[note 1] The term “outpatient” arises from the fact that surgery patients may enter and leave the facility on the same day.
[1]: 22 In the United States, 65% of surgeries at hospitals in 2012 were conducted on an outpatient basis, compared with 54% in 1992.
Avoiding hospitalization can result in cost savings to the party responsible for paying for the patient's health care.
[6] The first center in the USA was established in Phoenix, Arizona in 1970 by two physicians who wanted to provide timely, convenient and comfortable surgical services to patients in their community, avoiding more impersonal venues like regular hospitals.
[7] Five surgeons performed cases at the center on the first day it opened, and four of those procedures required general anesthesia.
Some large healthcare companies own many types of medical facilities, including ambulatory surgery centers.
California is the leading US state in the number of Medicare Certified ASCs, followed by Florida, and then Texas.
[9] Although complications are very rare, ASCs are required by Medicare and the accreditation organizations to have a backup plan for transfer of patients to a hospital if the need arises.
[10] Accreditation organizations for ASCs provide standards of medical care, record keeping, and auditing.
In an audit, a team of auditors visits the facility and examines the ASC's medical records, written policies, and compliance with industry standards.