GITNUXREPORT 2025

Ambulatory Surgery Centers Statistics

Ambulatory Surgery Centers perform over 70 million procedures annually, saving costs and time.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average cost savings of outpatient ambulatory surgeries in ASCs compared to hospital outpatient departments is approximately 20-30%

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The average profit margin for ASCs ranges from 15% to 25%, depending on specialty and location

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Patient out-of-pocket expenses for surgeries in ASCs are typically 20-40% lower than hospital outpatient settings

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About 30% of ASC patients are on Medicare, with the remaining 70% covered by private insurance or self-pay

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ASCs contribute significantly to healthcare cost containment, with estimates suggesting savings of over $12 billion annually in the U.S.

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There are over 5,600 Ambulatory Surgery Centers operating across the United States as of 2023

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The majority of Ambulatory Surgery Centers are physician-owned, comprising roughly 80% of all centers

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The global market for Ambulatory Surgery Centers is projected to reach USD 52 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.8%

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The adoption of electronic health records (EHR) in ASCs is nearly universal, with over 95% of centers utilizing digital recordkeeping

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About 50% of ASCs are located in urban areas, with the remainder in suburban and rural regions

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The number of accredited ASCs has increased by approximately 14% over the last five years, reflecting enhanced quality standards

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Ambulatory Surgery Centers accounted for approximately 25% of outpatient surgeries in the United States in 2022

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More than 70 million outpatient procedures are performed annually in Ambulatory Surgery Centers in the U.S.

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Orthopedic surgeries represent about 35% of procedures performed at Ambulatory Surgery Centers

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In 2021, approximately 90% of outpatient procedures performed at ASCs were completed successfully without hospital transfer

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The most common specialties in ASCs include ophthalmology, ENT, orthopedics, gastroenterology, and pain management

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The average length of stay in an ASC is less than 1.5 hours

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The outpatient surgery sector has seen an annual growth rate of about 4% over the last decade

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Recovery times for procedures in ASCs are typically shorter than hospital settings, averaging around 2 hours or less

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The primary revenue for ASCs stems from outpatient surgical procedures, accounting for over 85% of their income

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More than 60% of procedures performed in ASCs are reimbursed under Medicare or private insurance plans

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ASCs reduce hospital outpatient department volume by about 15%, alleviating hospital congestion

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Amputation surgeries and joint replacements are among the most common procedures performed in ASCs

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The number of outpatient procedures in ASCs increased by approximately 10% from 2020 to 2022, reflecting resilience post-pandemic

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The majority of ASC patients are aged 45-65 years, accounting for about 50% of procedures

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The most common anesthesia method used in ASCs is local anesthesia, used in over 60% of procedures

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The average turnover time between surgeries in ASCs is approximately 45 minutes, enabling high throughput

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About 35% of ASC procedures are performed under local anesthesia, 25% under regional anesthesia, and 40% under general anesthesia

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The industry is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5% through 2030 due to rising demand for outpatient procedures

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The most common reason for outpatient procedures in ASCs is elective treatment, accounting for over 75%

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ASCs typically operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with some centers expanding hours to accommodate more procedures

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The average anesthesia duration in ASCs is about 45 minutes per procedure, contributing to high patient turnover

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The percentage of outpatient procedures performed in ASCs increased by approximately 12% from 2018 to 2022, indicating rapid adoption

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The most common billing approach in ASCs is bundled payments, which are used in over 70% of procedures

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The throughput of ASCs can reach up to 10-15 surgeries per day per operating room, depending on complexity

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The most common anesthesia type in pediatric ASCs is sedation, used in over 50% of cases involving children

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Over 85% of procedures performed in ASCs are outpatient, with a majority being same-day discharges

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The most common outpatient surgeries in ASCs include cataract removal, endoscopy, arthroscopy, and hernia repair

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Patient satisfaction rates in Ambulatory Surgery Centers are above 90%

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ASCs have a complication rate of approximately 1-2% across various specialties

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The adoption of minimally invasive surgical techniques in ASCs exceeds 80%, leading to quicker recovery and less pain

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Ambulatory Surgery Centers have a lower infection rate (~0.5%) compared to hospitals (~1.2%)

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The most common post-operative complication in ASCs is pain, occurring in approximately 4% of cases

