Over the last few decades, patients have demonstrated an increasing preference for medical procedures being done on an outpatient basis and without a hospital stay as much as possible. Thanks to the ever-increasing technological capabilities of minimally invasive surgery, plus the fact that patients are now known to recuperate more effectively when they are at home (and patients no longer assume that they are receiving better medical care with extended hospital stays), ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have been established to address this rising demand.
An ASC, also known as an outpatient surgery center, carries out same-day preventive, diagnostic, and curative surgical procedures. These medical facilities are equipped with the most high-tech equipment in order for doctors to perform a variety of surgical procedures, such as arthroscopy, colonoscopy, or laparoscopy.
How Did Ambulatory Surgery Centers Start?
The very first ASC was opened in 1970 by two doctors who were looking for a better way to provide prompt, comfortable, convenient, and cost-effective surgical services in Phoenix. Their concept was driven by frustrations with limited operating room availability, scheduling delays, slow operating room turnover times, and limited hospital budgeting which caused obstacles in obtaining new equipment. Since then, the volume of procedures performed in ASCs has grown exponentially all across the country and internationally.
Benefits of Outpatient Surgery
Some of the main benefits of having an operation or an invasive test performed at an ambulatory surgery center include the following:
Lower Costs
ASCs charge as much as 60% lower than hospitals do for the same procedure. This benefits patients, insurers, and taxpayers alike. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) estimated that taxpayers would have been able to save as much as $15 billion, and Medicare patients as much as $3 billion, if applicable surgeries had been performed in an outpatient setting rather than in hospitals.
The costs are lower because ASCs do not have to maintain the same level of emergency surgery equipment and staff. Indeed, approximately 80% of the cost savings are due to less time spent in the operating room.
Same Quality as Hospitals
An important consideration for patients is the fact that the quality of healthcare provided by ASCs is equal to that offered by hospitals. Keep in mind that surgeons who operate in outpatient surgery centers hold the same credentials and are equally skilled.
Enhanced Comfort and Convenience
Because ASCs are smaller than hospitals, the medical staff have the ability to focus more on each patient. ASCs also provide a more relaxed, friendly environment in which to recover after the procedure, which can translate into a more successful recovery.
Improved Accessibility
Patients can conveniently access registration, waiting rooms, operating rooms, and recovery rooms all in the same general area at an outpatient surgery center. You also won’t have to deal with long wait times, which can otherwise happen in a hospital environment due to acute emergency situations taking priority.
State-of-the-Art Ambulatory Surgery Center in Naples, FL
At North Naples Surgery Center, our ambulatory surgery center comes with everything surgeons need to perform efficiently and deliver optimum patient outcomes. Our facility is inviting and easy for patients to access, located right off of I-75 and Immokalee Road.
If you’re looking for an ambulatory surgery center that has all the modern amenities and friendly, qualified staff, call us today at (239) 591-2803 or fill out our contact form online now. Whether you are a doctor or a patient, we look forward to being your surgery center of choice!
