The future of care: Ambulatory Surgery Centers deliver faster care, lower costs and better outcomes

“An ASC is a licensed outpatient surgical facility,” explains Marie Edler, chief growth officer at SCA Health, one of the nation’s largest ASC networks. “Most patients walk in and walk out the same day. It’s designed for healthy patients who need a surgical episode — not for those who are acutely ill.” 

A coordinated, seamless design makes a big difference. At an ASC, patients typically park right outside the building, check in and are guided through a streamlined process that prioritizes comfort and efficiency. “It’s a smaller environment where the staff is solely focused on outpatient surgical care,” Edler says. “From the front desk to post-op, everything is about getting the patient in and out safely and comfortably.” 

Dr. John Nelson, medical director and chief of staff of Kelsey-Seybold’s ambulatory surgery centers in Texas, agrees. “We’ve had patients see their primary care doctor in the morning, get an ultrasound to confirm a diagnosis, see a surgeon, have surgery and be home by 4 p.m. the same day. That kind of efficiency and coordination is shocking to patients. They are unbelievably appreciative.”

One of the biggest advantages of ASCs is the cost. “The same procedure costs 30% less in a hospital outpatient department and 40% less in a freestanding ASC when compared to a hospital," Dr. Nelson says. “If we can do the same procedure with a better experience and lower cost, why wouldn’t we?” 

Julie Jacobson, director of ASCs for Optum Care Washington, notes that ASCs charge a facility fee, unlike hospitals that bill item by item. “It’s much more cost-effective,” she says. “And outcomes tend to be better in an outpatient setting, where patients come in healthy and leave healthy.” 

ASCs are central to the shift toward value-based care — health care that rewards better outcomes at lower costs. 

“You can’t practice value-based care without considering site of service,” says Dr. Nelson. “The right patient, right operation, right time, right location — that’s what ASCs are all about.” 

Edler agrees. “ASCs are a tremendous part of delivering lower-cost, higher-quality care. They’re not just a trend. They’re a critical part of the health care ecosystem.”