Today, we will discuss Outpatient Surgery Centers vs Ambulatory Surgery Centers. Both are healthcare facilities in which doctors perform minor surgeries that do not require hospital admission. Both Outpatient Surgery Centers and Ambulatory Surgery Centers aim towards the same goal, which is to provide cost-effective and more convenient care to the patients, compared to the hospital setting.
Ambulatory Surgical Center vs Outpatient Center
Outpatient Surgical Centers
Outpatient surgery, also known as same-day surgery, allows the patient to go home on the same day without a stay in the hospital. These are minor surgeries that are quick and do not require a hospital stay. Outpatient surgeries are either done at an outpatient surgery center or an ambulatory surgical center.
It is important to understand that both outpatient surgical centers and ambulatory surgical centers are different and have their benefits.
Procedures performed at the Outpatient Surgical Center.
Minor procedures are done at outpatient surgical centers that do not require hospital stays for the patients. These surgeries are performed at outpatient clinics that are either located near the hospital or standing-free. The demand for these outpatient surgeries is increasing because OSCs are more cost-effective and convenient. Surgeries that are performed at outpatient surgical centers are.
- Endoscopy: Endoscopy is a procedure that examines the inside of the body without major medical surgery. This procedure involves inserting a long tube through a natural opening of the body, such as the mouth.
- Cataract removal: Cataract removal is another example of outpatient surgery. The process consists of removing the cloudy lens of the eye and placing it with the artificial one. This helps to improve the vision of the patient.
- Lumpectomy: The procedure involves removing breast tumors and is performed by physicians at the early stage of breast cancer. With this surgery, the breast remains intact, and the process is known as breast-conserving surgery.
- Cosmetic procedure: Cosmetic procedures are one of the popular outpatient surgeries. Facial surgeries, breast augmentations and liposuctions are other examples of outpatient surgeries.
Benefits of Outpatient Surgeries
Now, we will discuss the benefits of outpatient surgical centers.
- Low cost: Outpatient surgeries are cost-effective. Insurance will cover these surgeries at a lower rate than hospital procedures. This results in affordable patient bills.
- Timesaving: The outpatient surgical center focuses on minor surgeries; therefore, it saves time and patients do not have to wait for longer periods.
- Help reduce discomfort: Patients feel more comfortable in their homes. One of the advantages of outpatient surgery is that the patient leaves home the same day, which might help them relax and recover from their homes.
- Increased mobility: Outpatient procedures require you to be on your feet after surgery. At home, you have relatives who can help you with that rather than waiting for the nurses to come and assist you. Additionally, hospitals restrict patients to their beds or rooms, but in their own houses, they can walk around freely, which can help them recover more quickly.
- Lower risk of infection: In hospitals, you are exposed to people who might carry germs. So, you have a risk of getting sick, but at home, you are only around your family members, which reduces the risk of infection.
Ambulatory surgical centers
Ambulatory surgery centers, also known as ASCs, are healthcare facilities that provide same-day surgical care. The main difference between ambulatory and outpatient surgical centers is that ASCs operate independently.
Procedures performed at the ambulatory surgical centers:
Procedures done at ambulatory surgical centers are.
- Orthopedic procedures: Orthopedic procedures include knee replacement, hip replacement, shoulder arthroscopy, and more.
- Gastrointestinal procedures: Endoscopies and Colonoscopies can also be performed in Ambulatory Surgery centers.
- Ophthalmological procedures: Eye-related surgeries such as cataracts, LASIK, and cataract surgeries are also performed at ambulatory surgical centers.
Benefits of Ambulatory Surgical Centers:
- Efficient scheduling: Efficient scheduling is one of the benefits of ambulatory surgery centers. It helps to save time for both patients and doctors.
- Insurance benefits: Procedures at ambulatory surgical centers are covered by insurance at a lower cost making it more cost-effective than the procedures done at the hospitals.
- Patient satisfaction: They have lofty standards for cleanliness and have specialized staff. They meet patient satisfaction due to their personalized care and better services.
- Accessible to the patients: They are located within the communities, which makes them convenient for patients.
Conclusion
Both Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Centers provide efficient, cost-effective options for minor surgeries. The main difference between OSCs and ASCs is that Ambulatory Surgical centers are independently owned and operated while Outpatient Surgical centers can be found in various settings.
