CHOOSE SITE
Sun Oct 182:00 PM – 3:00 PM

E28 – Ambulatory Surgery Centers in Transition: Aligning Market Forces, Design, and Health System Identity

Educational SessionProject Planning & Delivery

This presentation explores how evolving healthcare delivery trends—driven by technological advancement, regulatory shifts, and value-based care models—are reshaping the role of ASCs and influencing architectural responses. The migration of complex procedures from hospitals to ASCs, supported by robotics, minimally invasive techniques, advanced imaging, and telehealth, is redefining spatial requirements, adjacencies, and flexibility expectations.

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are increasingly challenged to accommodate higher-acuity procedures while maintaining efficiency, safety, and alignment with larger hospital and health system identities. As ASCs expand or adapt to support advanced outpatient care, designers are often tasked with integrating new clinical capacity into active facilities that must function seamlessly within broader system networks.

Through a design-focused lens, the session examines planning strategies that support high-acuity outpatient care while reinforcing operational efficiency, staff workflows, and patient experience. A secondary focus addresses how building design can strengthen exterior identity and brand alignment as ASCs evolve alongside larger health systems. Attendees will gain insights into best practices and future directions for aligning market forces, architectural planning, and brand expression to support the next generation of ASC facilities.

Speakers

Matthew Suarez
Matthew SuarezHealth Planning Principal, HDR, Inc.
Michelle McNutt
Michelle McNuttHealth Principal, HDR, Inc
John Rios
John RiosSenior Designer, HDR, Inc.
Steve Tripp
Steve TrippPresident, ECU Health SurgiCenter

More Information

Additional Comments:Co-presented with East Carolina University Health, this session draws on shared experience expanding a high-volume East Coast ASC from 10 to 18 ORs, offering scalable, real-world planning and design insights for architects and planners.
AIA Forums Track:Yes
Allow Registration:No
Capacity Unlimited:No
Clinical Track:Yes