Sometimes a simple outpatient procedure can end months or years of pain, limited physical mobility, or reliance on medication.
Longview’s Pacific Surgical Center (PSC) is “the only ambulatory surgery center in the area that handles orthopedic, urologic, gastrointestinal, podiatric and general surgical procedures. At PSC, our mission is to provide exceptional surgical care…with greater convenience and a more affordable cost.”
The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association explains how they are changing the face of medicine; “Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are health care facilities that offer patients the convenience of having surgeries and procedures performed safely outside the hospital setting. Since their inception more than four decades ago, ASCs have demonstrated an exceptional ability to improve quality and customer service while simultaneously reducing costs.”
Because of their specialized nature, the Association reports that “patients say they have a 92% satisfaction rate with both the care and service they receive from ASCs. Safe and high-quality service, ease of scheduling, greater personal attention and lower costs are among the main reasons cited for the growing popularity of ASCs.”
This is especially true at Pacific Surgical Center where their commitment to transparent pricing means costs are clearly posted online and include fees for the facility, surgeon, and anesthesiologist. Also covered are your initial consultation and simple follow-up care.
To further simplify the process, Pacific Surgical Center’s team will assist you with all paperwork, forms, and payment details. Their skilled physicians, and cutting-edge equipment keep the process short and minimally invasive. Need lab work or a pre-surgical MRI? PSC hosts Interpath Lab and Pacific Imaging Center on-site to minimize scheduling times and frequent return visits.
According to their most recent statistics, Consumer Reports magazine documented that “of the estimated 35 million annual outpatient surgeries, about 15 million were done in ASCs.” This often “not only involves a shorter stay at a medical facility but also is usually less expensive than inpatient surgery…If you’re in good health, experts say, an ambulatory surgery center procedure may work for you.”
ASCs are not only reported as less expensive, they are often “potentially safer and cleaner. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that in 2010 approximately 8.95 in 1,000 patients developed a surgical site infection (SSI) in the hospital setting. However, only 4.84 in 1,000 patients who had surgery at an ASC developed an SSI requiring inpatient treatment within 30 days of surgery.”
Pacific Surgical Center specializes in orthopedics, urology, gastroenterology, podiatry, and general surgery options. General surgery can include lipoma tumor removal and skin biopsies, as well as “procedures related to the esophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts and thyroid glands.”
ASCs are also an ideal option for individuals without medical insurance or those with high-deductible—so-called ‘catastrophic’—coverage. Pacific Surgical Center’s financial counselors point out that often their final out-of-pocket cost is significantly lower than if traditionally billing and receiving insurance payouts. As they explain, “Procedures performed at PSC are traditionally 30 to 60 percent less expensive than similar procedures performed at hospitals.”
If you’re one of the 15% of Americans covered through Medicare, PSC can help. They are considered an in-network provider and adept at walking patients through the sometimes-lengthy paperwork. Whichever plan you have, PSC staff will make sure all your questions are answered and costs clearly explained beforehand.
Whether you’re from Alaska, Canada, or right here in the Pacific Northwest, don’t suffer through another season of discomfort. Do you have kids participating in school, intramural, or recreational sports? If bumps and bruises require more than RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) PSC also offers sports medicine treatments to keep them active all year long. Preventive care now can mean fewer aches and pains as your little athletes grow up.
Ralph Waldo Emerson is credited with saying “Knowledge is the antidote to fear.” Fear, especially when facing a medical unknown, can be almost as debilitating as the physical issue. But Pacific Surgical Center strives to reassure patients through posted lists of Frequently Asked Questions, explaining patients’ rights and responsibilities, and simplifying the billing and insurance process.
When you’re ready to take that first step, give PSC a call at 360-442-7900 or fill out the online form and they’ll call you. You can also request a specific specialist online or by calling 360-442-7913 and someone from PSC will arrange your upcoming visit.
