What is an Ambulatory Surgery Center?
An Ambulatory Surgery Center, or ASC, is a health facility that gives patients the option of having surgeries or procedures done outside a hospital setting. Hospitals play an important role in our communities, providing care for anything from a minor injury to surgery or intensive care. An Ambulatory Surgery Center is a very convenient alternative to the traditional hospital for otherwise healthy people.
Ambulatory Surgery Center vs. Hospital
ASC’s provide the same quality care as hospitals yet have lower infection rates, quicker recovery times, and a much lower cost. While most hospitals offer outpatient surgery, doctors and patients both favor Ambulatory Surgery Centers for certain procedures due to the benefits listed above. Some surgeries you can have done at an Ambulatory Surgery Center are:
- Cataract surgery
- Colonoscopy and biopsy
- Joint drain or injection
- Routine venipuncture
- Hysterectomy
- Total joint replacement
- Spine surgery
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Procedures
When doing outpatient treatments, following the surgery the patient moves to the post-anesthesia care unit and is released once they have recovered. A nurse will generally call the next day to check up and answer any questions there may be. Inpatient surgery on the other hand implies that the patient will be staying in a hospital for one or more nights after the procedure. The shorter stay at an Ambulatory Surgery Center makes it a very appealing option. Even complex procedures that were traditionally only performed in a hospital are now being handled at ASC’s.
Benefits of using an Ambulatory Surgery Center
Doctors first starting using ASC’s in order to provide better care for their patients. An Ambulatory Surgery Center offers a clean environment with the best equipment as well as a team of specialists to effectively carry out procedures in their area of expertise. Scheduling is also much more efficient and convenient at an ASC.
The physicians of Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group are pleased to offer you a convenient alternative for outpatient surgery. You can be confident that you
will receive the highest quality of outpatient care and friendly, attentive service. The Orthopaedic and Spine Center of Southern Colorado is our state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center, conveniently located on-site at our North Campus office. This surgery center houses six operating rooms, two procedure rooms for pain management, and a recovery center, with nine convalescent suites for patients whose surgery requires an overnight stay and round-the-clock nursing care for recovery.
Our operating rooms and recovery suites offer the most sophisticated surgical equipment and technology available for outpatient procedures. Our physicians are also supported by a professional, highly trained, and qualified staff of anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, registered nurses, surgical technologists, and ancillary personnel.
To make your visit as stress-free as possible for both you and those who accompany you, we offer convenient drop-off and pick-up areas, a comfortable waiting room, and efficient turn-around times. Call today to learn more about our services.
