When looking for an ASC that's best for surgeons and their patients, physicians can start their search by consulting Google, especially if the surgeon is new to the area, according to West Orange, N.J.-based Mountain Surgery Center.
The center posted five tips for surgeons on their blog:
1. When surgeons are scouting out ASCs, they should be on the lookout the ASC's proximity to a hospital in case of an emergency, as well as accreditation status from agencies such as The Joint Commission or the AAAHC.
2. Surgeons should make sure to inquire about the infection rates at the ASC, and make a point of checking if the facility is clean and modern.
3. Meeting with the staff to ensure they would be good fits for the surgeon is another factor to consider.
4. Surgeons should be familiar with the other surgeons at the facility; surgery centers that employ reputable surgeons are reputable themselves.
5. Lastly, surgeons should check to see if the ASC is flexible with scheduling to avoid conflict over optimal surgery times in the future.