CardioSource WorldNews
As patient care continues its transition to the outpatient setting, the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) has quickly grown in popularity as a high-quality, cost-effective alternative to hospital-based outpatient care. In turn, the number and types of services offered in the ASC setting have significantly expanded. A once narrow scope of procedures has given way to a diverse range of services by numerous specialties, including cardiology. This column discusses the advantages and disadvantages for cardiologists who are considering the adoption of an ASC strategy.