Project officials say contractors are expected to break ground by the first week of June and complete the center by late February of 2002. The development of the surgery center involves a joint venture between Methodist and a number of physicians who primarily do their work in outpatient settings, according to hospital system officials.
Hospitals have layers and layers of departments.
Unlike traditional hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers treat patients undergoing surgical procedures not requiring hospital admissions and overnight stays. Patients who elect to have their procedures performed in this type of facility undergo surgery in an operating room and recover under the care of a nursing staff before leaving on the same day. Geoff Crabtree, who is Methodist's vice president of strategic planning and market services, says the development of the surgery center came as a natural evolution for the health care system. Our doctors prefer them. He adds that physicians had asked Methodist about its future plans in the Stone Oak area.