If you’re going to be undergoing an endoscopic, or outpatient procedure, you’ll probably have this done at an ambulatory surgery center. There are approximately 22 million procedures performed in ambulatory centers in the United States every year. While this is a good sign for the success rate of surgeries, it also means that more and more surgical centers are popping up across the nation. And, when it comes to your health, you want to have the best care possible. The wise thing to do before choosing a surgery center for your operation is to do some research on the web and make sure that the center is accredited and that the surgeons are doctors who have the experience and expertise to successfully perform your procedure.

Check to See if the Surgery Center is Accredited

This should be the first thing you look for when it comes to choosing an ambulatory surgery center. The three major accreditation organizations for surgery centers in the United States are:

– The Joint Commission

– Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)

– American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities

In order to receive accreditation from one of these organizations, the surgery centers have to undergo a multitude of safety checks and other inspections throughout the year. These inspections ensure that the center is current with their medical practices and that they are following the healthcare guidelines that have been laid out by the organizations. The accreditation organizations will also perform an audit, in which they check to make sure the center is adhering to federal, state, and local licensing requirements, fire codes, sanitation regulations, and building codes. Part of this inspection involves an examination of the center’s hazardous waste standards and infection control practices, so that the medical environment is as safe as possible. Audits include the inspection of medical records and the center’s written policies so that there are no mistakes being made, or oversights within the center’s paperwork.

To become accredited, the surgery center must pay these organizations to perform the audits and inspections. When you’re looking for an ambulatory surgery center, call and ask them to tell you the date of their last inspection. If they haven’t been inspected for over a year, it’s wise to turn your attention elsewhere. Staying up to date with industry standards is essential for surgery centers to provide a safe environment for patients.

Schedule an Interview with the Surgeon

When it comes to surgery, you need to have full confidence in your surgeon before the operation. The best way to assure yourself that you will be in capable hands is to talk with the surgeon before you schedule an operation at that particular surgery center. Either through a phone interview, video conference, or face-to-face meeting, you should talk to the surgeon and make sure you feel that they have the necessary expertise and follow medical practices that you can trust.

Research Reviews from Previous Patients

There’s no question that everyone brings their own bias when it comes to giving an opinion. However, it can be beneficial to check out opinions from past patients on consumer review websites. While these websites usually offer a mixed bag of opinions, seeing a majority of negative reviews can be enough to steer you away from choosing that particular surgery center. The fact of the matter is that the choice is ultimately yours, and you will choose the surgery center that you feel most comfortable with. But, having some other opinions to consider may help make your decision a little clearer.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to surgical centers.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to surgical centers. http://www.lsiscottsdale.com/laser_spine_institute_accreditations/

Author Bio: Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to surgical centers.

Category: Medical Business
Keywords: surgical centers