DECATUR AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER is a Medicare-certified ambulatory surgery center located in DECATUR, AL, offering same-day outpatient surgical procedures. Google rating: 4.1 out of 5 from 17 reviews.

DECATUR AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER

decatur, ALMedicare Certified

Location & Directions

Address

2828 US HWY 31

DECATUR, AL

Service Area

This provider serves patients in DECATUR and surrounding areas in AL.

Contact this surgery center for service area details

Note on Service Area

This ambulatory surgery center serves patients in the surrounding area. Contact this surgery center directly to confirm service availability in your specific location.

Procedures Performed

Common outpatient procedures performed at this ambulatory surgery center, based on reported specialties.

Cataract SurgeryThe clouded natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced with a clear artificial one. It is one of the most common outpatient procedures performed in the country, usually takes under 30 minutes per eye, and is done under light sedation with numbing drops rather than general anesthesia.LASIK / Refractive SurgeryA laser reshapes the cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, reducing dependence on glasses or contacts. The procedure itself takes minutes per eye. Vision is often noticeably better within a day, though it can take several weeks to fully stabilize.Glaucoma SurgeryCreates a new drainage path for fluid inside the eye to lower internal pressure. Glaucoma damages the optic nerve silently, so the goal is preventing further vision loss rather than restoring vision already lost. Several minimally invasive options are now performed in outpatient settings.Retinal SurgeryRepairs the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, most often for a detached or torn retina, or for bleeding related to diabetes. Timing matters โ€” a detaching retina is treated urgently because delay increases the risk of permanent vision loss.Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)Removes excess skin and fat from the upper or lower eyelids. When drooping upper lids block part of the visual field, the procedure is functional rather than cosmetic and is often covered by insurance if visual field testing documents the obstruction.Corneal TransplantReplaces damaged or clouded corneal tissue with donor tissue. Modern techniques often replace only the affected layer rather than the full thickness, which shortens recovery. Vision improves gradually over months, and stitches may stay in place for a year or longer.
Epidural Steroid InjectionsSteroid medication is injected near irritated spinal nerve roots to calm inflammation causing sciatica or arm pain. Often used to make physical therapy tolerable rather than as a standalone cure. There are limits on how frequently they can be repeated.Nerve Block InjectionsAnesthetic, sometimes with steroid, is injected around a specific nerve to interrupt pain signals. Used both to treat pain and to identify its source, since relief from a precisely placed block points to the nerve responsible.Radiofrequency AblationHeat generated by radio waves disables the small nerves carrying pain signals from an arthritic spinal joint. Relief commonly lasts six months to two years. Because the nerves regenerate over time, the procedure can be repeated.Spinal Cord StimulationA device delivers mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord to interrupt chronic pain signals before they reach the brain. A temporary trial period is done first, so you can judge the benefit before committing to a permanent implant.Joint InjectionsSteroid or lubricating medication is injected directly into an arthritic or inflamed joint. Image guidance is often used to confirm placement. Relief typically lasts weeks to months and can make physical therapy more productive.Trigger Point InjectionsA local anesthetic is injected into a taut, tender knot of muscle to break the spasm-and-pain cycle. The appointment takes minutes and you can usually return to normal activity the same day.
ColonoscopyA flexible camera examines the full length of the colon to screen for cancer and remove polyps before they become cancerous. Done under sedation, it typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. The bowel prep the day before is the part most patients find hardest.Upper Endoscopy (EGD)A thin camera passed through the mouth examines the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine. Used to investigate persistent heartburn, difficulty swallowing, unexplained bleeding, or abdominal pain. Usually takes 15 to 30 minutes under sedation.Flexible SigmoidoscopyExamines the lower portion of the colon only, rather than its full length. Preparation is lighter than a full colonoscopy and sedation is sometimes unnecessary, but it cannot detect problems higher in the colon.Capsule EndoscopyYou swallow a vitamin-sized camera that photographs the small intestine as it passes through โ€” a region that standard scopes cannot easily reach. There is no sedation and no recovery. The capsule passes naturally, and images are reviewed after the fact.ERCPCombines endoscopy and X-ray imaging to diagnose and treat blockages in the bile and pancreatic ducts, most often gallstones stuck in a duct. Unlike a routine endoscopy, it carries a meaningful risk of pancreatitis afterward, so it is used when treatment is likely rather than for screening alone.Hemorrhoid TreatmentShrinks or removes swollen veins in the rectum and anus using rubber band ligation, injection, or surgical removal depending on severity. Banding is quick and typically requires no anesthesia; surgical removal is more effective for advanced cases but recovery is noticeably more uncomfortable.
Bunion Correction (Bunionectomy)The bony prominence at the base of the big toe is removed and the bone realigned, often with screws or plates. Recovery involves weeks in a protective shoe or boot, and swelling can persist for several months.Hammertoe CorrectionA toe permanently bent at the middle joint is straightened, sometimes with a temporary pin holding the correction. Considered when the toe rubs painfully in shoes or has developed calluses and sores.Plantar Fascia ReleaseThe tight band of tissue along the bottom of the foot is partially released to relieve stubborn heel pain. Reserved for cases that have not improved after months of stretching, orthotics, and other conservative treatment.Ankle ArthroscopyA small camera and instruments treat problems inside the ankle joint โ€” impingement, loose fragments, or damaged cartilage โ€” through incisions a few millimeters wide, avoiding a larger open exposure.Ingrown Toenail RemovalThe edge of a nail growing into the surrounding skin is removed under local anesthesia. When the problem keeps recurring, the nail-forming tissue at that edge is also treated so it does not grow back.Foot Fracture RepairBroken bones in the foot are realigned and stabilized with hardware so they heal in position. Because the foot bears your full weight with every step, alignment matters more here than the small bone size suggests.

