title: Ambulatory surgery. An evolution.
abstract: Technological advances have allowed the number of outpatient surgical procedures performed each year to increase steadily. Pressure from patients, physicians, and third-party payers has led to an increase in the number of freestanding Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs). By virtue of their structure, freestanding ASCs have been able to provide services at a lower cost than their hospital counterparts. Rapid changes in the health care environment are forcing health care facilities to adopt cost-cutting measures in an attempt to compete in the marketplace.
authors.affiliation: Elliot 1-Day Surgery Center, Manchester, New Hampshire, USA.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: DeFazio-Quinn
mesh_terms: D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics* / Q000639:trends*; D003363:Cost Control; D006801:Humans; D011182:Postoperative Care