At AAOS and ASCA, we’re seeing the future of ASCs taking shape

The Annual Meetings of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) are two important events on our calendar. One of the reasons why we’re especially excited about this year’s annual meetings is that we get to experience first-hand just how extensively the surgical community is embracing robotic solutions in every type of OR, including in the ASC setting. It also feels just a bit like time travel—because the future really feels like it is ready for us.

At the AAOS annual meeting in Chicago, there was so much excitement about the future of robotic surgery that many of the fascinating events on this topic were standing room only. A great example was when Dr. Charlie DeCook visited our booth to talk about VELYS. We saw a similar turnout and enthusiasm at our VELYS in the ASC expert panel and the Women of Orthopedics event at our booth.

Our discussions around VELYS Robotic-Assisted Surgery in ASCs were a hit at AAOS. Many of these events spurred lively conversations that made it clear that surgeons expect more and more procedures to continue moving to the ASC setting—with VELYS Digital Surgery helping make that possible.

Standing-room-only situations are just natural when it comes to ASCs—this industry moves so fast, there is no time to sit back and watch. That’s why I’m so excited that ASCA is coming to my own dynamic hometown of Dallas. This progressive city is the perfect setting to talk about innovation in ASCs, where surgeons and entrepreneurs can exercise vision and independence to shape the future.

Robotics are becoming increasingly important in ASCs, but they are just part of the story. At ASCA, while we will showcase the VELYS Digital Surgery technology that is already generating so much excitement in traditional OR settings, we’ll also be able to show ASC owners and operators that we can provide customized support for them.

The bold people starting and sustaining ASCs are creating the exceptional surgical experiences that patients want. But to do that, they often take on more responsibilities and risks, albeit with less institutional support. We are mindful of that, so we want to show them all the ways they can count on DePuy Synthes to be sensitive to the pressures they face. To provide economic value in healthcare delivery, we look at every facet of an ASC’s operation to see where our products, services, and custom solutions can support the ASC in providing excellent care for patients.

We take this approach because it is how we build trust and long-term relationships with surgeon-entrepreneurs. With customized solutions, we can tailor the surgical needs of ASCs to help lower the costs of surgery. My recent conversation with Charlie Leonard on the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) podcast, “Advancing Surgical Care,” was a great chance to talk about the business of ASCs, and you can listen to it here. I hope our meeting in Dallas will spark many more conversations.

So yes, I’m excited that ASCA is coming “home” to Dallas. At the same time, I’m thrilled about the promising future of ASCs, and I’m proud to be in a company that is supporting that future.