Advantages of Having Your Procedure at an Ambulatory Surgery Center

Mar 18, 2025
Advantages of Having Your Procedure at an Ambulatory Surgery Center
When you need surgery, the setting can make a big difference in your experience and recovery. Ambulatory surgery centers offer a safe, efficient, and friendly alternative to hospitals — especially for minimally invasive procedures — and here’s why.

Are you facing the prospect of surgery? You have more options than large hospital systems where you’re just another patient. Ambulatory surgery centers are independent medical facilities specializing in outpatient procedures and emphasizing convenient, personalized care.

David A. Wiles, MD, and our team offer minimally invasive spine surgery and other neurosurgical procedures at our ambulatory surgery center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Here’s what you need to know about how ambulatory surgery centers work and the benefits we offer that could enhance your patient experience.

The basics of ambulatory surgery centers

An ambulatory surgery center is a specialized medical facility for outpatient surgical procedures. Unlike traditional hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers focus solely on elective surgeries that don’t require overnight hospitalization.

At our surgery center, Dr. Wiles specializes in minimally invasive procedures, including spinal decompression, spinal fusion, and fracture care. The same medical team oversees your journey from pre-operative assessments to post-operative follow-ups, ensuring continuity of care and a tailored approach to your needs.

The benefits of choosing an ambulatory surgery center

Our ambulatory surgery center might be a good option for neurosurgery or minimally invasive spine surgery. Many people find that choosing a surgery center instead of a traditional hospital offers a number of advantages, like:

Convenience and accessibility

We strive to offer a more straightforward and patient-friendly experience than large hospital systems. Having fewer patients to manage means scheduling is often more flexible, and wait times may be shorter.

In most cases, our patients arrive on the day of surgery, undergo their procedure, and return home to recover within hours. This efficiency helps minimize disruption to daily life and reduces the stress associated with surgical interventions.

Focused expertise

Specializing in specific types of surgeries allows ambulatory surgery centers like ours to develop concentrated expertise. Dr. Wiles and our medical staff perform the same procedures regularly, honing their skills and taking pride in delivering top-tier care.

State-of-the-art equipment

Ambulatory surgery centers invest in advanced medical equipment tailored to their specialized procedures to provide the best possible outcomes. Our center includes cutting-edge imaging systems, surgical instruments, and monitoring devices for minimally invasive techniques.

Access to and extensive experience with these technologies means that Dr. Wiles can perform complex procedures with precision, which results in less tissue damage and quicker recovery times for patients.

Reduced risk of infection

As an ambulatory surgery center, we maintain strict infection control protocols and have a lower patient volume than hospitals due to our focus on outpatient procedures. This environment significantly reduces the risk of hospital-acquired infections, providing a safer setting for surgical procedures.

Cost-effectiveness

Ambulatory surgical centers operate with lower overhead costs than large hospitals.  And that means we can potentially offer procedures at more affordable rates. Whether you’re using insurance or not, this method can make quality surgical care more accessible to a broader population.

Streamlined scheduling

We see fewer patients than large hospital systems, and our focus allows for more predictable scheduling. Our goal is to minimize delays and cancellations often encountered in hospital settings; you can plan for your procedure with certainty.

If you’re looking for a patient-centered approach to surgical care, it’s time to learn more about our ambulatory surgery center. Learn about your options for minimally invasive spine surgery and neurosurgical procedures by booking a consultation with Dr. Wiles today. Call us at 423-459-9800 or request an appointment online now.