An ambulatory surgery center (ASC) is an outpatient health care facility providing surgical care and other procedures daily.
Unlike a conventional hospital requiring multiple overnight stays, these centers can provide a better experience when you need surgery.
Hospitals are no longer the only—or even the best—place to have outpatient elective surgery in the United States. Smaller, specialized ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) offer a smart alternative.
The first ambulatory surgery center opened 50 years ago in Phoenix, Arizona, when a pair of physicians wanted an outlet for more efficient and personalized care.
Today, the freestanding medical facilities have expanded their footprint across the medical industry. Now, more than 5,000 ASCs perform about 35% of all surgeries in the United States.
ASCs are designed to maximize the efficiency of health care delivery. For example, at the ASCs used by The Center for Innovative GYN Care:
These and other measures pay off in less waiting and a smoother experience. And, thanks to factors such as low overhead and no overnight stays, an ASC can pay off in significant savings on the overall cost of your bill, too.
ASCs are fully staffed for outpatient procedures. You’ll receive care from the same team of health care professionals you would find at a hospital, from front-desk staff and surgical assistants to surgeons, nurses, and anesthesiologists.
Because fewer patients have surgery simultaneously, you receive more personalized care during each process step.
ASCs are also fully equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment, surgery suites, and preoperative and post-operative areas.
Most ASCs are licensed and subject to rigorous, ongoing state and federal inspections. There are also oversight bodies, including the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, that create and maintain standards of care to which ASCs must adhere.
One of the biggest drivers of ambulatory surgery center growth is the need for new solutions and innovation to bring down the cost of healthcare in the United States.
Ambulatory surgery centers will continue to be out front in this regard, investing time and resources in technology for more efficient communication with patients and migrating more surgical procedures to the outpatient setting.
Stay connected to our knowledge base for more helpful resources.
Schedule a consultation to learn more about how we can treat your condition today.