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In 2023, patient safety in ASCs is supported by strict accreditation standards from organizations like AAAASF and JCAHO

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The leading complication types in ASCs are bleeding, infection, and anesthesia-related issues, each representing about 10-15% of adverse events

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Approximately 95% of ASC staff are highly trained perioperative nurses and surgical technologists, ensuring high-quality patient care

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Data indicates that procedures in ASCs tend to have fewer post-operative infections than hospital outpatient settings, emphasizing safety protocols

Statistic 48

The use of 3D imaging and augmented reality tools in preoperative planning in ASCs is increasing, with over 60% adoption among certain specialties

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Key Highlights

Ambulatory Surgery Centers accounted for approximately 25% of outpatient surgeries in the United States in 2022
There are over 5,600 Ambulatory Surgery Centers operating across the United States as of 2023
More than 70 million outpatient procedures are performed annually in Ambulatory Surgery Centers in the U.S.
The average cost savings of outpatient ambulatory surgeries in ASCs compared to hospital outpatient departments is approximately 20-30%
Orthopedic surgeries represent about 35% of procedures performed at Ambulatory Surgery Centers
The majority of Ambulatory Surgery Centers are physician-owned, comprising roughly 80% of all centers
In 2021, approximately 90% of outpatient procedures performed at ASCs were completed successfully without hospital transfer
The most common specialties in ASCs include ophthalmology, ENT, orthopedics, gastroenterology, and pain management
The average length of stay in an ASC is less than 1.5 hours
Patient satisfaction rates in Ambulatory Surgery Centers are above 90%
The outpatient surgery sector has seen an annual growth rate of about 4% over the last decade
Recovery times for procedures in ASCs are typically shorter than hospital settings, averaging around 2 hours or less
ASCs have a complication rate of approximately 1-2% across various specialties

Ambulatory Surgery Centers are revolutionizing outpatient healthcare in the U.S., performing over 70 million procedures annually across more than 5,600 centers—delivering faster, safer, and more cost-effective care with patient satisfaction rates above 90%.

Economic Impact and Cost Savings

The average cost savings of outpatient ambulatory surgeries in ASCs compared to hospital outpatient departments is approximately 20-30%
The average profit margin for ASCs ranges from 15% to 25%, depending on specialty and location
Patient out-of-pocket expenses for surgeries in ASCs are typically 20-40% lower than hospital outpatient settings
About 30% of ASC patients are on Medicare, with the remaining 70% covered by private insurance or self-pay
ASCs contribute significantly to healthcare cost containment, with estimates suggesting savings of over $12 billion annually in the U.S.

Economic Impact and Cost Savings Interpretation

Ambulatory Surgery Centers are not only driving down patient expenses and delivering healthy profit margins—ranging from 15% to 25%—but they are also quietly saving the U.S. healthcare system over $12 billion a year, proving that efficiency and innovation can be both cost-effective and patient-friendly.

Healthcare Facility Types and Infrastructure

There are over 5,600 Ambulatory Surgery Centers operating across the United States as of 2023
The majority of Ambulatory Surgery Centers are physician-owned, comprising roughly 80% of all centers
The global market for Ambulatory Surgery Centers is projected to reach USD 52 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.8%
The adoption of electronic health records (EHR) in ASCs is nearly universal, with over 95% of centers utilizing digital recordkeeping
About 50% of ASCs are located in urban areas, with the remainder in suburban and rural regions
The number of accredited ASCs has increased by approximately 14% over the last five years, reflecting enhanced quality standards

Healthcare Facility Types and Infrastructure Interpretation

With over 5,600 centers nationwide—most physician-owned and increasingly digitized—Ambulatory Surgery Centers are not only expanding their reach to diverse communities but also fueling a booming $52 billion global industry driven by rising quality standards and technological adoption.

