The increase in outpatient facilities is an ongoing transformation in healthcare, driven by a variety of factors that make outpatient care more appealing to patients and physicians. Patients have sought out these locations for their accessibility, while physicians can optimize their practice in an outpatient setting. Technological advances also aid outpatient locations to create a more modern and efficient practice for their patients.

 

Rise of Ambulatory Surgery Centers

The ambulatory surgery center (ASC) market is experiencing significant growth and transformation. ASC locations provide same-day surgical care, offering a cost-effective alternative to hospital-based procedures with reduced infection rates and quicker patient recovery. Patients have begun seeking out ASCs for their shorter wait times and personalized care, as well as the addition of several medical procedures.

 

As these locations are growing, institutions like the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are increasing the procedures that can be performed in ASCs. One segment that has seen the most growth is orthopedics. Knee and hip replacements have widely transitioned to ASCs, due to advancements in minimally invasive techniques and anesthesia. As such, knee replacements that occurred in an outpatient location increased by 293% from 2019 to 2023.

 

One of the most notable ASCs is the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center in San Antonio, Texas. This property is the Defense Department’s largest outpatient location, offering dental services, primary care, and surgical care. Wilford Hall emphasizes the growing importance of ASCs as it provides premier healthcare to military members.

 

Specialty Clinics in Community Settings

Specialty clinics are expanding in community settings in order to approve the accessibility, affordability, and coordination of specialized care. The move for this integration comes as patients opt to receive care closer to their homes, as well as the reduction in costs. Specialty clinics in communities often offer more cost-effective care than a hospital, which further entices patients to these locations.

 

An example of a specialty clinic integrated into a community setting is HonorHealth’s Desert Mountain Medical Plaza in Scottsdale, Arizona. The facility is located directly in a residential community, which creates easy access for residents. The medical plaza is home to primary and urgent care, physical therapy, laboratory services, and specialty physician care. Patients are able to see their primary doctor and receive specialty care in one building, simplifying the patient’s experience.

 

Urgent Care Developments

Urgent care centers drive the expansion of outpatient care by providing a middle ground between primary care and hospital emergency rooms. Patients are increasingly drawn to urgent care locations as they can walk in and receive care without appointments, as well as lower costs. Urgent cares are also able to provide minor procedures, such as sutures or lab tests, which allows for quicker care and reduces hospital visits.

 

In January, Aspire Rural Health System began an initiative to expand its urgent care practice in Bad Axe, Michigan. Its services are now increasing to provide walk-in care for minor injuries, blood testing, and x-rays. The move is significant as healthcare is limited in rural locations, and patients will now have non-emergency care resources near them.

 

Telehealth Services in Outpatient Facilities

Due to the uptick in telehealth utilization during the pandemic, patients are now accepting, and in many cases prefer, conducting consultations and follow-up appointments online. Telehealth is increasingly beneficial for patients with limited mobility as it eliminates the need to travel to in-person appointments, and it is also convenient for patients who live in rural areas that don’t have healthcare near them.

 

For physicians and providers, telehealth can reduce costs that occur in a physical clinic, such as utilities. Digital healthcare also allows for ease in scheduling, as well as billing processes, which increases providers’ productivity. Another advantage of telehealth is remote patient monitoring. This access allows for data collection and intervention for patients with complex needs.

 

Expansion of Diagnostic Imaging Centers

The increase of diagnostic imaging centers in outpatient care is driven by technological advancements and change in consumer preferences. The move for these centers to outpatient care provides shorter wait times and a more comfortable environment for patients. Outpatient facilities stand out as a favorable outlet for diagnostic imaging as 40% of all imaging procedures are now performed in freestanding imaging centers and community clinics.

 

New innovation in imaging technology leads to clearer images and faster scan times, allowing for more precise diagnoses. Lower radiation is now possible in CT scans as the latest technology enables high-quality images with lower radiation exposure. Additionally, the adoption of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems facilitated teleradiology. This allows radiologists to interpret images remotely and provide expertise to outpatient centers.

 

Healthcare Access in Retail

Healthcare providers are partnering with retail chains to establish clinics within stores, offering patients convenient access to medical services during routine shopping. Clinics inside of stores operate on a walk-in basis and offer services like preventive care, women’s health, and care for minor illnesses or injuries. The addition of clinics to stores also aids retailers by drawing more people in, and it is also beneficial to providers as they extend their healthcare reach to new patients.

 

A prominent tenant that features a clinic in its stores is CVS Health. It created MinuteClinics in some of its stores that treat minor illnesses and provide vaccinations. There are over 1,000 MinuteClinic locations nationally, and some are also located in Target stores.

 

Key Takeaways

Outpatient care is rapidly expanding across the U.S., driven by patient demand for accessibility, cost-efficiency, and convenience. ASCs are leading this growth by offering same-day surgical procedures with faster recovery times and lower infection rates—particularly in high-growth specialties like orthopedics. Specialty clinics are increasingly located in residential communities to improve access and reduce costs, while urgent care centers are filling gaps between primary care and emergency rooms, especially in rural areas. Telehealth has gained traction post-pandemic, offering remote consultations and monitoring that benefit both patients and providers. Diagnostic imaging centers are also shifting to outpatient settings, enabled by technological advancements that improve image quality and reduce radiation exposure. Additionally, health care providers are integrating services into retail spaces, like CVS’ MinuteClinics, to enhance convenience and broaden patient reach.