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Surgery center launches new digs By Amber Fossen Ashland Daily Tidings Patients in need of some minor surgical procedures will be able to steer clear of the operating room this January. Construction on the Ashland Surgery Center, a new ambulatory surgery center, began today at 658 North Main. The center will reduce patient costs and free-up the Ashland Community Hospital operating room's tight schedule. According to Dr. Bill Epstein M.D. - a co-owner of the center along with Dr. Craig Chow M.D., Dr. Mark Greenberg M.D., and Dr. Robert Ewing M.D. - the center will provide much needed flexibility for surgical staff. "It (ambulatory centers) allows physicians to make their own schedules and to provide quality experience very different from a hospital," Epstein said. "Hospital operating room time is really tight, particularly on certain days and this is going to free up some time." Epstein said the out-patient surgery facility will conduct much of what's done at the hospital. The center will focus on minor surgical procedures pertaining to gastroentrology, ophthalmology and anesthesiology. However, all retina cases will stay at the hospital. Epstein said the center will also reduce patient cost. "There are significant savings for the patient," he said, noting the Medicare rules are very different for patients admitted to hospitals rather than receiving out-patient care at ambulatory centers. According to Epstein, the goal is to work in collaboration with the ACH. He said discussions are on-going. U.S. Bank is financing the project scheduled for completion in January and Adroit Construction is constructing the facility. Epstein said they predict more than 2,000 patients within the first year. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -