What can Australia learn from US ambulatory surgery centres?

Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) have been a cornerstone of the US healthcare system for over 50 years, with approximately 6,000 Medicare-certified centers now operating across the country. These innovative facilities, which provide same-day surgical care, diagnostics, and prevention, have transformed healthcare for millions of Americans.

But how do ASCs compare within Australia’s healthcare system, and what lessons can be learned from the US success story?

William Prentice, CEO of the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) USA, believes ASCs deliver excellent patient outcomes and are a valuable asset to any healthcare system. Speaking ahead of the Short Stay Hospital Forum, Mr. Prentice shared his insights.

Superior Patient Outcomes and Efficiency

"I've never seen a piece of research showing poorer health outcomes in this type of facility. In every study I’m aware of, patient outcomes are at least as good, if not better, than when the equivalent care is provided in a hospital," Mr. Prentice said.

ASCs also offer significant efficiency benefits:

• Procedures in ASCs take 25% less time compared to hospital outpatient departments.
• Staff specialize in outpatient procedures, performing them repeatedly and achieving high levels of expertise.

"Surgery centers only perform outpatient procedures, so they have staff who are really specialized. They provide excellent care because they’re doing the same procedures over and over again, more quickly, with the same safety and great outcomes."

Key Enablers of ASC Success

Mr. Prentice credits the success of ASCs to several factors:

1. Clinical Advances: Innovations in anesthesia allow patients to wake up coherent and return home the same day.
2. Physician Leadership: Strong clinical leadership ensures the highest standards of care and efficient operations.

"Physician leadership is the most important component of the surgery center in terms of its ability to provide excellent care and great patient outcomes."

Expanding Capabilities of ASCs

ASCs in the US currently perform a range of common procedures, including:

• Cataract surgeries
• Screening colonoscopies
• Total joint replacements (e.g., knees and shoulders)

Mr. Prentice believes the model has untapped potential:

"Ten years ago, no one could have imagined we’d be doing total knee or shoulder replacements with same-day discharge. It’s hard to predict where this movement will go."

Challenges and Opportunities for Australia

While Mr. Prentice acknowledges the challenges of funding short stay models in Australia, he believes the effort is worthwhile:

"It is hard to break loose from doing the things we are used to, especially if there are better financial incentives for keeping care in the hospital environment. But the current pressures on our healthcare system require new thinking and investment in more efficient, lower-cost care."

Join the Discussion

William Prentice will share more insights into how ASCs are transforming US healthcare at the upcoming Short Stay Hospital Forum, hosted by Informa Connect. The event will take place on 30 July at the Rendezvous Melbourne.

Learn more and register your tickets here.

About William Prentice

William (Bill) Prentice is the Chief Executive of the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) and the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association Foundation (ASCAF). ASCA represents the interests of more than 6,200 ASCs in the US, providing advocacy, benchmarking, staff training, and other services.

Under Mr. Prentice’s leadership, ASCA has achieved record membership numbers, increased revenue, and strengthened its advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and with federal agencies.