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Ambulatory Care Centers

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - I don't know if you have noticed but there has been tremendous growth in ambulatory care centers over the past several years. Many of the surgical procedures once reserved for only the hospital setting can now be done in these centers.

This is a good news bad news scenario.

The good news is that there is increased access for procedures and many of these centers are very convenient but many of the rules and credential issues that are used to choose hospital staffs are not in place at ambulatory care centers.

This does not mean that they are not safe but it does mean that you should do your homework and get second opinions or talk to other patients.

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