Regulatory issues in office-based surgery and anesthesia

The continued rapid expansion of office-based surgery and anesthesia (OBS/OBA) makes it a new frontier of healthcare. Though its early years were somewhat marred by some negative publicity and bad outcomes, oversight and regulation by professional societies, governments, and private industry has now begun to catch up with OBS/OBA practice. Clinicians and administrators must stay abreast of these ever-changing/evolving regulations and guidelines in order to remain in compliance with them as well as to provide safe and satisfying patient care. This article summarizes the current regulatory environment in which OBS/OBA practices and practitioners must operate.