Quality and financial performance of ambulatory surgery facilities in the U.S.

Abstract

The aim of the research is to compare quality and financial performance of freestanding ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and hospital-based outpatient departments (HOPDs). Patient-level ambulatory surgery and hospital data (1997-2004) for the state of Florida were assembled and analyzed. We used descriptive statistics to study quality and pricing differences for freestanding ASCs and HOPDs as reflected by 30-day hospitalizations due to adverse events average and total charges in actual claims files. There are some differences in quality outcomes between ASCs and HOPDs. Substantial charge differences exist for patients undergoing the most common outpatient procedures and surgeries. There was no a clear winner in terms of quality outcomes, but the differences in charges were large enough to presume that they may translate into similar difference in actual costs and may be in favor of freestanding ACSs.