AMSURG Reminds Americans to Seek Care in Fight Against Colorectal Cancer

by

With 200,000 Colonoscopies Missed in 2020, National Leader in Colorectal Cancer Detection and Prevention Stresses Importance of Early Detection and Treatment

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — AMSURG, a division of Envision Healthcare and a national leader in outpatient care, is raising awareness about colorectal cancer (CRC), encouraging individuals who are at average risk to begin routine screenings at age 45 and not delay essential screenings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. – that’s not a statistic Americans should accept. Together, we can change this,” said Jeff Snodgrass, President of AMSURG. “Routine screenings like colonoscopies detect and prevent colorectal cancer. With proper screenings, people can reduce their chances of developing serious health complications from colorectal cancer.”

Routine screenings play an essential role in helping people detect and prevent CRC. When detected early, CRC can be easier to treat, and patients often have better outcomes. The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 150,000 people will be diagnosed with CRC in 2021. Although the rate of people being diagnosed with CRC has dropped in recent years, the incidence in young adults is increasing. AMSURG data reveals that since 2019, pre-cancerous polyps have been found in one out of four patients under the age of 50 who have undergone a colonoscopy.

Medical consensus is building for Americans 45 and older to receive routine screenings for CRC. The American Cancer Society lowered the recommended screening age from 50 to 45 in 2019. In 2020, the United States Preventive Services Task Force shared a draft recommendation to lower the screening age to 45.

“Every year, every month counts with CRC,” said Brenda Thompson Green, AMSURG employee. “Four years ago, I was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 46. Had I been encouraged to get screened a year earlier, there’s the potential that I could have had a much more positive outcome and not required such intense treatment. I am alive today because I listened to my body, sought the appropriate care and received a screening colonoscopy at the suggestion of my physician. Until the screening age is more broadly accepted, I cannot stress how important it is for people to know their family history, understand the symptoms and not delay care.”

AMSURG is the national leader in providing colonoscopies – a comprehensive procedure in which physicians can detect and remove polyps before they become cancerous. A colonoscopy is instrumental in helping people maintain their health and quality of life. CRC does not disappear during a pandemic. In 2021, AMSURG revealed that more than 200,000 of its patients missed their colonoscopies, and based on statistical expectations, approximately 900 of these people would have CRC.

“At our centers, we provide patients essential care and support the health of communities – even during a pandemic,” said John Popp, MD, Medical Director for AMSURG. “We continue to adhere to rigorous quality and safety measures to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 exposure. People should be on the lookout for CRC symptoms, such as a persistent change in bowel habits, including diarrhea, constipation or a change in the consistency of their stool. Rectal bleeding, persistent abdominal discomfort, or a feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely may also be warning signs.”

###

About AMSURG

AMSURG acquires, develops and operates ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) in partnership with physicians throughout the United States. As of January 1, 2021, AMSURG owned and operated 257 ASCs in 34 states and the District of Columbia with medical specialties ranging from gastroenterology to ophthalmology and orthopaedics. To learn more about AMSURG, a division of Envision Healthcare Corporation, visit www.amsurg.com.

About Envision Healthcare Corporation

Envision Healthcare Corporation is a leading national medical group that delivers physician and advanced practice provider services, primarily in the areas of emergency and hospitalist medicine, anesthesiology, radiology/teleradiology, and neonatology to more than 1,800 clinical departments in healthcare facilities in 45 states and the District of Columbia. Post-acute care is delivered through an array of clinical professionals and integrated technologies which, when combined, contribute to efficient and effective population health management strategies. As a leader in ambulatory surgical care, the medical group owns and operates 257 surgery centers in 34 states and the District of Columbia, with medical specialties ranging from gastroenterology to ophthalmology and orthopedics. In total, the medical group offers a differentiated suite of clinical solutions on a national scale with a local understanding of our communities, creating value for health systems, payers, providers, and patients. For additional information, visit www.envisionhealth.com.

