Regardless of what your health is like today, chances are at some point you will need to go to a multispecialty surgery center or another healthcare provider for medical procedure.

If you don’t know a lot about multispecialty surgery centers, it’s wise to know about what they offer before you need their services. There are many benefits to being treated in one of these independent facilities as compared to a hospital, such as:

• Ability to go home the same day as the surgery—no need for an overnight hospital stay
• Easy scheduling and access for patients and families
• Reduced costs—patients may much less than they would for the same procedure in a hospital
• Reduced risk of infections as compared to hospitals

Here are some of the most common outpatient procedures performed at multispecialty surgery centers:

1. Carpal Tunnel Surgery: Carpal tunnel release is a type of surgery used to treat to carpal tunnel syndrome. During the procedure a ligament is cut to take pressure off the nerve causing the pain.

2. Cataract Surgery: If a person experiences vision loss due to the lens of their eye becoming cloudy, cataract surgery may be recommended. During cataract surgery, an eye doctor removes the damaged lens and replaces it with an artificial one.

3. Colonoscopy: During a colonoscopy a flexible device with a camera is inserted into the rectum, and the doctor uses it to find growths called polyps. Sometimes, they can be removed at the same time that they are detected.

4. Cystoscopy: If someone is having bladder issues, a doctor may use a cystoscope, which is a thin tube with a camera and light on the end. This device is inserted into the urethra, then water is administered through it. This stretches the bladder, so the doctor can better see the area.

5. Hysteroscopy: If a woman is having unusual vaginal bleeding, has had several miscarriages or has another gynecologic problem, a gynecologist may schedule a hysteroscopy. This procedure uses a hysteroscope which is a thin, lighted device that is inserted through the vagina and into the cervix so the doctor can view the uterus.

6. Incision Procedures on the Middle Ear: Sometimes a doctor can relieve a patient’s ear pain by making a tiny incision in the eardrum. This procedure, called a myringotomy, relieves pressure caused by fluid build-up.

7. Knee Arthroscopy: If a patient has a knee problem like an ACL tear or cartilage problems, the doctor may use knee arthroscopy to treat it. An arthroscope is a surgical tool with a tiny camera. The doctor makes tiny incisions and inserts this device and surgical tools in the damaged area to further diagnose it or treat it.

8. Paravertebral Facet Joint Block and Facet Joint Denervation: If spinal facet joints are injured or become arthritic, facet joint denervation may be used. It is a procedure where a heated needle is inserted to damage the nerve, which also kills the pain. A steroid also be injected into the area, too, which can block the pain.

9. Shoulder Arthroscopy: Sometimes shoulder arthroscopy will be used to treat the shoulder issue such as a rotator cuff tear. This procedure uses a surgical tool with a tiny camera called an arthroscope. The arthroscope can be inserted into an incision in the shoulder, allowing a doctor to view and treat the area.

10. Upper GI Endoscopy: If a person has a problematic stomach ache, vomiting or heartburn a doctor may recommend an upper GI endoscopy. This is a procedure that uses a device called an endoscope, which is a flexible thin tube with a camera. The doctor can use it to view the inside of the food pipe (esophagus), the stomach and the first part of the small intestine.