Development and organization of outpatient surgery units: the hospital's perspective

Many indicators suggest continued growth in the ambulatory surgery arena. Economic pressures, technology, and third-party payers are contributing to this trend. Hospital admissions and inpatient stays are declining. The patient base is shifting to more economical settings. The impact of these factors has been considered throughout this discussion. These occurrences have prompted hospitals to diversify and to create organizational structures that provide opportunities for a total health care business approach. The success of ambulatory surgery programs developed by hospitals has been a major contributor to the continuation of these reorganization efforts. Acceptance on the part of patients and physicians is the major contributing factor to the continued growth of outpatient surgery units. Marketing techniques and consumer-oriented programs, coupled with efficiency and reduced costs, also assure that the ambulatory surgery phenomenon is here to stay.