Today more and more surgeries are done
in places other than hospitals.
These are "in and out" (ambulatory) surgery centers, where you may
stay for a few hours or up to one night. If you plan to have surgery
at such a center, call your health plan or visit the center to find
out:
If your health plan
will cover your care there.
How well trained
and experienced the center's health care professionals are.
If it is licensed. Then check
to see if it is accredited by a group such as the Joint
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
(telephone 630-792-5800), or the Accreditation Association
for Ambulatory Healthcare (847-676-9610). The accreditation
certificate should be posted in the facility.
If the center
is affiliated with a hospital. If it is not, find out
how the center will handle any emergency that could happen
during your visit.
