ASC FAQs

An ambulatory surgery center (ASC), also known as an outpatient surgery center, is a healthcare facility where surgeons perform surgeries that do not require an overnight stay. An ambulatory surgery center provides a cost-effective and convenient environment that is an alternative to a hospital-based environment that many patients and surgeons prefer.

Patients who elect to have surgery in a surgery center arrive on the day of the procedure, have the surgery in an operating room, and recover under the care of the nursing staff, all without a hospital admission or overnight stay. 

Outpatient surgery centers have been a part of the U.S healthcare system since 1970. There are approximately 5000 surgery centers in the U.S. where approximately 20 million surgeries are performed annually. 

Just like hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers are monitored by State health departments, the federal government and non-governmental agencies like the Joint Commission (previously known as JCAHO) and the AAAHC (Accreditation Agency for Ambulatory Health Care). In fact, ambulatory surgery centers are one of the most highly-regulated healthcare facilities and are required to meet strict standards.

Since 1982, Medicare has certified ASC’s and up to 85% of ASC’s are certified by Medicare. In Illinois, each and every ASC is required to be licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health. 

 Yes, this ASC meets the strict standards of Medicare. 

Yes, this Center is accredited by the Joint Commission, a prestigious honor not available to every ASC that is difficult to achieve and demands a high level of care. 

Most of the surgical sub-specialties perform procedures in an ASC, as long as the patient can go home the same day. The types of procedures performed in ASC’s include orthopedics, ophthalmology, general surgery, gynecology, ear/nose and throat, pain management, urology, plastic surgery, GI or gastroenterology, and podiatry. 

Studies have shown that patients cared for in an out patient surgery center have very high (up to 98%) patient satisfaction. In addition, the care is generally more cost effective and according to one study, 47% less expensive than comparable care in a hospital.

Your surgeon may also have chosen to care for you in this center because of the ease of scheduling and decreased waiting time due to the efficiency achievable in ASC’s in general and this center in particular.