Efficiency in ambulatory surgery center

Improving efficiency of an ASC is complex and includes timely preoperative patient screening and preparation, appropriate operating room allocation and scheduling, and timely discharge home. It is necessary that a CQI process be implemented to remove organizational barriers and evaluate facility-based interventions used to streamline the throughput and enhance productivity. Of note, because there are significant variations between ASC practices, an approach that would improve efficiency in one ASC may not always be applicable to another ASC. Finally, it is imperative that any attempts to improve productivity do not compromise quality of patient care and patient safety, which must be the primary aim of the ASC.