Ambulatory Surgery: A Game-Changer in Healthcare

by | May 15, 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, ambulatory surgery also known as outpatient surgery, has emerged as a transformative force, reshaping the way patients receive surgical care. At the heart of this revolution lies the concept of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), specialized facilities designed to provide outpatient surgical procedures. These centers have become instrumental in delivering high-quality care while enhancing patient satisfaction and operational efficiency.

An ambulatory surgery center is a healthcare facility that performs surgical procedures that do not require an overnight hospital stay. Patients will come in on the day of their surgery and go home the same day to recover from the comfort of their own homes.

These centers are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and staffed by skilled healthcare professionals, including surgeons, nurses, and anesthesiologists, all focused on delivering safe and efficient care. ASCs offer a wide range of surgical services across various medical specialties, from orthopedics and ophthalmology to gastroenterology and dermatology.

What is so great about ambulatory surgery procedures, is that they are often less invasive and have shorter recovery times than traditional inpatient surgeries seen in a typical hospital setting, offering benefits such as reduced costs, quicker recovery, and increased convenience for patients. Ambulatory surgery can encompass a wide range of procedures across various medical specialties, from minor treatments to more complex surgeries.

There are so many incredible aspects of ambulatory surgery, that it is no surprise that it is forever changing healthcare moving forward. With that being said we will now go over the advantages of ambulatory surgery and compare ambulatory surgery centers to your typical everyday hospitals.

 

Dr. Frimpong performing an ambulatory surgery
 

Advantages of Outpatient Surgery

Ambulatory surgery, also known as outpatient surgery or same-day surgery, offers numerous benefits for both the patients and healthcare providers. These advantages have contributed to the growing popularity and widespread adoption of ambulatory surgery centers also known as ASCs, as the preferred setting for surgical procedures. Here are some of the biggest key advantages of outpatient surgery:

  1. Reduced Costs: Outpatient surgery is typically more cost-effective than inpatient surgery. By avoiding the expense of overnight hospital stays and reducing the use of hospital resources such as large staff numbers, ancillary services, and excess beds, ambulatory procedures help lower overall healthcare costs for patients, insurers, and healthcare providers. This cost savings is particularly beneficial in today’s healthcare landscape, where controlling healthcare expenditures is a top priority.
  2. Enhanced Patient Experience: Ambulatory surgery centers are specially designed to prioritize patient comfort and satisfaction. Right from the moment patients schedule an appointment and enter the facility to the time they are discharged, every aspect of the surgical experience is tailored to meet the patient’s specific needs. This patient-centered approach fosters a positive experience and helps alleviate anxiety associated with surgery, leading to higher levels of patient satisfaction. ASCs are much smaller than a typical hospital allowing for better supervision of its employees which results in a better more positive experience for the patients.
  3. Lower Infection Rates: ASCs typically have lower rates of infections compared to your everyday hospitals. There are far fewer people in an ASC compared to a hospital. This is due in part to the shorter duration of exposure to potential pathogens and the rigorous infection control measures implemented in ASCs. Hospitals deal with all sorts of infections, viruses, bacteria, and so on due to the high amounts of patients they receive. By reducing the risk of postoperative complications and infections, ambulatory surgery helps lower healthcare costs associated with treating surgical complications and readmissions.
  4. Quicker Recovery: Outpatient surgery is often associated with shorter recovery times compared to inpatient surgery. This is because patients can return home shortly after their surgical procedure. This enables the patient to recover in familiar surroundings, which can lead to much faster healing and reduce any risk of hospital-acquired infections which we previously mentioned. Additionally, the minimally invasive techniques used in many ambulatory surgery centers such as SpineMed Specialists, can contribute to quicker recovery times and far less postoperative discomfort.
  5. Specialized Expertise: ASCs often specialize in specific surgical procedures or medical specialties, allowing them to develop expertise and proficiency in those areas. This specialization in surgical procedures leads to higher quality care, as ASC staff are experienced in performing a particular set of procedures and are far more familiar with the latest advancements and best practices within their respective specialty.

These are just some of the reasons outpatient surgery is becoming so popular within the healthcare industry. SpineMed Specialists is one of these ASCs specifically focusing on providing the highest quality minimally invasive spine surgery. Thanks to our staff, nurses, and our very own neurosurgeon Dr. Frimpong, we can get you in and out of the surgery room as fast as possible so you can resume your everyday activities and live your life to the fullest.

SpineMed Specialits: Ambulatory Surgery in Wichita, KS

SpineMed Specialists is committed to providing the best ambulatory surgery in Wichita, KS. At our ASC patients will have access to cutting-edge ambulatory surgery services delivered by a team of highly skilled specialists with over thirty years of collective experience. Specializing in spine care and neurosurgery, SpineMed is committed to providing personalized, high-quality care in a comfortable and convenient outpatient surgery setting.

With a focus on minimally invasive techniques and advanced surgical technologies, the specialists at SpineMed are dedicated to achieving optimal patient outcomes while minimizing postoperative discomfort and recovery time. Whether treating degenerative spine conditions, spinal injuries, or spinal deformities, SpineMed Specialists’ multidisciplinary team of experts employs state-of-the-art surgical approaches to address each patient’s unique needs.

One of the key advantages of choosing SpineMed Specialists for outpatient surgery is our commitment to patient-centered care. From the moment you walk through the door, you will be greeted by our incredible receptionists and staff. Our nurses will make sure you feel safe and comfortable throughout the entire process.

They are without a doubt the heart and soul of our business having been with the company since it started. Lastly, our board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeon Dr. Frimpong, will make sure you understand the procedure and deliver it with the highest level of expertise.

Furthermore, SpineMed’s ambulatory surgery center offers several benefits for patients, including shorter wait times, streamlined scheduling, and the convenience of same-day discharge. By eliminating the need for overnight hospital stays, SpineMed enables patients to undergo spine surgery in a safe, cost-effective, and supportive environment allowing patients to return home to recover with minimal disruption to their daily lives.

 

Front lobby at our outpatient surgery clinic
 

Elevate Your Patient Experience Through Ambulatory Surgery

So as you can see ambulatory surgery is without a doubt changing the healthcare industry for the better. Now just imagine the joy of a grandmother who can once again play with her grandchildren without the insufferable back pain weighing her down. Imagine the relief on a young professional’s face as he returns to work, free from the pain of a spinal injury that had held him back. These are moments that drive us, the moments where we witness firsthand the profound impact our work has on people’s lives.

At SpineMed Specialists we don’t simply offer ambulatory surgery. We offer much more than that. We offer our patients the ability to restore their confidence, reclaim their independence, and the ability to enjoy life to the fullest as it should.

From allowing patients to save money, reducing the risk of infections, enhancing patient experience, quicker recovery times, and specialized expertise, SpineMed Specialists is here to help you get back on your feet. Life should be lived without pain and stress on how to pay for it. Contact us today via this form or call us at 316-733-9393 to schedule an appointment.