When it was opened by a private physicians group in 1988, Surgery Center of Rome (Ga.) had three ORs and about 12 physicians, according to Hometown Headlines.
The ASC now has four operating rooms and a team of 45 physicians — including surgeons, anesthesiologists and pathologists — and 43 nurses, scrub techs, administrative staff and other support staff.
Here are six things to know about the ASC, which is celebrating its 30th birthday.
1. Upon opening, Surgery Center of Rome was one of about 1,000 ASCs in the U.S. It was the first ASC in Northwest Georgia.
2. The ASC offers tonsillectomies, cataract extractions and other minor surgeries. An estimated 125,000 procedures have been performed at the center since it was established.
3. Recently retired Registered Nurse Diane Jones helped open the ASC. She was a recovery room nurse at Redmond Park and agreed to help set up the ASC's recovery room on a "temporary" basis. She worked at the facility for 10 years.
"It was an efficiently run place and an exciting time to be here," she said.
4. The Rome-based Redmond Park Hospital, which is now Redmond Regional Medical Center, acquired the facility shortly after it opened.
5. A 2001 building renovation added a fourth surgical suite and more storage space.
6. The ASC became part of HCA Tri-Star's Ambulatory Surgery Division in 2004.