Procedure list is based on CMS-reported specialty designations. Contact the facility to confirm specific procedures offered.

Patient Experience Scores

Overall: 92/100 (-1 vs natl avg 93)

Based on 112 surveys ยท 20% response rate

OAS CAHPS scores are linear means (0โ€“100) from Medicare patient surveys. Higher is better. National averages shown for comparison.

Overall RatingPatients who gave the facility a high overall rating
92-1 vs national avg (93)
0โ†‘ natl avg100
Would RecommendPatients who would definitely recommend this facility
88-4 vs national avg (92)
0โ†‘ natl avg100
StaffPatients who rated staff care and professionalism highly
97+1 vs national avg (96)
0โ†‘ natl avg100
CommunicationPatients who felt staff communicated well about their care
91-3 vs national avg (94)
0โ†‘ natl avg100
Source: OAS CAHPS (Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery CAHPS) Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Scores are linear means on a 0โ€“100 scale.

Safety Metrics

Safe Surgery Checklist: 96.4% (natl avg ~97%)

Safe Surgery Checklist

% of surgical patients for whom a safe surgery checklist was used (ASC-9). Higher is better.

96.4%

natl avg ~97%

Hospital Transfer Rate

% of patients transferred to a hospital during or after their procedure (ASC-4). Lower is better.

0.04%

natl avg ~1.0%

Patient Fall Rate

% of patients who experienced a fall resulting in injury. Lower is better.

0.00%

natl avg ~0.1%

Patient Burn Rate

% of patients who experienced a burn during their procedure. Lower is better.

0.00%

natl avg ~0.03%

Wrong Site Surgery Rate

% of cases involving wrong-site, wrong-side, wrong-patient, or wrong-implant surgical events. Lower is better.

0.00%

natl avg ~0.01%

Source: CMS ASC Quality Reporting Program. Data reflects Medicare patient outcomes reported by the facility.

