OUTPATIENT SURGERY ON THE INCREASE AT 2 VALLEY HOSPITALS

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 7, 1993                   TAG: 9303050165
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: F-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CAROLYN CLICK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
OUTPATIENT SURGERY ON THE INCREASE AT 2 VALLEY HOSPITALS
Five years ago, ambulatory surgery - in which a patient comes in and is discharged the same day - accounted for 40 percent of patient operations at Roanoke Memorial Hospitals. In 1993, that has risen to 46.5 percent.
But Houston Bell, president of the hospital, says the figure is slightly deceiving because so much outpatient surgery has been consolidated at Community Hospital of Roanoke Valley, which also is part of Carilion Health System.
"We would reflect a greater increase in ambulatory surgery if such a large number of ambulatory patients hasn't been consolidated at Community," Bell said.
The percentage of patients who come in for surgery and then are admitted for several days recuperation remains at 16 percent, he said.
Bell said the push to hold down medical costs nationwide, as well as dramatic improvements in technology in areas such as opthalmology, has driven hospitals to improve outpatient surgeries.
"I think there has been a negligible impact on quality," he said.
Community Hospital also has seen a surge in outpatient surgery.
"I would definitely say we have seen an increase," said Brenda Williams, director of surgical services. ". . . I think we have all looked at procedures that can be done on an outpatient basis. It's more cost-effective for the patient."
Williams said strides in technology also have made it more feasible to get patients in and out of the hospital without overnight stays.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB