Procedures in the office setting.

摘要

The practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology has evolved tremendously in the past several decades to include an increasing emphasis on procedures performed in an office-based setting. Many procedures, once performed only in an operating room under anesthesia, are now routinely performed in the office. The reasons for this change are multifaceted. Patient convenience and satisfaction are important factors that have contributed to the shift to office procedures. Patients may feel more comfortable with the familiar surroundings of their doctor's office. Often parking, access, and the time commitment are more favorable in an office setting. From the provider perspective, performing the procedure in the office can be much less disruptive to the daily schedule as it eliminates the travel time between the hospital and the office and typically schedules in the office are more efficient than operating room schedules. For example, in the office setting other patients can be seen between cases, while in the OR this time is typically lost. Financial considerations also influence the shift to the office setting. The expenses associated with operating an inpatient facility are typically much greater than an office setting and the overall costs to the system for a procedure are often much higher in the operating room. It can be cost saving for the patient and payers to perform procedures in the office. Reimbursement to the provider may differ significantly between the office and inpatient or ambulatory surgery center.