MESSAGE FROM THE CEO Taking Stock T


his combined November–December issue of ASC Focus is the last of 2012—and the last of our first year in our new format. In the months since we published our first issue of the rede- signed magazine in May, we have worked to publish news and


information that will help ASCs improve their clinical and business operations in ways that make them better able to provide their patients with affordable, top-quality care. We have also worked hard to make this magazine a forum for members of the ASC community to share their insights and expertise with others in this field. This month is no exception. In this issue of ASC Focus, we feature Kevin McDonald, senior vice president at SourceMedical, writing about how to plan for ICD-10; Joe Macies, chief executive officer of Amkai Solutions, examining how electronic medical records can serve patients, phy- sicians and staff; David Greenberg, a health care attorney in the Washington, DC, office of Arent Fox LLP, discussing ways to protect the out-of-network option; and Beverly Kirchner, RN, CASC, president of Genesee Associates, providing a preview of her in-depth ASCA 2013 presentation about how to prepare for an Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection. Of course, several of those who contribute to this magazine regularly are also featured in this issue. Jonathan Beal, for example, in this month’s “Medicare Monitor” column talks about how the US Supreme Court decision on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act might spur more debate about health care reform rather than settle the issue in any significant way. I hope you enjoy this final 2012 issue of your magazine. Next year, we’ll be


bringing you another terrific story lineup, including several theme issues that will address careers in ASCs, innovations and more. As always, if you’d like to contribute to this magazine, please call our managing editor, Martin King, at 703.636.0619, or see the magazine’s editorial guidelines on our web site at www. ascassociation.org/Focus.


Seeking Authors


ASC Focus is seeking the contribution of articles by guest authors. If you have the expertise and time to write for us, we’d be interested in hearing from you. Please see our editorial guidelines at www.ascassociation.org/ Focus and submit your story proposal to the managing editor at mking@ ascassociation.org.


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Bill Prentice Chief Executive Officer


ASC FOCUS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2012


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