Google Reviews

4.1
17 reviews
Dana Jones

Dana Jones

I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy completed 10/28/2024. Billing Issues - This facility would not complete my procedures unless I paid the copays in advance even after I advised that I had met my deductibles etc. However, now that my insurance has covered all of the expenses and provided claims that show I owed no copays, they are advising me that it will take 12 weeks to process my refund, even though I have let them know l be penalized since I used a flexible spending account to pay if the refund is not completed prior to the end of the year. The young lady answering the phone was short and rude and cut me off mid-sentence and stated ma'am that is our policy. Advised I could call back in 4 weeks. When I requested to speak to a billing manager, I was quickly advised that she was away from her desk and that she could only take a message. She refused to allow me to leave a message on voicemail. Care Issues - I was also stuck 4 times leaving huge bruises in all 4 locations trying to place an IV by two nurses yet the anethesiologist was able to hit the vein 1st attempt without issues. I will never use this place again. They only care about their money and do not care about their patients. UPDATE: Since posting the review- They have called and left a voicemail that it was refunded and should be back on my card with in 10 days. I will update the review again once the refund has been processed.

Verified Google review
Heather Johnson

Heather Johnson

Had a good experience here for a procedure I needed. The nurses in the back were awesome and so caring and understanding. They made any anxiety go away. During and after the procedure the nurses were very caring and made sure I was comfortable. A side note I bruise so so easily and especially of having blood work or an IV, the nurse who did my IV this time left no bruise whatsoever. That is a plus, I actually am afraid of needles and when she started the IV I didn't feel it. Great experience and I know next time not to be anxious because I'll definitely be in good hands. If you have to have any procedure done I do recommend if close to the center to go ahead of time for pre op paperwork. It makes it so much quicker. The day of you will have a couple of sheets to sign and fill out giving permission for them to work on you but the pre op paperwork does take longer. Also make sure to have all your medications written down so they know exactly what and how much you are taking. I noticed some had not done that but they need to make sure nothing you take interacts with what they have to give you.

Verified Google review
Zac Lott

Zac Lott

Had a colonoscopy done at this facility. Everyone was great. The young ladies in room 3 made sure I was comfortable and explained things that were to take place during my procedure.Highly recommend!

Verified Google review
Kelly Neale

Kelly Neale

I recently had an EGD done here by Dr. Short. They called me back, the young nurse was so sweet. She told me everything she was going to do, and was so gentle with the IV. When they took me back to get set up for the procedure, they made sure I was ok and comfortable. Dr. Short and his staff took care of me. I was treated with such great care. I suffer with anxiety so bad, and they were so comforting to me, I never had an issue with it. They even called the next day to see how I was doing.

Verified Google review
Katie Hasse

Katie Hasse

RUN !!!! I registered my daughters 2 weeks ago for their tonsillectomy , informed the nurse that we have a family history of reaction to anesthesia 2 weeks prior to surgery during preregistration, and again on the online registration one week before surgery. Got a phone call less that 24 hours before their procedure that they were both being cancelled because the registering nurse, multiple other nurses that had reviewed their chart, and an anesthesiologist didn't read the chart. My youngest child had already had a procedure here when she was 9 months old where they apparently gave her general anesthesia because the MH risk wasn't documented correctly on her chart. The put my child at risk the first time , and failed to catch it again until the day before surgery. This facility is a slew of incompetent employees with no regard to patient care or patient safety.

Verified Google review

Reviews from Google Places for DECATUR AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER. These are real experiences shared by patients.

Contact

Years in Operation

41 years

Est. 1985

Ownership

For-Profit

Operating Rooms

7

Specialties

OphthalmologyInterventional Pain MedicineGastroenterologyPodiatry
Medicare Certified

Verify quality data on the official CMS source:

View on Medicare.gov

Questions to Ask

  • โ€ขDoes my insurance cover this procedure here?
  • โ€ขWhat is the surgeon's experience with this procedure?
  • โ€ขWhat is the facility's hospital transfer rate?
  • โ€ขWhat anesthesia options are available?
  • โ€ขWhat is the recovery process and follow-up care?
  • โ€ขAre there pre-op requirements (labs, fasting, etc.)?