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‘‘Everyone is smiling at the Pine Grove ASC!’’ This was a comment received from a patient following her procedure during last month’s opening of the Pine Grove Ambulatory Surgery Center in Russell, Pa. The new $6 million facility is the result of collaborative efforts from local physician investors, Warren General Hospital and support received from Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell. ‘‘The financial commitment across the board allowed for a beautiful facility located close to Jamestown and Warren, state-of-the-art equipment and technology, and opens new choices for health care delivery for consumers, as well as the creation of new jobs,’’ said a spokesman. According to Physician’s News Digest, Pennsylvania experienced 16-percent growth in ASC development in 2006-2007, with a total of 235 free-standing ASC facilities across the state. Nationally, the numbers have grown substantially from 1,000 facilities in 1989 to over 3,000 in 2008. Although the trend in new ASC development may be slowing on a national basis, the trend toward outpatient care can be attributed to a variety of factors. Quality To become licensed as an Ambulatory Surgery Center in Pennsylvania, the facility undergoes a series of surveys conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and representatives from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for Medicare certification. The survey reviews policies and procedures surrounding administration and governance, patient care outcomes and quality reporting, safety standards and financial practices. In short, ASCs are required to meet the same standards and regulations that a hospital outpatient surgery department is required to meet. Having met all of the standards set by the Pennsylvania and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Pine Grove team will seek the next level of quality approval from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Car, a national organization representing standards focused specifically on ASC operations. Similar to a Joint Commission approval awarded to top hospitals, this accreditation sets the Pine Grove team apart from other facilities in their commitment to quality care. Comfort The addition of the Pine Grove ASC in the community affords patients greater choices in health care that did not previously exist. Patients are screened by the surgeon for appropriateness in a free-standing facility and benefit from the same care employed in a hospital, delivered in a relaxed atmosphere. A member of the nursing staff makes contact before the day of surgery to discuss the procedure, health information and any concerns expressed by the patient or family prior to arrival. Physicians refer patients for procedures which are low-risk, shorter in time duration, with minimal recovery time needed at the facility. The average time in the facility is approximately three hours, and family members are encouraged to wait in the spacious waiting area with complimentary beverages and snacks provided. Patients recently treated at Pine Grove remarked about how much interaction they had with physicians, nursing staff and auxiliary staff. ‘‘The nursing staff never left my side, and they answered all of my questions. It was a very personalized experience, not at all like an assembly line.’’ Convenience and Savings ASCs appeal to physicians because of the opportunity to tailor their schedule and staff mix for a specific specialty. For example, an ophthalmologist is allotted a block of time for his/her cases, allowing for a team of trained experts in ophthalmology to be on hand during those procedures. The flexibility with staffing ensures the right care in the right setting at the right time, with the proper expertise, optimizing efficiency. Health care in an ASC setting represents the growing number of procedures that can be safely performed in an outpatient arena; thereby allowing hospitals to focus on individuals who require more invasive treatment or greater lengths of stay as part of the overall care. The appeal of an ASC for patients is further defined through cost savings. An individual covered by traditional Medicare might pay as much as $496.00 in coinsurance for a cataract removal at a hospital, compared to $195.00 out of pocket in the ASC. In addition to the positive aspects of economic development, job creation and cost savings to patients, the overarching focus for the Pine Grove ASC is the ability to attract and retain top surgeons and physicians in northwestern Pennsylvania and southwestern New York. Pine Grove ASC provides outpatient surgical services in Ear, Nose and Throat, Orthopedic Surgery, General Surgery and Endoscopy, Podiatry and Pain Management. A list of surgeons and services can be obtained by calling the facility at (814) 757-5819. ‘‘We welcome the community and look forward to serving your needs in the near future,’’ said a spokesman.