Ambulatory Surgical Centers Gain Popularity; Experts Express Concern About Breadth of Services After Surgery
USA Today on Monday examined the growing popularity and the risks of medical procedures performed at ambulatory surgical centers. ASCs -- which, among other services, can offer extensive cosmetic, gynecological, urological and dental surgeries, as well as common cardiac and orthopedic surgeries -- have gained in popularity because they offer lower costs, more personalized care and more comfortable medical environments, according to surgeons and patients.Some experts -- such as Lee Fleisher, chair of anesthesiology and critical care for the University of Pennsylvania Health System, who has conducted research on outpatient surgical centers -- have raised concerns about the lack of adequate postoperative and emergency services as more elderly patients and patients with multiple chronic conditions undergo procedures at the facilities. Among the 50 million outpatient surgeries performed annually, 31% occur at ASCs with no attached hospital or emergency department, Fleisher said.
According to the Joint Commission, the number of ASCs increased by 25% from 2001 to 2006, and 4,618 -- more than half of all ASCs -- had registered with Medicare by last September (Brophy Marcus, USA Today, 7/30). This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.