National Glaucoma Awareness Month: Halt the Sneak Thief of Sight with Early Detection

by

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, and AMSURG wants to spread the word about this sight-stealing disease.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss in the United States. More than 3 million people in the United States, and over 60 million people worldwide, have glaucoma. The National Eye Institute projects this number will reach 4.2 million in the United States by 2030, a 40 percent increase.

Sometimes known as the “The Sneak Thief of Sight,” glaucoma is a blanket term for a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. Glaucoma has no cure and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Once the damage is done to the optic nerve, a large amount of vision can be permanently lost without someone noticing.

“Glaucoma is labeled a ‘sneak thief’ because it does just that – it sneaks up on you and does damage without you noticing,” Dr. Jeff Taylor, an ophthalmologist with The Eye Surgery Center of Paducah, Kentucky, said. “That loss of vision doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a gradual process that will eventually result in permanent loss of vision if it is not adequately treated, all happening without you knowing.”

What are some common risk factors for glaucoma?

  • Age 45 or older
  • Family history of glaucoma
  • History of injury to the eye
  • African American heritage
  • History of steroid use, either in the eye (drops) or systemically (orally or injected)
  • Diabetes
  • Nearsighted (myopic)
  • Farsighted (hyperopic)
  • History of elevated intraocular pressure

Early detection is critical to preventing glaucoma from damaging your vision, and the best way to protect your sight is to get a comprehensive eye examination. If glaucoma is detected in a comprehensive eye exam, your eye doctor will design a treatment plan for you. Your doctor will go over the treatment options available and make recommendations for which treatment or combinations of treatments are best for your specific condition.

“If we can document that something is changing with your optic nerve or peripheral vision early, then we can start treatment,” Dr. Taylor said. “Promising new research on glaucoma is conducted every day trying to find a cure, but until that is found, we will continue to use tools like early detection to preserve sight.”

In 2020, AMSURG centers provided thousands of glaucoma procedures. AMSURG is proud to partner with more than 60 ophthalmology and multispecialty centers, and five ophthalmology practice locations, to provide high-quality patient care and consistently work on prevention, awareness, improved treatment methods and new procedure technologies for patients with glaucoma.

Want to know if you’re at risk? Click here to take a glaucoma risk assessment and find out. Or click here to request an appointment for a comprehensive eye exam at an AMSURG Center.

AMSURG Reports Nearly 200,000 Patients Have Missed Colonoscopies Since Start of Pandemic

by

Colonoscopies Are Essential in the Prevention, Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer, the Second Leading Cause of Cancer Death

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — AMSURG, a division of Envision Healthcare and a national leader in providing outpatient endoscopic procedures, released new data today on the impact COVID-19 has had on colonoscopies, a vital medical screening test used to detect, prevent and treat colon cancer.

According to AMSURG’s internal data, more than 195,000 patients have missed colonoscopies since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. AMSURG estimates that its clinicians would have diagnosed more than 850 people with colorectal cancer in those missed cases. Additionally, AMSURG’s analysis found that if this trend continues, it expects to screen almost 32,000 fewer patients for the remainder of 2020 — potentially another 140 undiagnosed cases. The American Cancer Society has estimated there will be approximately 148,000 new cases of colorectal cancer in 2020.

“Based on historical data for this time last year, we would have removed polyps from more than 82,000 patients before they turned cancerous,” said John Popp, MD, Medical Director for AMSURG. “Screening colonoscopies are crucial in detecting, treating and preventing colon cancer, which is the second most common cause of cancer death in the U.S. When diagnosed early, it is often easier to treat, and patients have an increased chance of survival.”

In recent years, more people under the age of 50 have been diagnosed with colon cancer. A colonoscopy is the only screening test that can both detect and prevent colorectal cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, the recommended age to begin screening average-risk people is 45. People at a higher risk include those with a family history of colorectal cancer or pre-malignant polyps, inflammatory bowel disease and certain lifestyle habits. Colon cancer also disproportionately impacts the Black community, which sees higher colon cancer rates and deaths than any other racial or ethnic group.

