Ethical Considerations in Selection of Procedure Location: Hospital Versus Surgery Center

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are an alternative to hospitals for outpatient orthopedic surgeries. ASCs can offer lower costs, faster turnover times, and lower operative times while maintaining similar safety and readmission rates. However, hospitals can offer more robust care in the perioperative period and are better equipped to handle any complications. Physician-owned ASCs offer a unique perspective into what a potential physician-owned health care model could look like and raise the question of whether there should be a push for physician-owned hospitals, given the efficiencies seen in ASCs.