Why Dedicated ASC Anesthesia Teams Matter More Than Ever: A Perspective from Cindy Myers
Why Dedicated ASC Anesthesia Teams Matter More Than Ever
Ambulatory surgery centers are operating in a more complex environment than ever before.
Demand continues to grow, case acuity is increasing, and anesthesia staffing remains constrained. At the same time, expectations around efficiency, cost control, and OR performance continue to rise.
According to Cindy Myers, Vice President of Ambulatory Surgery Operations at NorthStar Anesthesia, many of these challenges stem from how anesthesia models are structured—not just how they are staffed.
“We’re seeing more ASCs realize that stability isn’t just about filling shifts,” Myers explains. “It’s about building a team that’s truly aligned with how the center operates.”
The Challenge: Coverage vs. Consistency
Many anesthesia models still rely on rotating or shared provider coverage—often pulling clinicians from hospital environments into ASCs.
While this approach can help address short-term staffing gaps, it often creates long-term challenges:
- inconsistent provider presence
- variability in clinical approach
- misalignment with surgeon workflows
- limited accountability to the ASC
“ASC environments are fundamentally different,” says Myers. “Efficiency, turnover times, and communication all matter at a different level. You can’t treat it like a hospital extension.”
The Shift Toward Dedicated ASC Teams
As a result, many high-performing surgical centers are moving toward dedicated, center-based anesthesia teams.
This model prioritizes consistency, alignment, and long-term performance.
According to Myers, the difference is noticeable:
“When you have a dedicated team, they understand the surgeons, the schedule, and the rhythm of the OR. That familiarity translates directly into better performance.”
Dedicated ASC teams help drive:
- Consistency in coverage
- Improved OR efficiency and case flow
- Stronger collaboration with surgeons and staff
- More predictable patient experience
Why National Infrastructure Still Matters
While local alignment is critical, building and sustaining dedicated teams requires scale.
Recruiting, retaining, and supporting anesthesia clinicians in today’s market is increasingly complex—especially in competitive regions.
“Local alignment only works if you can support it consistently,” Myers notes. “That’s where national infrastructure becomes essential.”
With the right infrastructure in place, ASCs benefit from:
- broader recruiting pipelines
- deeper clinician networks
- flexibility to manage staffing fluctuations
- operational support and performance visibility
Bridging Scale with Local Leadership
The most effective models combine:
- national infrastructure
with - locally embedded clinical leadership and dedicated teams
This balance allows ASCs to achieve both stability and alignment.
“It’s not one or the other,” Myers explains. “You need the scale to support the model, and the local leadership to make it work day to day.”
At NorthStar, this approach is intentional—building ASC-specific teams supported by national resources, rather than relying on rotating coverage models.
Why This Matters for ASC Leaders
Several trends are accelerating the need for more structured anesthesia models:
- increasing case complexity in outpatient settings
- continued workforce shortages
- rising labor costs
- greater focus on OR utilization and financial performance
For ASC administrators, these pressures are shifting the conversation.
“The question isn’t just ‘Do we have coverage?’” says Myers.
“It’s ‘Do we have the right model in place to support where we’re going?’”
A More Sustainable Path Forward
Dedicated ASC teams—supported by national infrastructure—provide a more sustainable approach to anesthesia.
This model helps surgical centers:
- reduce variability in staffing
- improve OR performance and throughput
- gain better visibility into costs and utilization
- support long-term growth with confidence
As the ASC landscape continues to evolve, anesthesia strategy is becoming a key driver of operational success.
For many centers, the shift toward dedicated teams is not just a staffing decision—it’s a strategic one.
