ICASC Advantage Blog

Sleep apnea is a problem that can be hugely disruptive to your quality of life, leading to chronic fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or depression.

In order to accurately answer this question, one must first understand what an ear infection is.

Updated 10/07/2021
Masks are mandated for all visitors.

We are discontinuing temperature checking for patients. COVID-19 tests still may be required if you are experiencing symptoms. We will continue limiting people with our surgical patients to 1 adult with an adult patient. We understand there may be exceptions, this will be handled on a case-by-case basis. For pediatric patients (age 0-18 years), please limit to 2 adults. We will be asking there be no additional children brought to the surgical center during this time.

Updated 4/30/2020

As allowed per Governor Kim Reynold’s proclamation on April 24th, the Iowa City Ambulatory Surgical Center has resumed performing elective cases effective Thursday, April 30th. If you had an elective surgery or procedure postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact your surgeon’s office directly and they will be able to speak with you about getting your surgery rescheduled.

Updated 3/17/2020

If you are experiencing a fever, body aches, cough, or shortness of breath, please stay home. We do not need to evaluate you at the surgery center. Please call us, or your surgeon’s office to reschedule your procedure.

Thank you for helping provide cloth masks for Iowa City Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC)!

Iowa City Ambulatory Surgery Center was just awarded the prestigious CNOR (R) Strong Designation from the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI).

This honor is determined on an annual basis and is awarded to facilities in which 50% or more of their full-time nursing staff have achieved CNOR certification and the facility consistently recognizes and rewards nurses who achieved this designation. According to CCI, “Earning the CNOR designation is a mark of distinction and demonstrates a commitment to upholding the highest standards in patient safety.”

Additionally, “Research shows nurses who earn the CNOR credential have greater confidence in their clinical practice. Teams of CNOR-certified nurses who have mastered the standards of perioperative practice have been correlated to improved outcomes in surgical patients. We call that CNOR Strong.”

Iowa City ASC Medical Director, Thomas Simpson MD, FACS, said, "The CNOR certification program at the Iowa City ASC has been very productive for both the facility and the nursing staff. The nurses are actively engaged in continuing education that they can apply to their daily work. It has helped enhance a culture of progressive improvement and making high-quality care for our patients the core priority of the surgery center."

Care providers have a lot to keep track of these days. There isn’t enough time in the day to give each patient every ounce of thoughtful attention they deserve, and many days it probably feels like you’re running on empty.

Even as a care provider, you are a patient from time to time. When you’re receiving care, however, your experience is probably very different from the experiences of regular patients. Patients don’t have your experience in the world of healthcare, and that can often make their experience receiving care a bit more challenging.

Iowa City Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) was recently visited by Congressman Loebsack. His visit to Iowa City ASC comes during a time when healthcare is receiving significant attention in the United States. Iowans, like other citizens across the U.S. are concerned about the rising cost of healthcare and what they can do to receive more affordable care. Congressman Loebsack toured Iowa City ASC to learn more about the care offerings at surgical centers, and, more specifically, the outpatient surgical procedures offered at Iowa City ASC.

If you suffer from sleep apnea, you know how difficult it can be to get a good night of sleep. Those who struggle with sleep apnea often stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night, hundreds of times even, in some cases. While this makes it incredibly uncomfortable for sleeping, it also starves your body and brain of oxygen. When this happens, you don’t receive the necessary amount of oxygen, making sleep apnea a serious condition.

As a patient, the world of healthcare can be intimidating, and all of your options for care can be overwhelming and a little scary.