Maryland Eye Associates
800 Prince Frederick Boulevard
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
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Cataract Surgery In the ASC
Mary anxiously enters Dr. Wrights office. Dr. Wright is Marys ophthalmologist. Mary is concerned with why her vision has deteriorated. Shes having difficulty seeing her favorite TV programs, trouble reading and embroidering for some time, and its getting worse.
After a thorough examination and some additional tests, Dr. Wright diagnoses Marys problems. Mary has cataracts that are clouding her vision. Dr. Wright recommends surgery for both eyes. Dr. Wright thinks Mary should have surgery on the left eye first.
Mary hasnt had surgery since she had her tonsils out. She remembers the three day stay in the hospital in the pediatric ward. That wasnt a very pleasant experience. Dr. Wright explains that her cataract surgery is now performed on an outpatient basis. Mary doesnt need to stay in the hospital overnight. Dr. Wright recommends Doctors Ambulatory Surgery Center. Doctors Ambulatory Surgery Center was founded by the surgeons that peform surgery there. The surgeons are in charge of the center and can more directly control all aspects of their patients care. Doctors ASC, as it is known, was licensed by the state, certified by Medicare, and accredited by the AAAHC (Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Healthcare). The AAAHC is a nationally recognized group of experts that assure that the ASC is up to the highest standards. Dr. Wright explains that ASCs are facilities where surgeries that do not require a hospital admission are performed. He told her that there are about 352 ASCs in Maryland, the highest number of ASCs per capita in the United States. Dr. Wright tells Mary that patient satisfaction with ASCs is about 98%. At Doctors ASC, Dr. Wright tells Mary that every patient he has operated on has been very pleased.
In the ASC, the surgery will be conducted in an operating room, with anesthesia services appropriate to the type of surgery and Marys medical condition, with the nursing staff selected and directed by her surgeon. In fact, this is the staff that Dr. Wright has been working with for some years. Dr. Wright tells Mary that, not only do patients prefer the ASC, but the staff really enjoy working there and working with the same surgeons all the time.
A staff member at Dr. Wrights office is able to schedule Marys surgery within the next three weeks at Marys convenience. That will allow time for Mary to see her primary care doctor, have an examination and go for some tests, to obtain medical “clearance” for the surgery. Scheduling the surgery was easier for Dr. Wrights office staff also.
When the day of surgery arrives, Mary has a friend drive her to Doctors ASC. After filling out some paperwork, Mary is prepped for surgery. Dr. Wright visits with her in the pre-op area just before she is wheeled into the operating room.
Before she knows it, Mary is having some juice in the recovery area. Dr. Wright greets her there and reports that the surgery went great. In a short time, Mary is riding home with her friend. Mary rests the remainder of the day. The next day, Mary goes to Dr. Wrights office. He examines Marys eye and tests her vision. It is already improved and will continue to improve over the next several days. Mary is ecstatic. She wants to know when Dr. Wright can fix the other eye.
Although Mary and Dr. Wright were fabricated for this article, the story repeats itself many times every day at doctors offices and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) throughout Maryland and the United States. ASCs are a cost effective alternative to more expensive surgical treatment facilities and help utilize our nations healthcare dollars wisely.
