Heart and vascular disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. Every year, millions of adults are diagnosed with heart conditions. Many need diagnostic tests or procedures to rule out problems or treat a disease. Traditionally, these were done in a hospital. Now more are done in outpatient clinics and ambulatory surgery centers. These centers are also called ASCs. Patients and families want to know if these facilities are safe for heart and vascular care. This blog explains what ASCs are, the cardiovascular tests done there, and what benefits patients can expect.
What Is an Ambulatory Surgery Center?
An ambulatory surgery center (ASC) is a health care facility where patients have procedures and go home the same day. They do not stay overnight. ASCs are regulated by state law and must meet health standards. They are often accredited by national organizations to show they meet quality and safety criteria.
A hospital, by contrast, is a larger facility. It has emergency services and intensive care units. Hospitals care for very sick patients or those who may need a long recovery time after a procedure. Hospitals have more complex equipment and specialists on site at all times. ASCs focus on planned procedures for patients who are stable and not extremely high risk.
What Is the Difference Between an ASC and a Hospital?
Let’s deep dive into the ambulatory surgery center vs the hospital:
Stay: ASCs are same-day, while hospitals keep patients overnight.
Services: Hospitals handle emergencies and acute care. ASCs handle scheduled procedures.
Size: Hospitals are larger with many departments. ASCs are smaller and focused.
Cost: ASCs usually cost less for similar outpatient procedures.
Staffing: Hospitals always have full teams in-house. ASCs have trained teams, but not always in every specialty in large numbers.
These differences matter when deciding where to have heart and vascular care.
Cardiovascular Tests Done on an Outpatient Basis
In recent years, technological improvements have allowed many cardiovascular screening and procedures to be done safely without a hospital stay. ASCs can perform certain heart and vascular services for appropriate patients. Below are some key outpatient cardiovascular services. Explore: What types of cardiovascular tests are usually done on an outpatient basis?
Cardiac Ablations
Cardiac ablation is a procedure to treat arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms). Radiofrequency energy or cryotherapy is used to interrupt abnormal electrical signals in the heart. Historically, this was done in hospitals only. Recently, Medicare and other payers have allowed some cardiac ablations to be done in ASCs under strict protocols. Early results suggest this can be done safely in selected patients with proper care pathways and discharge planning.
Electrophysiology Studies (EPS)
An electrophysiology study tests the electrical activity of the heart. It helps doctors diagnose rhythm problems. This procedure is minimally invasive and can be done in outpatient settings. Patients are usually discharged the same day after monitoring for a short time.
Certain Interventional Cardiology Procedures
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a procedure that opens blocked coronary arteries. Recent research shows that some PCI procedures for stable patients can be done in ASCs with safety outcomes similar to hospital outpatient departments.
Vascular Access Surgery
This includes procedures to create or revise access points in blood vessels. These access points may be used for dialysis or other long-term therapies. In many cases, these surgeries are suitable for ASC settings if the patient is stable.
Peripheral Vascular Interventions (PVI)
Peripheral vascular interventions address blockages in arteries outside the heart, often in the legs. Some of these treatments can be done in outpatient settings such as ASCs or office-based labs. The move to outpatient care has grown as imaging and catheter technology have improved.
Do Ambulatory Surgery Centers Have Cardiologists and Anesthesiologists On Site?
Yes. Qualified ASCs that perform heart and vascular procedures must have well-trained teams. These often include:
- Board-certified cardiologists when cardiovascular procedures.
- Anesthesiologists or certified nurse anesthetists during procedures requiring sedation or anesthesia.
- Registered nurses and technicians trained in heart or vascular care.
- High-quality ASCs plan for possible complications and know when to transfer a patient to a hospital if needed.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Outpatient Heart and Vascular Tests?
Outpatient heart and vascular services are best for patients who are:
- Stable with controlled medical conditions.
- Low risk for complications.
- Able to have a responsible adult caregiver after discharge.
- Not likely to need emergency care or long-term monitoring after a procedure.