“As the national leader in the detection and prevention of colon cancer, it is very concerning to see so many patients missing their colonoscopies,” said Jeff Snodgrass, President of AMSURG. “While we all must continue taking precautions to put public health first during the COVID-19 pandemic, people should not delay essential and potentially lifesaving care. AMSURG continues to take all necessary measures to protect the health and safety of our teammates, patients and communities. We have high-quality and safety standards and rigid infection control protocols in place to protect our teams and patients. Our medical facilities remain open for essential care, such as colonoscopies.”

Through its network of ambulatory surgery centers, AMSURG partners with physicians to provide high-quality, same-day outpatient care to patients in communities across the country. AMSURG specializes in gastroenterology, orthopaedic, and ophthalmology and is the leading provider of colonoscopies in the U.S.

###

About Envision Healthcare Corporation

Envision Healthcare Corporation is a leading national medical group that delivers physician and advanced practice provider services, primarily in the areas of emergency and hospitalist medicine, anesthesiology, radiology/teleradiology, and neonatology to more than 1,800 clinical departments in healthcare facilities in 45 states and the District of Columbia. Post-acute care is delivered through an array of clinical professionals and integrated technologies which, when combined, contribute to efficient and effective population health management strategies. As a market leader in ambulatory surgical care, the medical group owns and operates 257 surgery centers and one surgical hospital in 34 states and the District of Columbia, with medical specialties ranging from gastroenterology to ophthalmology and orthopedics. In total, the medical group offers a differentiated suite of clinical solutions on a national scale with a local understanding of our communities, creating value for health systems, payers, providers, and patients. For additional information, visit www.envisionhealth.com.

About AMSURG

AMSURG acquires, develops and operates ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) in partnership with physicians throughout the United States. As of January 1, 2020, AMSURG owned and operated 257 ASCs and one surgical hospital in 34 states and the District of Columbia with medical specialties ranging from gastroenterology to ophthalmology and orthopaedics. To learn more about AMSURG, a division of Envision Healthcare Corporation, visit www.amsurg.com.

AMSURG is Proud to Exceed National Benchmarks for Patient Experience Scores

by

Press Ganey, a survey research firm focusing on patient experience in healthcare, disseminates over 95 million mail, phone and electronic surveys each year. So, when AMSURG’s partnering ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) exceed the national benchmarks in their results—that’s something to share. Ensuring that patients are safe and satisfied with the care they receive is always a priority but even more so during these challenging times.

More than 95 percent of AMSURG’s partnering ASCs are participating in the Press Ganey’s Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Survey (OAS CAHPS). Over the last year, the centers have consistently exceeded the national benchmarks for “overall patient experience” and “likelihood to recommend.” Additionally, many of these centers chose to share the results on their websites and to be transparent with their patients’ feedback.

When comparing AMSURG partner ASCs with hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs), AMSURG ASCs have consistently ranked in the 80th percentile in 2020—outperforming the majority of HOPDs. In the second quarter of 2020 and in the midst of crisis, AMSURG centers were in the 87th percentile for overall patient experience ratings.

As AMSURG’s partners are some of the only centers to publicly display these comments and overall rankings, results and experiences have continued to deliver well-earned recognition. One patient at Eastern Connecticut Endoscopy Center, who scored 89 percent for overall patient experience and 88 percent for likelihood to recommend, wrote, “I felt very comfortable and safe with all of the staff and facilities during my recent visit to have a colonoscopy performed. Every effort was made to ensure my safety as a senior citizen, and the procedure was completed in a little more than an hour.”

Westbank Surgery Center, who scored 94 percent for overall patient experience and 93 percent for likelihood to recommend, has also been given amazing feedback, including one pleased patient who applauded the facility and appreciated their team for easing apprehensions. “Very good experience. Staff is very organized, and everything ran smoothly like clockwork as it should. Have had lots of hospital visits. This was an A+ one. I will be returning in 2 weeks for a second procedure and am very at ease about it,” the patient commented.

“AMSURG is a strong proponent of sharing our patient experience scores and we are impressed by the positive feedback from our patients,” said Nina Goins, Vice President of Quality and Clinical Services for AMSURG. “As the centers face new challenges, patient safety and quality remain the primary focus. The great efforts of their care and the constant demonstration of their compassion for patients have absolutely not gone unnoticed, and I think it’s important we commend this valuable work.”

