Did You Know? More than 50 million ambulatory procedures are performed a year
Ambulatory Surgery is Becoming More Common than Traditional Inpatient Surgery
Ambulatory Surgery Centers Do Not Provide Diagnostic Services
Ambulatory surgery is often referred as “outpatient” surgery or day surgery. Procedures under this category do not require hospitalization defined by overnight hospital stay. Many procedures are conducted in an ambulatory environment. With so many advances in technology and equipment, many procedures can be performed quickly, safely and are minimally invasive.
The following is a guide was designed to educate patients on common procedures, benefits and concerns of ambulatory surgery.
01 | What Is Ambulatory Surgery?
Ambulatory surgeries are procedures that can be accomplished in one visit and allow you to receive treatment and go home the same day. An ambulatory patient is a classification used for insurance and billing purposes when referring to ambulatory care. Ambulatory surgery centers are becoming more common and many facilities are creating ambulatory surgery centers as an easy way for medical partners to conduct surgeries.
02 | Common Procedures
Many surgeries can be performed under this category and allows for quicker and more efficient access to procedures. There is a broad range of procedures performed, across many different specialties of medicine. Reconstructive surgery, in either a cosmetic or reparative nature qualifies as ambulatory surgery. Biopsies of possible skin cancers, growths, cysts or other abnormalities, endoscopies, muscle and ligament repairs in many parts of the body are easily performed as well. Therapeutic injections and minor implants are very common along with a vast array of different procedures, depending on the facility.
03 | Benefits
Many people enjoy the idea of recovery in their home and the ability to be in a comfortable and private environment. Ambulatory centers have all the resources of a hospital or emergency surgery center with an often quieter and calmer atmosphere. All procedures are scheduled and timely orchestrated allowing for short wait times, well organized procedures and a swift departure.
04 | Concerns
Reactions or procedure complications can be in substantial danger; however being in a well-equipped facility will allow for immediate response to any complication that may arise. Discharge policy allows for proper time to evaluate and monitor a patient after a procedure. If a patient is not recovering adequately the medical providers have the ability to transfer a patient to “inpatient” status to allow for proper care.
For more information ambulatory surgery please visit:
http://www.advancingsurgicalcare.com/
References
http://www.advancingsurgicalcare.com/whatisanasc
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/outpatient_surgery/