Doctors decide who is appropriate based on health history, physical exam, and test results. Not all patients qualify for ASC procedures. Someone with multiple uncontrolled health problems would likely be advised to have a hospital setting instead.
Key Benefits of Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Outpatient cardiovascular care has several potential benefits. These are based on current research and trends in the U.S. health care system. Explore some of the major ASC safety and benefits–
Convenient
ASCs are mostly local and have shorter check-in times. Patients can go home the same day without an overnight stay. This decreases disruption to daily life.
Cost-Effective
ASCs generally charge less than hospital outpatient departments for the same procedures. This can help patients save on both facility fees and the overall cost of care.
Streamlined Experience
Because ASCs specialize in planned procedures, care can be smoother. Staff are focused on specific types of care. Patients mostly report positive experiences.
Safety Protocols
ASCs must follow strict rules. They must be licensed and usually seek accreditation. Many are now included in national registries to track outcomes. This helps centers monitor complications and outcomes.
Are Ambulatory Surgery Centers Safe for Heart and Vascular Procedures?
Safety must always be measured by patient outcomes and emergency preparedness. Several studies prove cardiovascular procedures safe in ASCs. This supports the idea that well-selected patients can have certain heart procedures safely in an outpatient setting.
ASCs must have emergency transfer plans to a hospital if a complication occurs. They also must have protocols for infection control, anesthesia safety, and monitoring after procedures.
Still, not every cardiovascular procedure belongs in an outpatient center. Very complex cases or patients with unstable conditions are safer in a hospital where full resources are immediately available.
Where Can I Get Heart and Vascular Screening at an Ambulatory Surgery Center in Wisconsin?
If you live in Wisconsin and are considering outpatient heart and vascular care, visit SAAK Health to get personalized care.
Cardiovascular Associates at SAAK Health provides care for heart and vascular conditions. We deliver a range of diagnostic and treatment options. These include:
- Heart disease management
- Preventive cardiology
- Vascular exams and interventions
- Advanced cardiovascular care
We combine expert physicians with outpatient surgery services which allows for coordinated care without a hospital stay when appropriate.
SAAK Health’s ambulatory surgery center is accredited, showing its commitment to quality and safety. Patients can get heart and vascular screening Brookfield and treatment in one place.
Conclusion
Ambulatory surgery centers are an important part of modern health care. They allow many heart and vascular procedures to be done safely on an outpatient basis. Research and national registries show that for many patients, ASCs have safety outcomes similar to hospital outpatient departments. They are cost-effective and convenient. However, they are not right for all patients. Doctors decide based on risk factors and medical history.
Outpatient cardiovascular care continues to expand as technology improves and data show safety for many procedures. Patients should talk with their doctor to choose the best care setting for their heart health.
FAQs
When is it better to choose an ASC over a hospital for minor surgery?
An Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) is a better choice for minor or routine surgeries that do not require an overnight stay. ASCs are ideal when you are generally healthy, your procedure is low-risk, and you can safely recover at home the same day. Patients choose ASCs for their shorter wait times, specialized focus on outpatient procedures, and a more convenient, less stressful environment compared to a hospital.
Are ambulatory surgery centers cheaper than hospitals for the same procedure?
Yes, in most cases, ASCs are significantly less expensive than hospitals for the same outpatient procedure. ASCs typically have lower facility fees and fewer overhead costs, which can result in lower bills for patients and insurers. Many insurance plans encourage the use of ASCs because they can reduce overall healthcare costs without compromising quality.
What questions should I ask before choosing an ASC for my procedure?
Before selecting an ASC, consider asking:
- Is the center accredited and licensed?
- How experienced is the surgical team with my specific procedure?
- What type of anesthesia will be used, and who provides it?
- What are the infection and complication rates?
- Is the ASC in-network with my insurance plan?
- What costs should I expect, including facility and anesthesia fees?
- What emergency protocols are in place if complications arise?
Asking these questions helps ensure the ASC is a safe, high-quality, and cost-effective choice for your surgery.