AMSURG will continue to support partnering centers and drive best practices in order to continue providing our patients with high-quality experiences.

For more information about AMSURG’s commitment to our centers amid COVID-19, visit amsurg.com/covid-19.

AMSURG Centers Excel in Patient Experience

by

Eight Centers Receive the Coveted Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award

Surgery centers across the AMSURG network work diligently to deliver an ideal experience and safe, high-quality care to our patients every day. Eight of our centers have consistently exceeded patient experience goals and were awarded the 2020 Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award. These surgery centers maintained exemplary patient experience ratings for the past year, ranking within the top fifth percentile of Press Ganey’s eligible clientele. Only 18 of 2,700 surgery centers received the award and AMSURG is honored to represent nearly half of the award recipients.

Guardian of Excellence Award Winners

Gastroenterology

Ophthalmology

Orthopaedic

*This is the second consecutive year for Sun City Endoscopy Center to receive the prestigious award.

“Our surgery centers are an integral part of the healthcare systems in the communities they serve. We commend each of the surgery centers for their commitment to providing exceptional care and experiences for every patient,” said Chan Chuang, M.D., FCCP, FACP, AMSURG President and Envision Healthcare Chief Medical Officer. “These eight centers are shining examples of what it means to provide patient-centered care.”

The Guardian of Excellence Award recognizes healthcare organizations that score in the 95th percentile for patient experience, employee/physician engagement or clinical quality performance. Press Ganey, a leader in development and distribution of patient satisfaction surveys, partners with more than 26,000 organizations to administer the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Survey (OAS CAHPS). The survey measures the care experiences of patients who receive procedures at Medicare-certified surgery centers.

“AMSURG is very proud of the work these centers perform in service to patients every day. This year has been especially unique, presenting new challenges and working environments,” said Nina Goins, Vice President of Quality and Clinical Services, AMSURG, “The centers have not let these challenges impact the focus on keeping our patients our first priority. They are truly setting the standard.”

AMSURG is proud to recognize these centers and their employees for their ability to uphold and consistently deliver high-quality patient care.

Short Hills Surgery Center Shows Flexibility During COVID-19, Serves Community Need

by

As COVID-19 continues to disrupt America’s healthcare system, AMSURG’s ASC partners have displayed remarkable flexibility and ambition in augmenting the capabilities of their centers to help stabilize their communities and keep patients safe. At Short Hills Surgery Center (SHSC) in Millburn, New Jersey, strategic efforts made by administrative, physician and AMSURG leadership helped to quickly serve the community’s need while maintaining the viability of the ASC.

The response to learning of the infectious nature of COVID-19 was one of immediate action. SHSC leadership immediately canceled scheduled patients at high risk of infection, limited the center’s operating days, and took steps to prepare for overflow relief from hospitals around the community.

To minimize the possibility of cross-infection exposure to a COVID-19-positive person and risk the closure of the ASC, staff was divided into teams assigned to work on different days. Communication was sent to all members of the medical staff to advise them of the new protocols and to provide them with a status update on the center’s operations.

SHSC’s medical director reached out to medical leadership at SHSC’s health system partner, RWJ Barnabas Health, offering the center as a “relief valve” for patients within the health system requiring urgent surgery that could not be managed by their hospitals. After being welcomed by the health system, SHSC administration quickly sprang into action to identify which additional surgical cases could be handled from the hospital and to procure the resources needed to expand their scope of service.

SHSC has also implemented rigorous safety protocols to further protect the safety of staff and patients from COVID-19 exposure.

This incredible response by SHSC exemplifies the agility and thoughtfulness required across the healthcare industry to appropriately address the COVID-19 pandemic and respond to community need. While there are no one-size-fits-all solutions for an unprecedented crisis such as this, AMSURG is committed to helping our ASC partners develop and implement solutions that work to protect their patients and clinicians while ensuring the viability of their center and its essential role in the community.

To learn more about the work AMSURG is doing in collaboration with our ASC partners, visit our COVID-19 landing page.

