Why surgical facility accreditation matters for safety

Patients focus on the surgeon and the procedure, but where the surgery is performed is a genuine safety factor that deserves attention, and accreditation is the marker to look for.

Cosmetic surgery should be done in an accredited surgical facility, whether a hospital or a properly accredited office-based or ambulatory surgery center, which means it has met standards for equipment, sterilization, emergency preparedness, staffing, and anesthesia safety. Accreditation by a recognized body signals that the facility is equipped to handle the procedure and any complications safely. Surgery performed in unaccredited settings to cut costs is a recognized source of serious, sometimes catastrophic, outcomes.

Related is anesthesia: appropriate anesthesia administered and monitored by qualified personnel is essential, and patients should understand what type of anesthesia their procedure involves and who is providing it. Asking a prospective surgeon where they operate, whether the facility is accredited, and how anesthesia and emergencies are handled is entirely appropriate and revealing, a reputable practice answers readily. The practical lesson is that the cheapest option sometimes saves money precisely by cutting safety corners in the facility, and that a properly accredited setting with qualified anesthesia is part of what you are paying for. Choosing a surgeon who operates in an accredited facility with proper anesthesia protocols is a core, often overlooked, element of safe cosmetic surgery.

Related reading: Plastic surgery and skin health: a partnership.