"Hire an architect who has built surgery centers and knows the difference between freestanding ASCs and hospital-based surgery centers. Work with a consultant who has done this before. Don't overbuild."

Doris Collier, RN, MBA
Specialists One-Day Surgery

"Do as many site visits as you can. Talk to your colleagues and determine what they would definitely do again and what they regret and would do another way."

Ann Geier, RN, MS, CNOR
Medicus Surgery Center

"Pick your physician partners very carefully. You don't need the wealthiest, but the highest quality with the largest practices."

Lawrence D. Pinkner, MD
SurgiCenter of Baltimore