Building Better Day Surgery Centres

Building Better Day Surgery Centres: Design Tips for Maximum Impact

The Rise of Day Surgery Centres

“Healthcare is evolving, and so are the spaces where care is delivered. Ambulatory Surgery Centres or day surgery centres are a testament to how thoughtful design can enhance efficiency and patient experience,”

Kshititi Nagarkar, Principal Architect at Shree Designs.

With more than 80% of surgeries now performed in outpatient settings, the demand for Ambulatory Surgery Centres (ASCs) continues to soar. Their cost-efficiency, convenience, and faster recovery times make them a preferred choice for both patients and providers.

ASCs are not only affordable but also designed for speed and comfort.

Smaller, less crowded environments ensure personalized care, while streamlined operations reduce costs and improve patient satisfaction. Between 2012 and 2022, the number of ASCs grew by 32%, with revenue increasing by 42%, highlighting their pivotal role in modern healthcare.

Well-planned design goes beyond aesthetics in ASCs—it optimizes workflows, accelerates turnaround times, and creates an environment that prioritizes patient and staff well-being.

What Makes Ambulatory Surgery Unique?

Ambulatory Surgery Centres (ASCs) operate differently from traditional hospitals, focusing on efficiency and specialization. Unlike hospitals, where patients may stay for extended periods, ASCs handle a higher patient volume in significantly shorter timeframes. This fast-paced environment requires meticulous planning to manage patient flow, ensuring seamless transitions from check-in to discharge.

The specialized nature of procedures performed in ASCs also calls for tailored layouts that accommodate specific surgical workflows while maximizing space efficiency. For instance, operating rooms must be designed for quick turnovers, and recovery areas need to support a high throughput without compromising patient comfort.

Every design decision in an ASC—from the placement of pre-op and post-op areas to streamlined pathways for staff and patients—is driven by the need to maintain speed, precision, and a positive patient experience.

Design Principles for Optimising Day Surgery Centres

To ensure efficiency, patient satisfaction, and profitability in ambulatory surgery centres (ASC), the following healthcare architecture and hospital design principles are essential:

1. Streamlined Patient Flow

The foundation of any efficient ASC is a layout that supports smooth patient transitions, without bottle necks. Separate entrances for incoming and outgoing patients can prevent cross-traffic, reducing delays and confusion.

Dedicated hallways for staff movement ensure operational flow remains uninterrupted, even during peak hours. A linear arrangement—from reception to pre-op, operating rooms, recovery, and discharge—optimizes patient flow and minimizes unnecessary backtracking.

2. Centralized and Shared Resources

Centralized resource stations, such as shared supply rooms near operating theatres, eliminate time-consuming trips to retrieve materials. Similarly, nurse stations strategically positioned to oversee multiple rooms improve workflow efficiency and patient monitoring. These smart placements not only reduce walking distances but also enable faster responses in critical moments, ultimately enhancing overall operations.

3. Flexibility and Scalability

Ambulatory Surgery Centres must be prepared to evolve with advancements in medical technology and fluctuating patient needs. Modular operating rooms that accommodate different surgical specialties allow facilities to remain versatile. Recovery areas designed with convertible partitions provide flexibility to handle individual or group care scenarios, adjusting to patient volume and staffing requirements seamlessly.

4. Patient-Centric Comfort

While ASCs emphasize speed and efficiency, patient comfort should not be overlooked. Thoughtful design elements such as recovery rooms with reclining chairs foster faster healing. Family-friendly waiting areas equipped with refreshments, comfortable seating, and charging stations enhance the overall patient and family experience, reducing stress during what can be an anxious time.

5. Technology Integration

Technology plays a crucial role in optimising ASC operations. Real-time patient tracking systems provide visibility into each patient’s journey, ensuring smooth handoffs between pre-op, surgery, and recovery. Integrated surgical equipment not only reduces setup time but also ensures faster pre-op and post-op processes. This technological edge enables ASCs to maintain high efficiency while delivering excellent care.

Designing the Future of Day Surgery

Efficiency and comfort go hand-in-hand. Ambulatory Surgery Centres are the future of healthcare, combining speed, precision, and patient-focused care. The right layout can minimise delays, maximise resource use, and foster an environment that prioritizes healing and collaboration.

As demand for outpatient surgeries continues to grow, now is the time to rethink your facility’s design.

Together, let’s design spaces where efficiency meets care.