October 16, 2025 | BOMA International, Ella Krygiel
Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) generated $45 billion in revenue in 2024, according to Healthcare Finance News, a figure projected to climb to $57 billion by 2030. These facilities are praised for their convenience, cost-efficiency and high-quality care.
During an interview with United Health Group, Marie Edler, Chief Growth Officer at SCA Health, one of the largest ASC networks, shared her thoughts on what sets ASCs apart: “An ASC is a licensed outpatient facility,” Edler explained. “Most patients walk in and walk out the same day. It’s designed for healthy patients who need a surgical episode — not for those who are acutely ill.” According to Edler, this is a game-changer for outpatient surgical care, as everything is about getting the patient in and out safely and comfortably.
John Slavens, Partner and Leader of Healthcare Design for Baker Barrios Architects – a national firm that has designed numerous ASCS as part of its healthcare practice – points to technological advancement as a key driver.
“With the growth in technology allowing for more minimally invasive procedures, there are more procedures that can be performed on an outpatient basis. This has spurred the growth of ASCs as they are a more cost-efficient,” Slavens explains.
Cla Connect concurs with this view as they expand on the factors driving ASC growth. As Edler pointed out, patients appreciate the convenience, comfort and ease of scheduling that ASCs offer. On the financial side, Cla Connect emphasizes that ASCs can help reduce consumers’ out-of-pocket spending. In general, these facilities cost less than hospitals — a significant advantage for budget-conscious patients.
Beyond cost savings, tech-driven innovations such as AI, surgical robots and electronic health records (EHRs) are technologies that healthcare leaders believe will set ASCs ahead of the curve. Becker’s ASC Review found that many experts believe that “AI will give facilities and providers more meaningful insights from operational and functional data faster,” said Tara Good-Young, CEO of PDI Surgery Center in Windsor, California. In addition to AI acting as an integral tool for data collection, entry and analysis, Neil Manug, Senior Director of Business Development at Orlando, FLreported to Becker’s that AI has the ability to support more precise surgical procedures.
“Advancements in artificial intelligence capabilities are increasing at lightning speed and, I believe, have the greatest potential for impacting ASCs in the coming years,” Manug said. “If you think about it, robotics are to the surgeon’s hands as AI is to the surgeon’s brain. Robotics brought enhanced precision and control for surgeons with less invasiveness for patients. AI has the opportunity to support surgeons even more with enhanced detection of positive surgical margins, procedural automations, training and education and more.”
AI is making waves in the healthcare world for its recent capabilities. Medtech Dive, for instance, recently reported how Horizon Surgical Systems used a robot-enabled system to perform its first cataract surgery. Los Angeles-based surgeon Uday Devgan performed the procedure, while the system, called Polaris, helped Devgan “experience a new level of control” during the procedure. “It has the potential to deliver more reliable outcomes for patients,” Devgan added.
Advancements in technology are not only increasing the speed and efficiency of procedures and ASC operations, but are also encouraging more modern facilities. With ASCs racing to keep pace with new technology needs and patient demands, their designs are adapting quickly too.
Slavens notes the evaluation: “With the growth of the type of outpatient procedures that can be performed, there has been increased need for different types of spaces such as cath labs and hybrid ORs. This also means architects and engineers must keep pace with this new technology and understand the various code requirements for the evolving spaces.”
Medcon Advisors describes the innovations becoming standard in these facilities, such as:
- Touchless systems:
- Sensor-activated doors, faucets and dispensers
- Voice-activated or foot-pedal controls in clinical areas
- Touchless registration and payment options
- Advanced air management:
- HVAC systems with MERV-16 or HEPA filtration
- Negative pressure rooms for isolation capabilities
- UV-C light integration in air handling systems for continuous disinfection
- Material selection:
- Copper and copper-alloy surfaces that naturally kill bacteria
- Non-porous solid surfaces without seams that harbor pathogens
- Fabrics with antimicrobial treatments for furniture and privacy curtains
Looking ahead, Slavens anticipates continued evolution in how ASCs integrate into the broader healthcare landscape:
“Over the past decade we have seen a stronger trend of combining an ASC an as anchor to a medical office building/outpatient center, and we expect that to continue. However, finding that 10,000-15,000 square feet of contiguous space may prove more of a challenge for healthcare systems looking for this type of combination. Generally, we expect the demand for ASCs to continue to grow and evolve, as technology enables more procedures that can be done in an outpatient setting.”
Despite space constraints, the outlook remains robust. As technology enables more procedures in outpatient settings, ASCs are positioned to play an increasingly central role in American healthcare delivery, offering patients the combination of convenience, quality and affordability that traditional hospital settings often struggle to match.
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