Are outpatient (ambulatory surgery centers) surgeries safe?

Question

I am scared to have a breast reduction in a surgery center, but I'm not sure if it is a rational fear.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

In Washington State as in many other states, all surgical facilities must be licensed and are held to the same standards as hospital based facilities. Many if not most also have national accreditation such as the AAAASF. In some ways ambulatory surgery centers might be safer because they typically only treat healthy patients for elective procedures, so you are not exposed to hospitalized patients who may be sicker. So here's the checklist:Surgeon certified by appropriate board (for breast reduction, this would be the American Board of Plastic Surgery)Facility is accredited and licensedYou have appropriate arrangements for aftercare

Jon E. Rast, MD · Answer

I agree with Dr.Chang, that as long as you  are in good physical condition and go to an accredited surgery center it should be safe. Breast reductions can easily be performed in an outpatient center. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon.

David S. Chang, MD · Answer

I perform most outpatient surgery, including breast reductions, in a surgery center.  Most of my patients prefer them to the hospital.  If you are healthy without major medical problems, the facility is certified, you have an anesthesiologist present, and your surgeon is board certified in plastic surgery, it is perfectly safe to have a breast reduction in a surgery center.  You should discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon to make sure you are an appropriate candidate to have the procedure in a surgery center.

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

Surgery centers in most states are held to literally the same standards as hospitals so your fears are unwantedDr Corbin

Lisa Lynn Sowder, MD (retired) - Account Suspended · Answer

I understand your concern about ambulatory surgery centers.  It seems like a hospital would be safer for a major case like breast reduction surgery.  There was a time when I did all of my breast reductions in the hospital with an overnight stay.  For the past 10 years or so, I have done almost all my breast reductions as outpatients and I honestly feel that those patients have done as well or even a little better than the hospital patients.  Out patient surgery centers are smaller facilities and the staff is usually very cohesive and used to working together with the surgeon as a team.  This teamwork allows for efficiency and high quality care. Sending a patient home with a family member or friend provides the patient with one on one care, something that a hospital cannot provide.  Also, hospitals have a higher incidence of surgical site infections than outpatient surgery centers.  This does not mean that hospitals don't work as hard to reduce infections.  It just means that the patients present in the hospital operating rooms tend to be sick and are more likely to be carriers of certain bacteria.  Ambulatory surgery centers are for healthy patients who are not likely to carry worrisome bacteria.When choosing a surgery center, whether a free standing center or an in-office center, it is important to make sure the center is certified by one of several regulatory agencies.  Our in-office surgery center is accredited by AAAASF and also the State of Washington.  Also, make sure your surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  Just because a ambulatory surgery center is certified doesn't necessarily mean the surgeon is properly certified.

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

As long as the center is certified by the state or one of the main licensing bodies in the country (there are 3) and as long as there is a board certified anesthesiologist, the chances are high it is safe. We have had no serious problems in our center in its 25 year existence.

Are outpatient (ambulatory surgery centers) surgeries safe?

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