title: Ambulatory surgery centers: short-term stays mean long-term opportunities for pharmacists.
abstract: With cost cutting paramount in health care, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have become increasingly popular as an alternative for performing many low-risk surgical procedures. Currently, there are more than 5,000 of these centers nationwide, and visits to ASCs have tripled in the last decade. In addition to being cost-effective, at least one study suggests that they are more efficient than hospitals, which saves patients time, as well as money. As this segment of the health care industry grows, this also presents new opportunities for pharmacists interested in a new professional niche and practice challenge.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaldy
mesh_terms: D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D024382:Professional Role; D014481:United States