Innovation

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Many surgical and diagnostic procedures have migrated from the inpatient setting to the less-costly outpatient setting resulting in the significant growth of the ASC industry over the past four decades. This migration has been spurred largely by clinical advances, including improvements in anesthesia and pharmaceuticals; innovation in surgery, such as the technology for minimally invasive procedures; and an overwhelming preference among physicians and patients for the convenience, quality and safety associated with ASCs. 

Patients who choose to have surgery in an ASC arrive on the day of their procedure, have their surgery in a fully-equipped operating room and recover under the care of highly-skilled medical professionals. The benefits of surgery in an ASC include:

• Shorter stays for patients

• Low rates of infection

• An emphasis on patient-centered care 

• Innovative medical technology 

• Full access to patient safety innovations and life-saving equipment

• Highly-trained and specialized medical staff

• Predictable schedules

The conveniences for patients are analogous to the characteristics that make ASCs popular with the physicians and nurses who work in the facilities. By involving physicians in their ownership and management, ASCs ensure that those who are delivering high-quality patient care are also choosing the equipment and designing the policies they need to provide that care. This cost-effective model also creates significant savings for patients and the nation’s health care system.

Emerging as a progressive, cost-effective and innovative health care model, private ownership allows ASCs to develop and practice:

• Efficient use of the ASC facility

• Responsive environments tailored to the patients’ needs

• Better control over scheduling, so procedures are not often delayed or rescheduled due to staffing issues or demands

• Innovative strategies for governance, leadership and quality initiatives

ASCs are often small businesses owned by members of their community. More than 90 percent of ASCs are privately owned by physicians, often in partnership with management companies or community hospitals. More than 1,000 ASCs are owned in partnership with community hospitals, allowing for increased access to health care in communities throughout the country.