwazir, who lives locally and was in attendance. The bright and whimsical imagery delights the senses and calms the nerves of all who enter.  
These design choices -- combined with the high-quality, cost-effective, patient-centric care, that is easily accessible-- are just a few of the reasons why the Dallas Endoscopy Center is a top choice for ambulatory surgery in Texas. We are thrilled to have Cheek on our board, we loved attending this event, and we are so excited about this facility's next steps!
 
Stay tuned to see where our summer road trip takes us next...

TASCS Road Trip Series: Another Stop At A Houston-Based ASC

The Texas ASC Society loves visiting different ambulatory surgery centers...like Fannin Surgicare in Houston!

fannin surgicare staff

Pictured: TASCS Team -- Executive Director Krista DuRapau and Membership & Meeting Coordinator Jennifer Schlabach + Fannin Surgicare Team -- Director of Clinical Operations Brandy Chapa, BSN; OR charge nurse Christina Bailey, BSN; Pre-Op/PACU Manager Karen Hawkins, BSN; Medical Director and anesthesiologist Dr. Steve Stayer; and Administrator Vidal Scuggs

The next stop on the Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society's road trip was Fannin Surgicare, an ambulatory surgery center located on the campus of The Woman's Hospital of Texas in Houston. Because of its location, women and children make up the bulk of its patients, with services including a large amount of upper/lower endoscopy, ENT, hearing restoration, urology, breast reconstruction, pediatric orthopedics, general surgery, and obstetrics-gynecology.

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TASCS Road Trip Series: Our First ASC Tour Of The Year

Each year, the Texas ASC Society heads out across the Lone Star State, stopping by to see ambulatory care leaders and touring their high-quality, cost-effective surgery centers...like the new Kelsey-Seybold Memorial Villages Campus!

the new Kelsey-Seybold Memorial Villages Campus

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You Attended Our Conference...Now What?

Another annual conference has come and gone for the Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society. There were SO many of you present as speakers, vendors, sponsors, and guests...businesses and groups from all over, coming together for the ambulatory surgery center industry. We hope you all benefited from the learning, the networking, and the fun (we're looking at you, bingo-playing chickens;).

2023 annual conference

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Chickens At An ASC Conference? Bingo.

Austin’s famous bingo-playing chickens will make a special appearance at the Texas ASC Society’s annual conference next week!

On Sunday, February 19, Krista DuRapau (the TASCS executive director) and Jenn Schlabach (the society’s membership and meeting coordinator), went to The Little Longhorn Saloon, an Austin honky-tonk dating back to WWII, for a game of chicken bingo. You’re probably wondering if chickens can actually play bingo, and TASCS can attest to the fact that, indeed, they doo-doo.

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Advocate for Your Center at National Advocacy Day

Mark your calendar for late February and early March of next year, and plan on joining us for ASCA’s National Advocacy Day, as well as Capitol Day and the TASCS 2023 Annual Conference.

ambulatory surgery center association advocacy day

National Advocacy Day and its fly-in, Capitol Day, and our 2023 Annual Conference are all just around the corner, and the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association’s (ASCA) David Opong-Wadee shared the importance of and the goals for these events.

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TASCS Summer Road Trip Series: Journal Entry #4

This summer, TASCS has been visiting ambulatory surgery centers throughout Texas, in order to learn even more about these facilities and to continue spreading awareness about the growing ASC industry.

tascs summer road trip series

Before the annual conference, the TASCS team visited NW Surgery. Founded by a physician in 1999, it is one of the longest-standing, independent, physician-owned surgery centers in Houston.

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TASCS Summer Road Trip Series: Journal Entry #3

This summer, TASCS has been visiting ambulatory surgery centers throughout Texas, in order to learn even more about these facilities and to continue spreading awareness about the growing ASC industry.

Spicewood Surgery Center in Austin

On July 22, the TASCS team visited Spicewood Surgery Center in Austin, which opened in December 2019. From the welcoming front office to the attention to detail, this single-specialty facility focuses on customized care that helps to improve patients' quality of life. 

