Many different orthopaedic procedures can be handled as outpatient or “same-day” surgeries at an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC). If you’re facing outpatient surgery, it probably means your condition isn’t so severe that it requires extensive observation afterward. That can give some patients the impression that outpatient centers are smaller, with less access to the experts, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Outpatient surgery centers offer many advantages that you may not have even considered. If you’re looking for a silver lining as you anticipate surgery, consider the many added benefits that often come with outpatient procedures.

Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) Provide Access to Expert Care

Outpatient surgery centers, or ASCs, can be staffed by the same orthopaedic physicians as a larger facility – they just have a bit more flexibility because the cases are less time-intensive. Where do you plan to have your surgery? Are the orthopaedic physicians and other team members highly qualified and experienced in your particular procedure? Knowing that you’ll receive excellent care can be a big source of comfort for anyone who has just been recommended for an outpatient procedure.

Less Time Away from Home

Anticipating surgery can be nerve-wracking for more than a few reasons. Will it hurt? What will the recovery process be like? Most important, when can you get back to your normal routine?

Few people would rather spend the night in a medical facility than experience the comfort of their own home – even when recuperating from a potentially painful surgical procedure. No one looks forward to surgery, but simply knowing you’ll be home for dinner can lower the stress of a knee or hip operation. Adults and children alike would generally rather convalesce at home.

Outpatient Procedures Cost Less

A study was conducted to compare the cost of outpatient versus inpatient knee arthroplasty. It showed cost savings of roughly 50 percent for patients who chose outpatient surgery. The main cost savings stemmed from the difference in surgical facility fees at the hospital in question. Outpatient fees averaged $3800 per patient, whereas the inpatient charges cost patients 350 percent more, at $13,200 per patient.

While the charges will vary depending on the facility and other factors, the large difference in charges indicates that patients stand to save significantly by having their surgery done at an ambulatory center.

Potentially Better Outcomes

Other studies have shown improvements in outpatient outcomes, and one reason for this is the reduced exposure to infections. Recent findings in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery indicated there were lower rates of urinary tract infections, pneumonia and blood clots among outpatients who had undergone ankle fracture surgery. While it’s not entirely known what caused the discrepancy in infections, a hospital has the disadvantage of handling any type of illness or emergency that presents itself 24/7. 

In contrast, MidAmerica’s Ambulatory Surgery Center specializes in treating orthopaedic conditions, making its team highly collaborative and flexible. Whoever treats you will have information about your unique circumstances and medical background.

More Convenient Scheduling

The anxiety patients often feel before surgery can also stem from the toll it takes on their schedule and their life in general. Once you’ve settled on a date, the last thing you want to deal with is a sudden cancellation. You may have scheduled child care, taken time off of work, and made arrangements to be taken home.

Because the time spent in an outpatient facility is significantly less, you might find that scheduling an outpatient procedure is easier than an inpatient one. While this is not always the case, outpatient surgery centers tend to have more flexibility when it comes to scheduling. It can be a comfort knowing that few outpatient procedures are delayed or rescheduled, particularly when compared to issues hospitals face, such as emergency room difficulties or demands related to the recent pandemic.

Some ASC’s Offer Access to Other Patient Programs

If you’re contemplating an outpatient procedure, find an ASC that can also address the other aspects of your care at one location. At MidAmerica Orthopaedics, you’ll get access to a broad spectrum of care, including:

• Initial evaluation
• Radiology
• MRI
• EMG
• Physical and occupational therapy

The Palos Hills Surgery Center at MidAmerica Orthopaedics provides a full range of comprehensive, high-quality patient care. Both elective and emergency surgery can be performed here in a timely manner. Give us a call with any questions you have about your procedure, or go online to schedule an appointment today.