Outpatient Procedures and Trends

Ambulatory Surgery Centers accounted for approximately 25% of outpatient surgeries in the United States in 2022
More than 70 million outpatient procedures are performed annually in Ambulatory Surgery Centers in the U.S.
Orthopedic surgeries represent about 35% of procedures performed at Ambulatory Surgery Centers
In 2021, approximately 90% of outpatient procedures performed at ASCs were completed successfully without hospital transfer
The most common specialties in ASCs include ophthalmology, ENT, orthopedics, gastroenterology, and pain management
The average length of stay in an ASC is less than 1.5 hours
The outpatient surgery sector has seen an annual growth rate of about 4% over the last decade
Recovery times for procedures in ASCs are typically shorter than hospital settings, averaging around 2 hours or less
The primary revenue for ASCs stems from outpatient surgical procedures, accounting for over 85% of their income
More than 60% of procedures performed in ASCs are reimbursed under Medicare or private insurance plans
ASCs reduce hospital outpatient department volume by about 15%, alleviating hospital congestion
Amputation surgeries and joint replacements are among the most common procedures performed in ASCs
The number of outpatient procedures in ASCs increased by approximately 10% from 2020 to 2022, reflecting resilience post-pandemic
The majority of ASC patients are aged 45-65 years, accounting for about 50% of procedures
The most common anesthesia method used in ASCs is local anesthesia, used in over 60% of procedures
The average turnover time between surgeries in ASCs is approximately 45 minutes, enabling high throughput
About 35% of ASC procedures are performed under local anesthesia, 25% under regional anesthesia, and 40% under general anesthesia
The industry is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5% through 2030 due to rising demand for outpatient procedures
The most common reason for outpatient procedures in ASCs is elective treatment, accounting for over 75%
ASCs typically operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., with some centers expanding hours to accommodate more procedures
The average anesthesia duration in ASCs is about 45 minutes per procedure, contributing to high patient turnover
The percentage of outpatient procedures performed in ASCs increased by approximately 12% from 2018 to 2022, indicating rapid adoption
The most common billing approach in ASCs is bundled payments, which are used in over 70% of procedures
The throughput of ASCs can reach up to 10-15 surgeries per day per operating room, depending on complexity
The most common anesthesia type in pediatric ASCs is sedation, used in over 50% of cases involving children
Over 85% of procedures performed in ASCs are outpatient, with a majority being same-day discharges
The most common outpatient surgeries in ASCs include cataract removal, endoscopy, arthroscopy, and hernia repair

Outpatient Procedures and Trends Interpretation

Ambulatory Surgery Centers, performing over a quarter of U.S. outpatient procedures with rapid turnover and a focus on elective, minimally invasive surgeries such as ophthalmology and orthopedics, are increasingly vital in reducing hospital burdens and exemplify a resilient, efficiently growing sector catering to a predominantly middle-aged patient population.

Patient Outcomes, Satisfaction, and Safety

Patient satisfaction rates in Ambulatory Surgery Centers are above 90%
ASCs have a complication rate of approximately 1-2% across various specialties
The adoption of minimally invasive surgical techniques in ASCs exceeds 80%, leading to quicker recovery and less pain
Ambulatory Surgery Centers have a lower infection rate (~0.5%) compared to hospitals (~1.2%)
The most common post-operative complication in ASCs is pain, occurring in approximately 4% of cases
In 2023, patient safety in ASCs is supported by strict accreditation standards from organizations like AAAASF and JCAHO
The leading complication types in ASCs are bleeding, infection, and anesthesia-related issues, each representing about 10-15% of adverse events
Approximately 95% of ASC staff are highly trained perioperative nurses and surgical technologists, ensuring high-quality patient care
Data indicates that procedures in ASCs tend to have fewer post-operative infections than hospital outpatient settings, emphasizing safety protocols

Patient Outcomes, Satisfaction, and Safety Interpretation

Ambulatory Surgery Centers boast over 90% patient satisfaction, remarkable safety with a 0.5% infection rate, and a thriving adoption of minimally invasive techniques—demonstrating that in the realm of outpatient care, efficiency, safety, and patient comfort are not mutually exclusive but mutually reinforcing, all under the vigilant eyes of rigorous accreditation standards.

Technological Advancements and Industry Growth

The use of 3D imaging and augmented reality tools in preoperative planning in ASCs is increasing, with over 60% adoption among certain specialties

Technological Advancements and Industry Growth Interpretation

As ASCs embrace cutting-edge technology, over 60% of specialties are now holographically mapping a smoother surgical journey—making 3D imaging and augmented reality the new surgeons’ secret weapons for precision and success.