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TASCS Summer Road Trip Series: Journal Entry #2

This summer, TASCS is visiting ambulatory surgery centers throughout Texas. The goal is to learn even more about these facilities and, by shining an even brighter spotlight on them, to continue spreading awareness about the growing ASC industry. 

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Pre-Conference Event Will Focus On Educating New ASC Administrators In Texas

Due to the demands that come with running an ambulatory surgery center (ASC), the Texas ASC Society will be hosting an afternoon of networking and learning, specifically for these healthcare professionals. 

The Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society’s (TASCS) annual conference is all about providing education, networking, learning, and marketing opportunities to the ambulatory surgery center industry, and we want to make sure all new ASC administrators have the tools and knowledge needed to succeed.

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The TASCS Annual Conference Invites The ASC Industry To Learn, Network & Have Some Fun At Margaritaville

TASCS is hosting its annual conference in August, in order to help educate and inspire members of the ambulatory surgery industry.

The Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society (TASCS) has spent over 10 years bringing healthcare professionals together, providing them with educational information, networking opportunities, and updates on ambulatory surgery center (ASC) developments. This year, attendees can pack their favorite Hawaiian shirts for the TASCS annual conference, taking place at Margaritaville Lake Resort in Lake Conroe from August 22 to 24.

The conference will feature several opportunities for continuing education credits for AEUs, ICPs, and CNEs, as well as offer panels over accreditation, healthcare policies, leadership in surgery centers, and more.

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Things To Do At/Around Lake Conroe’s Margaritaville Lake Resort

This tropical-inspired getaway will serve as the backdrop for the only event dedicated to ASCs in Texas. Before, after, and throughout the conference, attendees can enjoy the sights and spots offered up by Montgomery, Houston, and beyond.

Every year, the Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society (TASCS) gathers the ambulatory care industry together at its annual conference, and this year, the education, networking, learning, and marketing opportunities will take place at Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe | Houston.

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TASCS Summer Road Trip Series: Journal Entry #1

This summer, TASCS will be visiting ambulatory surgery centers throughout the great state of Texas. The goal is to learn even more about these facilities, including the procedures that are performed there and the healthcare professionals who work there. By shining an even brighter spotlight on ASCs, TASCS continues to spread awareness about the benefits of this booming industry. 

The first stop on the TASCS Summer Road Trip Series was North Pines Surgery Center in Conroe, Texas. Here, TASCS Executive Director Krista DuRapau and Membership & Events Manager Jennifer Schlabach met with Tammy Stanfield, the facility’s administrator and a TASCS member.

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TASCS Board Member Attends ASC Nurse Leadership Conference

Adam Hornback, the Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society’s treasurer, attended The ASC Nurse Leadership Conference, where he picked up some useful tips and tricks during the educational and engaging event.

Last month, Progressive Surgical Solutions hosted The ASC Nurse Leadership Conference in Dallas, Texas. TASCS treasurer, Adam Hornback, attended the conference, which worked to bring three critical elements together: ambulatory surgery centers, nurses, and leadership. “At Progressive, we understand that ASC nurse leaders play a vital role in the overall success of your organization,” the brand’s website states. Therefore, the event helps nurses grow and improve processes, as well as maintain compliance and better support teams during these uncertain times.

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International Infection Prevention Week

International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) reminds us that while our industry was turned upside down and continues to be challenged by COVID-19, basic practices to prevent procedure- and surgical site-related infections remain critical to protecting patients and maintaining the reputation of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) as providers of safe, high-quality care.

Consider using this year's IIPW as an opportunity to put infection prevention and infection control in the spotlight in your ASC. Encourage staff members to take this week to further step up their infection prevention and control efforts and then hold themselves accountable to the highest level of performance in these areas going forward. Let's review some of the key facets of a successful ASC infection prevention and control program.

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TASCS Hosts Successful & Safe Annual Conference

Last month, the Texas Ambulatory Surgery Center Society hosted its annual conference in Fort Worth. For (10) years, TASCS has hosted this conference to educate and build connections within the healthcare community. This year, the conference faced a new challenge, with COVID and its variants, but the society made sure to provide masks, temperature-testing and other safety measures — including sponsor DisinfectWell’s disinfecting system — to create a comfortable environment for the 145 guests.

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