Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of an ambulatory surgery center?
Some of the benefits of an ambulatory surgery center include:
- Lower Infection Rates (reduced risk of hospital-acquired infections)
- Shorter procedure times than in a hospital
- Reduced stress (less time off work or away from family)
- Shorter Stay
- Recovery at Home
- Lower Costs
- Personalized Care
- Better Outcomes
In addition to lowering out-of-pocket costs, the biggest benefit a patient will experience is a shorter length of stay. Patients are typically released from an ambulatory surgery center to their home in the first 4 to 6 hours after surgery rather than the traditional hospital stay of 2 to 3 days. In addition, shorter-acting anesthesia is used when the patient is in surgery which allows for an easier recovery.
What is the difference between an ambulatory surgery center and a hospital?
The main difference between inpatient care at a hospital versus outpatient care at an ambulatory surgery center is that for inpatient care you stay the night in the hospital. Hospitals are also open 24/7 whereas an ambulatory surgery center is only open during business hours (e.g., 6:00 am to 4:30 pm).
Are ambulatory surgery centers as safe as hospitals?
For many procedures, outpatient surgery can be a safe and less stressful experience than inpatient surgery. Overall, ambulatory surgery centers are very safe with a low frequency of complications.
Who is eligible for outpatient surgery?
Your surgeon will tell you whether or not you are a good candidate for outpatient surgery, but it may be considered very safe for you if you are:
- In overall good health
- Not obese
- Age 65 or younger
- Having a minimally invasive or low-risk procedure
Who should not have surgery as an outpatient?
You would not be a candidate for outpatient surgery if you are over age 65 and are considered overweight or obese or you have
- Obstructive lung disease
- Hypertension
History of heart attack or stroke - Previous cardiac intervention
- History of prolonged operating room time during past surgeries
Does Medicare cover outpatient surgery?
Part B of Medicare covers outpatient surgery if medically necessary. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if he or she thinks Medicare will judge the surgery to be necessary.
Rules about what Medicare covers can be confusing. For more information call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit the website at http://www.medicare.gov. You can also call your local Social Security office to ask questions about Medicare
How are the Trusted Partners affiliated with Precision SurgiCenter?
Our Trusted Partners have privileges at Precision SurgiCenter to perform minimally invasive procedures for patients on an outpatient basis. If during your visit to one of their practices, your treatment requires surgical intervention, Precision SurgiCenter is one of your options to receive care.
Which surgeries can be performed at Precision SurgiCenter?
The surgical procedures performed at an ambulatory surgery center are lower-risk orthopedic procedures like carpal tunnel release or general surgery procedures like a hernia repair.
The specific training our surgeons maintain in minimally invasive technologies has made it possible to move surgical treatment out of hospitals and into more convenient and cost-effective outpatient facilities.
How is outpatient surgery possible?
Over the past several years, we have seen many changes occur that brought us to the point that outpatient surgery is possible:
- Advancements in surgical techniques–Incisions are smaller, reducing the likelihood of infection and pain.
- Improvements in anesthesia allow for rapid recovery and a shorter length of stay.
- Improvements in post-procedure pain management techniques with new longer-lasting local anesthetics and a pharmaceutical approach to limit the use of opioids.
- Improvements in education for patients and families, preparation, and follow-up.
Is outpatient surgery right for you?
Outpatient surgery is recommended for select patients who are healthy enough to have surgery in such a setting and have the appropriate home setting/support to allow them to be discharged in this manner.
