MemorialCare Earns Top Marks in Outpatient Surgery Amid Industry Shift

By Tyler Flores

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. – March 17, 2026 – For the third consecutive year, two of MemorialCare’s ambulatory surgery centers have been distinguished among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report, a recognition that highlights both the healthcare system's commitment to quality and a profound shift in how surgical care is delivered across the country.

MemorialCare Outpatient Surgical Center Long Beach received a “High Performing” rating for its expertise in Ophthalmology, Colonoscopy, and Endoscopy. Meanwhile, the MemorialCare Digestive Care Center at Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills was recognized for its excellence in Colonoscopy and Endoscopy. This achievement places the facilities in an elite group, selected from an evaluation of more than 4,400 outpatient surgical centers nationwide.

“Outpatient, same-day surgery has become a cornerstone of value-based care,” said David Kim, M.D., president of MemorialCare, in a statement. “It allows us to deliver high-quality care at the right time, for the right cost, in a way that is efficient, accessible, and patient centered.”

The New Benchmark for Quality

The U.S. News & World Report 'Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers' ratings are designed to provide patients with a data-driven resource for making crucial healthcare decisions. In an increasingly complex medical landscape, these rankings offer a transparent look at which facilities excel in clinical outcomes and patient safety. For its 2026 evaluation, U.S. News partnered with healthcare analytics firm Arcadia to analyze objective, risk-adjusted metrics from Medicare claims data.

The methodology scrutinizes a facility’s performance across several critical areas, including the successful avoidance of post-procedural complications, low rates of emergency room visits, and minimal unplanned hospitalizations following a procedure. The analysis also incorporates the total cost attributable to complications and the all-cause mortality rate. To ensure a fair comparison, the model adjusts for patient-specific factors, such as pre-existing conditions.

According to U.S. News, only the top-performing facilities earn the “Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers” designation, with approximately 21% of the 4,421 evaluated centers receiving the honor this year. The distinction signifies a proven track record of excellence.

“The Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers ratings empower consumers to find a local outpatient location that matches their surgical needs with exceptional outcomes,” explained Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “These ratings help patients, in consultation with their doctors, identify facilities with a proven track record of excellence in quality and clinical outcomes.”

A Leader in a Competitive Landscape

MemorialCare's consistent recognition is particularly notable given the highly competitive healthcare market in Southern California. The 2026 U.S. News ratings identified California as the state with the highest number of top-tier ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), boasting 105 designated facilities. The Los Angeles metropolitan area alone is home to 34 of these “Best ASCs,” underscoring the dense and advanced nature of the regional market.

By securing top ratings for its Long Beach and Laguna Hills centers, MemorialCare demonstrates its ability to not only compete but lead in this demanding environment. The recognition reflects a dedicated strategy focused on building advanced outpatient capabilities without compromising patient safety or clinical results. This focus aligns with the broader healthcare goal of delivering value—achieving the best possible outcomes at a sustainable cost.

Dr. Kim emphasized this strategic vision, stating, “MemorialCare is committed to building our reputation as a community and industry leader in access to advanced outpatient surgical capabilities so patients can benefit from leading-edge care without compromising safety or outcomes.”

The Rising Tide of Outpatient Surgery

The success of centers like MemorialCare’s is emblematic of a larger, transformative trend in healthcare: the migration of surgical procedures from traditional inpatient hospital settings to specialized ASCs. This shift is fueled by a confluence of factors, including advancements in minimally invasive surgical techniques, anesthesia protocols that allow for quicker recovery, and favorable reimbursement policies.

The global market for ambulatory surgical centers is projected to grow from approximately $105.5 billion in 2025 to $159.3 billion by 2034. In 2023 alone, the volume of ASC surgical procedures for Medicare beneficiaries saw a 5.7% increase. This growth is not just a matter of convenience; it carries significant economic benefits. Procedures performed in ASCs often come with lower costs for both payers, like Medicare, and patients, who typically face lower out-of-pocket expenses compared to a hospital stay.

Regulators are also accelerating this trend. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has been progressively expanding the list of procedures approved for the ASC setting, adding nearly two dozen new codes for 2025 and signaling a more aggressive expansion for 2026. This includes more complex procedures in orthopedics and cardiology that were once the exclusive domain of hospitals.

Navigating Care with Data-Driven Transparency

As the volume and complexity of outpatient surgeries grow, the need for reliable, transparent quality data has become paramount for patient safety. Rankings from U.S. News & World Report are a key part of a larger ecosystem of quality reporting that empowers patients.

Government bodies and independent organizations are also heavily invested in this effort. The CMS Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program mandates the public reporting of quality metrics, which are available for consumers to compare on government websites. A key component of this is the Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (OAS CAHPS) survey, which directly captures patient feedback on their experiences.

Collaborations between organizations like The Leapfrog Group and the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) are further advancing public reporting on measures such as procedure volumes and patient safety protocols. For patients and their families, these data points transform the process of choosing a surgical center from a leap of faith into an informed decision grounded in objective evidence of safety and excellence. MemorialCare's consistent high performance in these ratings serves as a case study for how data-driven quality and a patient-centered approach are defining the future of surgical care.