When it comes time for planning an outpatient surgery, there are more options than ever before.
Traditionally, all surgeries were performed in the hospital, but in the past 50 years, patients are feeling more empowered to choose ambulatory surgery centers, or ASCs for short, for their next outpatient surgery or procedure.
According to a new U.S. News & World Report online survey, patient experience at the surgery center facility was one of the top key factors in selecting an ASC, along with quality of the procedure and doctor’s education, training and experience performing the procedure.
[Read: What Is an Ambulatory Surgery Center, ASC?]
What Are Ambulatory Surgery Centers?
Ambulatory surgery centers are freestanding outpatient facilities that provide same-day surgical, diagnostic and preventive procedures. In the U.S., there are approximately 6,223 Medicare-certified surgery centers — up from 5,000 centers in 2010.
“Some of the most common procedures ASCs perform are colonoscopies and cataract surgeries,” says Bill Prentice, CEO of Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA). “As advances have been made in less invasive surgical techniques and pain control, the list of procedures ASCs can perform safely and comfortably for their patients has grown to include everything from simpler surgeries like the insertion of ear tubes, biopsies and tonsillectomies to more complex procedures, like total joint replacements, spine surgeries and several cardiology procedures.”
Common surgical, diagnostic and screening procedures performed at an ambulatory surgery center include:
— Rotator cuff repairs
— Diagnostic endoscopies
— Colonoscopies and colon cancer screenings
— Fracture or dislocation treatments
— Retinal procedures
— Corrective eye surgery, including LASIK
— Prostate biopsy
[READ: Types of Doctors and Medical Specialists: Which One Should You See?]
Patient Satisfaction Is Key
One of the primary ways ambulatory surgery centers strive to set themselves apart from their traditional hospital counterparts is with its high patient satisfaction rates. They often provide easier scheduling, shorter wait times, faster procedures and more personalized care to make the patient experience more pleasant than navigating a large, busy health system.
“Patient satisfaction is extremely important to ASCs and is a hallmark of the industry,” says Rebecca Craig, CEO of Harmony Surgery Center in Fort Collins, Colorado, which provides care to more than 22,000 patients a year. “Many ASCs spend a lot of time surveying patients to collect feedback on how to continuously enhance care and improve the overall experience.”
In fact, maintaining high patient satisfaction plays such a critical role in how individuals choose an ASC that many of these facilities survey their patients using the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Survey (OAS CAHPS). The most recent survey compared ASCs and hospital outpatient departments based on four categories that patients valued: facilities and staff, communication about your procedure, patients’ rating of the facility and patients recommending the facility. In 2025, it will be mandatory for ASCs participating with Medicare to utilize this survey and submit data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
According to the OAS CAHPS survey results, patients’ rating of the facility for ASCs was 95.1%, while hospitals was 93.9%.
[READ 8 Tips for Choosing an Orthopedic Surgeon]
Six Ways to Pick the Best ASC for Your Next Procedure
Choosing the right ASC is important for ensuring quality care, safety and affordability. A good place to begin narrowing your search is U.S. News & World Report’s Best Ambulatory Surgery Center Ratings. Nearly 5,000 ASCs from across the country in four specialty areas, colonoscopy & endoscopy, ophthalmology, orthopedics & spine and urology were rated to find the best centers in each specialty area.
Once you have narrowed the field to a few options, here are six tips to help you choose the best one for your upcoming procedure:
1. Verify the ASC’s accreditation and licensing
As the number of ambulatory surgery centers nationwide continues to grow, it’s important for patients to remember that not all facilities are created equal. Reviewing a surgery center’s accreditation is essential to confirm that the ASC meets industry standards for safety, quality and patient care.
“Achieving accreditation shows a health care facility’s commitment to high-quality care,” Craig explains.
The credentialing requirements and process for a doctor to obtain privileges at an ASC are identical to a hospital. Federal and state laws along with accrediting bodies mandate the credentialing information that must be collected by ASCs and hospitals for a physician or allied health provider to obtain privileges.
Verify the ASC has the proper accreditation by visiting the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association’s website. Ensure the ASC is licensed by your state health department and meets Medicare/Medicaid standards if applicable.
2. Check doctor’s credentials
Ensure the surgeon and anesthesiologist are board certified in their specialty. Board certification means the surgeon and doctors have completed rigorous training, passed exams and maintain continuing education.
3. Consider ASC’s facilities
Visit before your procedure to assess the facility itself. Here are a few key questions to consider:
— Is it clean and well maintained?
— Are they using up-to-date surgical equipment and technology?
— Are staff wearing gloves, masks and following standard infection control procedures?
— Does the facility have oxygen support, defibrillators, and other emergency response tools in case of complications?
— Are there dedicated recovery areas with staff to monitor for any problems?
4. Read reviews and ask for referrals
Firsthand accounts of other patients’ experiences and positive word of mouth from friends and family members provide reassurance and confidence in the ASC’s quality of care, cost, convenience, customer service and overall experience with the doctors and staff. Reviews can reveal how well an ASC handles patient safety, surgical outcomes and post-op care, helping people make informed decisions about where they go for their important health care needs.
A referral from your primary care doctor, specialist or trusted friends and family can help you find one with a strong reputation. Doctors often refer patients to ASCs they trust and have experience working with.
5. Review safety and infection rates
When choosing an ASC, it’s important for them to provide information on their safety standards, infection rates and emergency preparedness. Infection rates are a key indicator of how well the facility maintains sterile conditions and follows safety protocols. Complication rates reveal the likelihood of surgical errors or post-procedure complications leading to poor outcomes. Ensure the ASC has a transfer agreement with a nearby hospital in case of complications.
6. Understand costs
According to U.S. News’s survey, health insurance coverage and your expected out-of-pocket costs are also key components to consider before your surgery or procedure.
Health insurance plans may offer better coverage or lower out-of-pocket costs for procedures done at ASCs, making it a cost-effective and convenient option for patients.
“We are seeing more patients with high deductibles, so ASCs can offer a high-quality, cost-effective alternative to hospital outpatient departments,” Craig says.
Before committing to having a procedure done at a specific ASC, request a detailed quote for the procedure that includes a complete cost breakdown. This helps you understand exactly what you are being charged for and avoid unexpected expenses. Compare these costs for the same procedure with local hospitals. Prices vary between facilities, so also check if another ASC in your area offers the same procedure at a lower cost.
Bottom Line
Ambulatory surgery centers are becoming increasingly common for outpatient procedures, largely because they offer greater convenience and high-quality procedures to traditional hospital outpatient departments. This is often reflected in patient satisfaction scores that slightly favor the patient experience at ASCs versus hospitals.
When choosing an ASC, do some detective work by verifying the board certification of the doctors, the accreditation of the facility and review referrals and recommendations for both the doctor and the facility. Visit the facility in person to assess cleanliness, organization and equipment quality. Ask about safety protocols, infection rates and emergency preparedness.
Additionally, request a detailed cost breakdown and compare pricing with other ASCs and hospitals to make sure you’re getting the best value for your procedure. Ask for details on costs and compare with other ASCs and hospitals to be sure you are getting a good price. This will help ensure you are getting a high standard of care at a reasonable cost.
More from U.S. News
15 Questions to Ask Your Orthopedic Surgeon During Your First Appointment
Reasons You Should Call Off a Surgery
Torn Rotator Cuff: Signs, Symptoms and How to Heal
How Are Patients Choosing Ambulatory Surgery Centers? originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 03/11/25: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
