ASC Trend in Healthcare

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) offer the convenience of having surgeries performed outside the hospital setting and often allow patients to go home on the same day. ASCs are becoming more popular as they have shown to improve patient care and reduce costs.In addition to the potential for significant cost savings, other factors driving the trend to ambulatory surgery centers include improvements in surgical techniques, implant devices, and pain management.

Study found no increased risks

Dr. Ast and colleagues conducted a study at the Rothman Orthopedic Institute to compare patient outcomes and costs for in-patient hip and knee replacement surgeries to those performed in an ambulatory surgery center. The findings indicated that there was no increased risk of 90-day complication rates or readmission rates for patients who were discharged the same day compared to patients who had the same procedures and stayed in the hospital.2 One group of patients had their procedure done at an ASC while the second group had their surgery at a university medical center. The patient population between the two groups were matched by procedure, age, sex, body mass index and health assessments. In each group, 77 patients underwent total hip replacements and 49 had total knee replacements. The average length of stay in hospital was 8:09 hours for the ambulatory group, compared to 23:24 hours for the in-patient group. In summary, there were no meaningful differences between the two groups regarding complication and readmission rates.

There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the total cost of the procedure. Average costs per patient for ASCs was $11,677 versus $19,361 for the in-patient group. Costs associated with the procedure included staffing, medications, implant, and postoperative care. Researchers did note however, that ambulatory surgeries are best for patients without any preexisting health conditions, don’t require special medications after surgery, and have caregivers who can support their recovery at home.

AliMed Has Your ASC Covered

AliMed offers a wide range of medical devices and clinical furnishings to outfit your ASC O.R. Click here to learn more.

References

1.https://www.ascassociation.org/advancingsurgicalcare/aboutascs/industryoverview/apositivetrendinhealthcare

2. https://scienmag.com/no-increased-risk-of-complications-for-joint-replacement-in-ambulatory-surgery-setting/

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

engineering community
The Future of the Engineering Community: Equity, AI, and Real Connection
July 15, 2025

The Engineer Who Builds Communities, Not Just Systems! Angelie Vincent has spent more than two decades in aerospace engineering, but her real legacy might be the communities she’s built along the way. Now an AI Integration Engineer at Boeing, Angelie joins Professional Quotient host Jason Winningham for a wide-ranging conversation on neurodivergent leadership, workplace…

Read More
hvacr
Women in HVACR Are Driving Change Across the Skilled Trades
July 15, 2025

Trade school enrollment climbed 4.9% between fall 2020 and fall 2023, signaling a national shift toward skills-based careers as alternatives to four-year degrees. This modest but meaningful rebound underscores growing interest in trades like HVACR, where demand is high, but representation remains lopsided. For decades, women in the field have been overlooked despite playing…

Read More
personal assistant
The People Business: How To Make AI Your Personal Assistant and More
July 14, 2025

In today’s fast-paced world, AI has moved from being a corporate buzzword to a hands-on tool for everyday life. With tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude now widely accessible, the conversation is shifting from what AI is to how it can actually help individuals. From boosting productivity to transforming education, AI is poised to become…

Read More
cardiac care
Just Thinking… About the Role of Critical Thinking in Cardiac Care With Dr. Minh Tran
July 14, 2025

As cardiovascular disease continues to rank as the leading cause of death globally, the importance of expert cardiac care has never been more evident. The American Heart Association reports that over 800,000 Americans experience a heart attack each year, and many rely on the fast, critical thinking of cardiac specialists to survive. In an…

Read More