Far from Deficient, close to Perfect: Ambulatory Surgery Centers are the Perfect Place for Outpatient Surgery

Abstract

Thirty years ago, virtually all surgical procedures are carried out in hospitals. Waits for weeks and months for a surgical procedure are not uncommon, and patients spent several weeks at hospital and several weeks out of these facilities to recover. This healthcare system delivery is inconvenient, inefficient and resented by patients and doctors alike. It costs the United States a great deal of economic resource spending that can be smartly used for other purposes. In many countries, this is still the way to deliver health services, but not any more in the United States.