Frequently Asked Questions 
An ambulatory surgery centers (ASC), also known as an outpatient surgery
center, is a healthcare facility where surgeries that do not require hospital
admission are performed. An ambulatory surgery center provides a cost-effective
and convenient environment that is an alternative to a hospital-based environment
that many patients and surgeons prefer.
Patients who elect to have surgery in a surgery center arrive on the day of the
procedure, have the surgery in an operating room, and recover under the care of
the nursing staff, all without a hospital admission.
Outpatient surgery centers have been a part of the U.S healthcare system since 1970. There are approximately 5000 surgery centers in the U.S. where approximately 20 million surgeries are performed annually.
Just like hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers are monitored by State health departments,
the federal government and non-governmental agencies like the Joint Commission (previously
known as JCAHO) and the AAAHC (Accreditation Agency for Ambulatory Health Care). In fact,
ambulatory surgery centers are one of the most highly-regulated healthcare facilities and
are required to meet strict standards.
Since 1982, Medicare has certified ASC’s and up to 85% of ASC’s are certified by Medicare.
In Illinois, each and every ASC is required to be licensed by the Illinois Department of
Public Health.
Yes, this ASC meets the strict standards of Medicare.
Yes, this Center is accredited by the AAAHC, a prestigious honor not available to every ASC that is difficult to achieve and demands a high level of care.
Most of the surgical subspecialties perform procedures in an ASC, as long as the patient can go home the same day. The types of procedures performed in ASC’s include orthopedics, opthalmology, general surgery, gynecology, ear/nose and throat, pain management, urology, plastic surgery, GI or gastroenterology, and podiatry.
Studies have shown that patients cared for in an out patient surgery center have very high
( up to 98%) patient satisfaction. In addition, the care is generally more cost effective and
according to one study, 47% less expensive than comparable care in a hospital.
Your surgeon may also have chosen to care for you in this center because of the ease of
scheduling and decreased waiting time due to the efficiency achievable in ASC’s in general
and this center in particular.
You will receive a call before the end of day the business day prior to surgery. If you do not hear from the center by 4 pm the day before surgery, please feel free to call the center.
In almost all instances, you should not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before
surgery. Whether or not you can take your regular medications with a small sip of water the
morning of surgery depends on specific instructions you will get from your doctor and the
center no later than the day before surgery.
