ASCs top hospital-based surgical facilities as hosts for commonly performed pediatric ENT cases, according to a study published in the December issue of the journal Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery.

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (Ohio) Medical Center and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center reviewed 486 outpatient procedures performed at an ASC or hospital-based facility. They evaluated ventilation tube insertion, dental rehabilitation, adenotonsillectomy and ventilation tube insertion/adenoidectomy based on the following quality measures: safety, patient-centeredness, timeliness, efficiency and equitability.

None of the 275 cases performed in the ASC resulted in unexpected safety issues, while unanticipated events occurred in 9 of the 211 procedures performed in the hospital, notes the study. Close to three-fourths of cases performed at the ASC started on time, compared to 38% of hospital cases. Additionally, total charges at the ASC were as much as 23% less than those captured at the hospital.

The study's authors say surgical performance at the ASC generally exceeded that at the hospital-based center. They suggest that government support of ASCs may be a wise use of resources and that investments in surgery centers is a way for academic health centers to remain financially viable.

Daniel Cook