New surgery center at St. George hospital aims to make surgeries less of a back-breaker

Inside the Intermountain Surgery Center at St. George Regional Hospital, St. George, Utah, Sept. 17, 2022 | Photo courtesy of St. George Regional Hospital, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — When it comes to surgeries like those for the hips and knees, as well as the bladder and kidneys, thin gs are going to be a little different now at St. George Regional Hospital.

Residents and hospital workers cut the ribbon to open the Intermountain Surgery Center at St. George Regional Hospital, St. George, Utah, Sept. 17, 2022 | Photo courtesy of St. George Regional Hospital, St. George News

Over the weekend, the hospital opened what it calls a state-of-the-art, first-of-its-kind in Southern Utah ambulatory surgery center specifically for orthopedic and urology surgeries.

The concept is four specialized operating rooms that will offer same-day urology and orthopedic surgeries in a setting different than the traditional hospital setting. And rather than living off hospital food for a few days, patients will return home shortly after surgery, where they can continue their recovery.

“I’m excited to work in a facility that will be streamlined with the latest technology and designed for specific surgeries,” said Dr. Jordan Ash, anesthesiologist and medical director for the center, to be known as the Intermountain Surgery Center. “This will also help lower the cost for some of our most common orthopedic surgeries.”

Ambulatory surgery centers, otherwise known as ASCs, specialize in a specific set of procedures, allowing for greater efficiencies that lower cost while providing high-quality outcomes. For many patients, cost is their biggest worry — even when they have insurance.

“We know the cost of care is high and this new facility will be a major step in making it more affordable,” said Dr. Zachary Leitze. “This facility can potentially reduce the cost of surgery by 20% to 50% for common orthopedic procedures.”

Intermountain Healthcare is adding ASCs across their system. Similar facilities have been developed or are under development in Murray, Logan, Park City, Provo, Saratoga Springs and Ogden, and several more are planned.

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