Today, there are well over 5000 Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) operating throughout the United States. And the number keeps rising. In large part, that growth is fueled by patient demand.

That’s because ASCs generally provide an outpatient surgery experience that’s faster, friendlier, and more convenient than would be expected from a hospital setting. This means many patients will have a viable and enticing alternative to traditional hospital care. Overall, ambulatory surgery centers can provide significant benefits for patients.

If you need a partial knee replacement, total joint replacement, or other outpatient surgery, the thought of going through the procedure can cause some jitters. Fear of surgery is known as tomophobia. It's normal to feel some stress before surgery, often because you don't know what will happen. Follow these five tips to ease your uncertainty.

Iowa City Ambulatory Surgery Center was just awarded the prestigious CNOR (R) Strong Designation from the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI).

This honor is determined on an annual basis and is awarded to facilities in which 50% or more of their full-time nursing staff have achieved CNOR certification and the facility consistently recognizes and rewards nurses who achieved this designation. According to CCI, “Earning the CNOR designation is a mark of distinction and demonstrates a commitment to upholding the highest standards in patient safety.”

Additionally, “Research shows nurses who earn the CNOR credential have greater confidence in their clinical practice. Teams of CNOR-certified nurses who have mastered the standards of perioperative practice have been correlated to improved outcomes in surgical patients. We call that CNOR Strong.”

Iowa City ASC Medical Director, Thomas Simpson MD, FACS, said, "The CNOR certification program at the Iowa City ASC has been very productive for both the facility and the nursing staff. The nurses are actively engaged in continuing education that they can apply to their daily work. It has helped enhance a culture of progressive improvement and making high-quality care for our patients the core priority of the surgery center."

Care providers have a lot to keep track of these days. There isn’t enough time in the day to give each patient every ounce of thoughtful attention they deserve, and many days it probably feels like you’re running on empty.

As a patient, the world of healthcare can be intimidating, and all of your options for care can be overwhelming and a little scary.

Take Charge of Your Healthcare

As we’ve previously discussed in our blogs, exercising your patient rights is an important way to engage in your healthcare. Taking charge of your healthcare helps to ensure you are receiving the best care possible.

In our previous blog we discussed patient rights—your right to choose where and from whom you receive care. These rights are vital to receiving the care you need with dignity and respect, and they can help support you in engaging with your healthcare.

Patients’ Rights: What You Need to Know

There are many challenges to face within the world of healthcare, especially if you’re a care provider. Patients are the number one concern, since their well-being is the top priority of healthcare. Placing priority on patients requires astute attention to detail, constant research into new modes of care, and utilizing tools and environments that will be conducive to successful outcomes.

What's an ASC?

Maybe you’ve heard of ambulatory surgical centers before, but even if you have, there’s still a high chance you are unsure whether an ASC is right for you.