AI Research Lags Behind Growth of Ambulatory Surgery Centers

Surgeons need to address a significant gap in AI research affecting patient care in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs).

• Over 60% of elective surgeries occur in ASCs, yet fewer than 10 studies focus on AI in these settings compared to over 500 in hospitals.
• Existing ASC research primarily targets workflow optimization, with no focus on intraoperative AI applications.

More robust ASC-specific research is critical to ensure that AI tools validated in hospitals are effectively utilized in the ASC environment.

• The unique operational characteristics of ASCs offer a prime opportunity for rigorous AI validation that can directly impact surgical outcomes.