BOSS Fills Community Need Through Center Reallocation

by

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve, AMSURG’s centers are responding with ingenuity and are meeting the needs in their communities to support long-term population health. At Boston Out-Patient Surgical Suites (BOSS) in Waltham, Massachusetts, that meant adapting their facility to assist local hospitals in the effort to protect patients and clinicians.

Through the leadership and guidance of Center Leader Greg Deconciliis, BOSS transitioned their center to support COVID-19 relief efforts in their local community. Coordinating with local hospitals, BOSS converted their physician offices to “urgent-care” settings, whereby physicians could see patients through both telehealth and in-person visits and would be able to streamline their surgical care in the operating rooms upstairs in a COVID-19-free setting.

The center also provided outreach to the director of surgery at a local acute care hospital through BOSS’s general surgeon, offering a streamlined process to move patients from the emergency department to BOSS to offload the hospital’s workflow and resources. These strategic moves helped establish a stronger local healthcare safety net by managing the resources necessary to respond to patient needs and keep clinicians safe.

Protecting Patients and Staff

We appreciate BOSS’s thoughtful response to the COVID-19 crisis, which has helped safeguard its viability while protecting patients, clinicians and communities.

AMSURG is committed to serving our centers and communities during this unprecedented time and in preparation for its aftermath. In collaboration with our ASC partners, our Flex Operational Plan is ready to help centers reallocate resources to ensure our local communities stay safe. To learn more about AMSURG’s COVID-19 response efforts, visit our COVID-19 page.

CRNA Pays It Forward During National Public Health Crisis

by

By Melissa Ramirez Cooper
Director, AANA Public Relations and Communications

When Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, Tanya Smith, DNP, CRNA, SMP, said it took a long time to recover. “My kids were young, and we had nothing,” said Smith, a member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA).

It was the kindness of others that aided in her recovery. “Everyone needs help at some point in their life,” said Smith. “And I knew that, one day, I would want to pay it forward.”

That opportunity came earlier this spring when Smith was extended an opportunity to work on the COVID-19 pandemic’s frontline of care in New York. Through her contract with AMSURG, a division of Envision Healthcare, Smith joined the national medical group’s travel team and was assigned to work in New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital in the upper West Side.

“My kids were on board with me going. I had the means and the opportunity to go. I was equipped with personal protective equipment and the appropriate resources, and I was ready.”

When Smith arrived at the hospital, she hit the ground running. “My first two weeks were very busy. I ran ventilator management and tended to the oxygen needs for patients in the COVID-19 unit. I did whatever needed to be done, working in the ER and ICU. Some days, I had 25-26 patients. That’s a lot of patients. I had never seen anything like it.”

In the beginning, little was known about the virus, and medical care was based on evolving knowledge. “We had to work to prevent the spread, protect patients and healthcare workers. We did everything to care for patients —I would go six to eight times a day from changing bipap to high-flow nasal cannula,” said Smith,” working to keep patients off ventilators and get them back to baseline to prevent damage and lung trauma.”

“Patients only have you to care for them and be at their side.  Some patients could not communicate. The enormity of the situation was overwhelming,” said Smith.

To help her through, Smith had a support system. “I had a lot of people to help keep me going.”

“It’s great that we have received so much support and that nurses are being recognized. But it’s hard for people to truly understand all the work that we do. We gave our all, and when a critical patient was able to leave the hospital, it was an accomplishment.”

As hospitals across the country continue to deal with the pandemic, CRNAs continue to care for critically ill patients. Their unique skills and expertise have allowed them to step forward in a way only a few others can, leading the way in advanced airway and ventilation management that has been essential in addressing the virus. During state emergencies federal and state governors temporarily removed barriers to CRNA practice, further reinforcing the need to utilize CRNAs at the full extent of their education and training.

During her time in New York, Smith admitted to being concerned for the public’s health and safety. “The virus does not discriminate and impacted people differently. But it was important to help. It’s important for everyone to help. You don’t necessarily have to go to the frontlines; it can be in so many other ways, but it’s important to help people.”

Smith completed her work in New York mid-May. While the experience will remain with her, one thing the pandemic has shown her is that, “There is good in everybody.”