Surgery does not always mean spending days in a hospital. Across the United States, more procedures are moving to outpatient settings, where patients can have surgery and return home the same day based on their procedure, overall health and care team’s evaluation.
That shift is expected to continue. Vizient’s 2026 Impact of Change forecast projects ambulatory surgery center (ASC) procedure volume to grow 24% over the next decade, with orthopedics among the specialties expected to drive that growth. Medicare policy is evolving as well. For 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) added hundreds of procedures to the list of surgeries that can be performed in ASCs, giving physicians greater flexibility to choose an outpatient setting when clinically appropriate.
Advances in surgical techniques, anesthesia, pain management and recovery protocols have expanded the types of procedures that can be performed without an overnight hospital stay. At the same time, patients and healthcare providers have more options when considering where surgery can take place.
At Oregon Surgical Institute (OSI), our team works with patients undergoing a range of outpatient procedures, including complex orthopedic surgeries such as total joint replacement. As outpatient care continues to evolve, understanding what is driving this shift can help patients better understand their surgical options.
A Safe Alternative to Hospital-Based Surgery
One of the biggest factors behind the growth of outpatient surgery is the ability to safely perform more procedures outside of a traditional hospital setting.
Ambulatory surgery centers are designed for patients whose procedures do not require an overnight hospital stay. Advances in surgical techniques, anesthesia and patient monitoring have allowed the range of procedures performed in these settings to continue expanding.
Determining the appropriate setting for surgery is an individualized decision. A surgeon and care team will consider factors such as the procedure, a patient’s overall health, medical history and anesthesia needs when developing a surgical plan. This evaluation helps determine when a procedure can be safely performed in an outpatient setting with recovery beginning at home.
Facilities have also evolved as outpatient procedures have become more complex. OSI was designed to accommodate procedures including total joint replacement, with larger operating rooms, wider hallways and dedicated recovery areas. Throughout the surgical experience, surgeons, anesthesiology professionals, nurses and other members of the care team work together to support each patient.
As outpatient care continues to advance, more patients have the opportunity to receive surgical care without an overnight hospital stay.
Lower Costs and Greater Efficiency
The shift toward outpatient surgery is also changing how surgical care is delivered.
Because ambulatory surgery centers focus on procedures that do not require hospital admission, they operate differently from hospitals that also support emergency departments, inpatient units and many other services.
This focused model can create a more streamlined experience for scheduled surgical care. Patients move from check-in through surgery and recovery in a setting built around same-day procedures, with the care team coordinating each stage of the visit.
Cost is another factor in the growth of outpatient surgery. For certain procedures, ambulatory surgery centers may offer lower facility costs and patient cost sharing compared with hospital outpatient departments. The actual cost of surgery varies based on the procedure, facility, insurance coverage and individual circumstances.
For patients, these differences provide another consideration when discussing the most appropriate setting for surgery with their healthcare team.
Recovering at Home Without a Hospital Stay
For many patients, one of the most noticeable differences between outpatient and inpatient surgery happens after the procedure.
Following outpatient surgery, patients are discharged once their clinical team determines they have met the appropriate recovery criteria. They can then begin the next stage of recovery in familiar surroundings at home.
The ability to return home the same day has become possible in part because of improvements throughout the surgical process. Advances in anesthesia and pain management, surgical techniques, patient education and recovery planning can all help patients transition safely from the surgery center to home.
Going home sooner does not mean recovering without support. Patients receive discharge instructions based on their procedure and may have follow-up care, physical therapy or help from a caregiver as part of their recovery plan.
At OSI, the team reviews recovery instructions with patients and caregivers before discharge and answers questions about what to expect at home. The goal is to make sure patients have the information they need as they move into the next stage of recovery.
Why More Procedures Are Moving to Outpatient Settings
The growth of outpatient surgery reflects how much surgical care has changed.
Advances in surgical techniques, anesthesia, pain management and recovery planning have made same-day surgery possible for procedures that once routinely involved a hospital stay. As these areas continue to develop, surgeons and patients have more options when determining where surgical care can take place.
The decision to have surgery in an outpatient setting is based on an individual evaluation of the procedure, a patient’s overall health, medical history and other clinical considerations. Your surgeon and care team can review these factors with you and determine the most appropriate setting for your care.
When outpatient surgery is recommended, patients can have their procedure, begin recovery under clinical supervision and return home without an overnight hospital stay.
At OSI, our team supports patients throughout that process, from preparation through surgery and the transition home. If you are considering surgery, talk with your surgeon about your surgical options and whether outpatient care may be recommended based on your individual needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Outpatient Surgery
What is outpatient surgery?
Outpatient surgery is a procedure that does not require admission to a hospital for an overnight stay. Patients typically arrive on the day of their procedure, recover under clinical supervision and return home once they meet the appropriate discharge criteria.
Is outpatient surgery less expensive than hospital-based surgery?
For some procedures, receiving care at an ambulatory surgery center may result in lower facility costs and patient cost sharing compared with a hospital outpatient department. Actual costs vary based on the procedure, facility and insurance coverage, so patients should check with their insurance provider for information specific to their coverage.
What types of surgery can be performed in an outpatient setting?
The range of outpatient procedures has expanded as surgical techniques, anesthesia and recovery protocols have advanced. Depending on the procedure and a patient’s individual care needs, outpatient surgery can include orthopedic, spine and other surgical specialties, including some total joint replacements. Your surgeon and care team can determine the appropriate surgical setting based on your individual needs.
Interested in learning more about OSI’s outpatient joint replacement? Get in touch, and we’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.
