37
OUTPATIENT
SURGERY
Why outpatient spine centers can have lower infection
rates than hospitals
By Mackenzie Garrity
O
utpatient centers can be a great
alternative for inpatient surgery
for the right candidate. Studies
have shown outpatient surgery costs
less and leads to the same outcomes as
inpatient surgery.
Phoenix Spine took an in-depth look at
its surgery center to determine its infec-
tion rate and reasons for success.
Here's what you need to know.
1. Many ASCs report between 1 and 5 sur-
gical site infections per 1,000 patients
while some hospitals can report rates
of 20 infections per 1,000 patients.
2. One reason for the lower infections
rates is the regulations in place for
ASCs. Outpatient centers must have
effective means to transfer patients
to hospital in case of complications
while also following the same stan-
dards of care as hospitals.
3. Additionally, ASCs focused on
specific specialties employ staff
who are experts in that field. By
having surgeons and a support
team versed in specific proce-
dures, infection rates can drop.
4. Also, because ASCs are often run by
a small group of surgeons, the sur-
geons can tailor their specialty, fo-
cusing on the equipment, layout,
procedures and staff skill level re-
quired.
5. Further research also found because
ASCs can specialize in one type of
surgery, they can in turn experience
lower infections rates.
