How does an ambulatory surgery center differ from other outpatient facilities?
Ambulatory surgery centers are not similar to rural health clinics, urgent care centers, or other ambulatory care centers that provide diagnostic or primary health care. Ambulatory surgery centers treat only patients who have already seen a health care provider and selected surgery as an appropriate treatment. Physician offices are not ambulatory surgery centers. All ambulatory surgery centers must have at least one dedicated operating room and the equipment need to safely perform surgery and ensure quality patient care.
