How the Right ASC EHR Software Shapes Future-Ready Facilities

Not long ago, most surgeries meant a hospital stay with crowded waiting rooms, long recovery times, and high costs. Fast forward to today, and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have rewritten that experience. Patients can now walk in for procedures in the morning and head home the same day, often paying far less than they would at a hospital.

But here’s the catch: that seamless patient journey doesn’t just happen on its own. Behind the scenes, ASCs juggle complex compliance requirements, surgical scheduling, documentation, and billing—all of which need to work in perfect sync. Without the right ASC EHR software, that efficiency falls apart.

So, in honor of ASC month 2025, take a closer look at how ASCs like yours are transforming modern healthcare, the challenges you face, and why a reliable ambulatory care EHR system is at the heart of lasting success.

Ready to Empower Your ASC with the Right EHR?

ASC Month 2025: Shining a Light on Surgery Centers

Every August, ASC month puts the spotlight on how ambulatory surgery centers are reshaping healthcare. It’s a time for centers to share their story, whether that means hosting tours for elected officials, engaging with their communities, or joining the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association’s (ASCA) National Advocacy Day in Washington, DC.

As ASCA’s Advancing Surgical Care podcast recently pointed out, these efforts give policymakers a clear view of what ASCs do best: delivering safe, efficient, and cost-effective surgical care.

At its core, ASC month 2025 is about recognition. It reminds patients, providers, and lawmakers alike that surgery centers are not just convenient alternatives—they’re essential to improving access, lowering costs, and raising the standard of outpatient care.

Challenges Faced by ASCs in Today’s Landscape

While ambulatory surgery centers offer clear advantages over hospitals, today’s healthcare environment also brings unique challenges that administrators must navigate. Understanding these hurdles is essential to sustaining growth, protecting margins, and maintaining the highest standards of patient care:

Rising Regulatory and Compliance Demands

ASCs must navigate strict accreditation standards, state regulations, and payer requirements, but few have the time, resources, or capacity to keep up. Staying on top of these rules requires time, resources, and investment in training, documentation, and compliance technology.

Reimbursement Pressures

Even though surgery centers are known for delivering high-quality care at lower costs, shifting Medicare and commercial payer policies can make revenue unpredictable. Smaller centers, in particular, feel the squeeze when reimbursement rates fall short.

Staffing Shortages and Retention

Like many healthcare organizations, ASCs face staffing shortages across nursing, anesthesia, and surgical support roles. Recruiting and retaining skilled staff while managing rising labor costs has become a significant challenge for administrators.

Technology and Infrastructure Investment

From ASC-specific EHR to advanced surgical equipment, technology is critical for efficiency and compliance. However, the upfront and ongoing costs can be difficult to manage, especially for independent centers competing with hospital systems.

Growing Competition

Outpatient surgery is booming, and more patients are choosing ASCs over traditional hospitals for convenience, lower costs, and faster recovery. This shift has led to a surge of new providers entering the ASC space, increasing competition for patients, surgeons, and payer contracts. To thrive in this evolving landscape, surgery centers must differentiate themselves with superior service, streamlined workflows, and exceptional patient experiences.

How 1st Providers Choice’s ASC EHR Software Empowers Surgery Centers

ALT Text: A patient experienced a seamless surgery day, from check-in to discharge, thanks to 1st Providers Choice’s ASC software.

Running an ambulatory surgery center means balancing patient care, compliance, scheduling, and financial performance—all while keeping the patient experience seamless. That’s where IMS, 1st Providers Choice’s ASC software makes a difference. More than just an electronic health record, it’s a fully integrated solution built specifically to meet the unique needs of surgery centers.

Let’s look at why ASC teams are choosing 1st Providers Choice medical software:

Streamlined Surgical Workflows

From pre-op assessments to discharge, the ASC EHR software is built to simplify every step of the surgical journey. Features like preference cards, anesthesia planning, and pre-op Aldrete scoring ensure that procedures are efficient, safe, and compliant. This reduces delays and keeps OR schedules running smoothly.

Smarter Scheduling and Patient Flow

With real-time scheduling tools and patient check-in/check-out tracking, ASCs can better coordinate operating rooms, providers, and staff. Automated surgery authorization tracking also takes the administrative burden off staff, making it easier to keep procedures on track.

Enhanced Patient Engagement

Patients today expect more control over their care. With self-service kiosks, a secure patient portal, and mobile access, patients can schedule procedures, complete paperwork, and even pay bills online. This not only improves patient satisfaction but also reduces front-desk bottlenecks.

Financial and Administrative Efficiency

Because IMS integrates EHR, billing, and practice management into a single system, ASCs gain a seamless revenue cycle workflow. From claims management to reporting, administrators can better track performance and reduce revenue leakage—helping centers remain financially strong.

Compliance and Safety First

1st Providers Choice’s EHR for ambulatory surgery centers is HIPAA- and Meaningful Use-certified, ensuring compliance with strict regulations. Built-in safety protocols, documentation tools, and low infection risk tracking give both patients and providers confidence in the quality of care.

Backed by Experience and Support

With decades of experience, 1st Providers Choice understands the unique needs of ambulatory surgery centers. Our team delivers hands-on training, US-based support, and a smooth implementation process, helping centers get up and running quickly with minimal disruption.

Take Your Surgery Center Further with the Right ASC EHR Software in 2025

ASC month 2025 is about more than recognition—it’s about equipping surgery centers for the future. Efficiency, affordability, and quality don’t happen by accident. They happen when skilled teams are supported by the right tools and technology.

With 1st Providers Choice’s ASC EHR software, administrators gain the visibility, control, and efficiency needed to run their centers with confidence. From streamlining workflows to ensuring compliance and enhancing the patient journey, the right EHR becomes a strategic long-term partner in growth.

This ASC month, give your center the tools it deserves. Schedule a demo today to see what’s possible with our ASC EHR software.

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