Northern Michigan CBS affiliates WWTV/WWUP-TV reports that Munson Healthcare plans to open a new ASC in Cadillac this summer. “The new center is part of Munson Healthcare’s commitment to lowering the cost of care and improving access in rural communities,” the TV stations report. “Currently, patients often drive 45 minutes to an hour away to receive surgical treatment in Traverse City or Grand Rapids.”
They report that the ASC “aims to serve a broad catchment area of 80,000 to 90,000 people.” It will house one OR, three procedure rooms, and 22 pre-op and recovery beds.
Cristen Brandsma, chief operating officer of Munson Healthcare’s South region, told the TV stations that the center could see between 20 and 30 patients per day, “depending on the complexity of the cases, such as total joint replacements versus cataract procedures.”
Added Ms. Brandsma, “We are very excited because this is a new avenue for patients to get care that they need. Rural health care can be very challenging.”
