Outpatient or Hospital Surgery? How to Choose the Best Option

Hospital or outpatient? It’s a question more patients in North Carolina are asking as they prepare for procedures. Both settings are safe, regulated, and staffed by skilled surgical teams—but the experience, cost, and recovery can look very different depending on where your surgery takes place.

At Prime Surgical Suites in Granite Falls, NC, we specialize in outpatient procedures performed in a modern ambulatory surgery center. Understanding how outpatient surgery compares to hospital-based care can help you and your physician decide which path is best.

What Is Outpatient Surgery?

Outpatient, or same-day, surgery is performed in licensed facilities called Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs). These centers allow patients to have surgery and return home on the same day, without the need for an overnight hospital stay.

Common outpatient specialties include:

• Orthopedic surgeries such as arthroscopies or joint procedures
• Gastrointestinal (GI) procedures like endoscopies and colonoscopies
• Minimally invasive interventions that don’t require extended monitoring

At Prime Surgical Suites, patients can only be seen through physician referral. This ensures every case is evaluated carefully for safety and suitability.

Explore the types of outpatient procedures offered at Prime Surgical Suites.

For more background, learn how outpatient surgery works and when it’s recommended from Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Advantages of Outpatient Surgery

For the right patients, outpatient surgery offers several advantages:

• Same-day discharge: Most patients return home within hours of their procedure.
• Lower costs: Care in an ASC is typically less expensive than hospital-based surgery.
• Reduced infection risk: With smaller facilities and fewer seriously ill patients, exposure to infection is lower.
• Personalized care: ASCs offer a focused, patient-friendly environment designed for comfort and efficiency.

For many, the biggest advantage is simply being able to recover at home. Instead of waking up in a busy hospital ward, patients return to their own bed, surrounded by family and in familiar surroundings. That peace of mind often makes the healing process less stressful.

Every detail of our Granite Falls center is built around patient safety and convenience. See how our Granite Falls surgery center is designed for patient comfort and safety.

When Hospital Surgery May Be the Better Option

Outpatient surgery isn’t the right fit for everyone. Some patients require the advanced resources of a hospital setting, particularly when:

• Overnight monitoring or intensive care is expected.
• The procedure is complex and carries a higher risk of complications.
• The patient has unstable or multiple chronic health conditions.

While ASCs provide safe care, hospitals remain essential for high-risk or lengthy surgeries that demand extensive support. The key is working closely with your physician to weigh risk factors and choose the safest setting.

Comparing Outpatient vs. Hospital Surgery

Here’s how the two settings compare at a glance:

For more details on how anesthesia and other safety factors are evaluated, the American Society of Anesthesiologists provides guidance on outpatient surgery.

FAQs: Choosing Between Outpatient and Hospital Surgery

Who decides if I’m eligible for outpatient surgery?

Your physician and surgical team determine whether outpatient care is safe and appropriate for your procedure.

Can I request outpatient surgery directly?

No. At Prime Surgical Suites, patients are accepted only through physician referrals to ensure proper screening.

Is outpatient surgery as safe as hospital surgery?

Yes—for eligible patients. Both ASCs and hospitals follow strict accreditation and safety standards.

The Right Setting for the Right Patient

There’s no “one best option” when it comes to outpatient surgery in NC versus hospital surgery. Instead, the right choice depends on your health, the type of procedure, and your doctor’s recommendation.

Outpatient centers like Prime Surgical Suites in Granite Falls provide comfort, safety, and faster recovery for many patients, while hospitals remain essential for complex or high-risk cases.

If you’re preparing for surgery, the best step is to talk with your physician about your eligibility for outpatient care. Taking the time to understand both options gives you confidence, helps you plan for recovery, and ensures that your procedure happens in the safest possible setting.

Contact Prime Surgical Suites with questions, or speak with your doctor about whether a referral to our Granite Falls facility is the right choice for you.