US-based health systems Baptist Health and Compass Surgical Partners have formed a joint venture to establish a network of ambulatory surgery centres (ASCs). 

The ASC network will be called Horizon Surgery Center, with the first ASC to be located at the Baptist Medical Center Beaches campus in Jacksonville, Florida.  

Scheduled to launch early this year, this facility will provide outpatient procedures across various surgical specialities such as orthopaedics, general surgery, neurosurgery, and plastics.  

The partners will eventually bring several such facilities to Northeast Florida by other ASCs and renovating existing outpatient spaces owned by Baptist Health.

Baptist Health is participating in this venture through its for-profit subsidiary Pavilion Health Services. 

North Carolina-based Compass Surgical Partners specialises in the development and management of ASCs. 

Baptist Health COO Matthew A Zuino said: “Through our collaboration with physicians, the ASCs will help us bring even more value to the community by providing patients with an option for high-quality surgery in a lower-cost setting. 

“By working together with Compass, we aim to make excellent outpatient surgical care even more affordable and accessible to our growing community.” 

Staffed with specialised teams, ASCs can deliver personalised same-day procedures.  

This model, claimed to be cost-effective, enables access to licensed and accredited surgical care, especially for individuals with high-deductible health insurance plans.  

It is expected to enhance access to accredited surgical care, address scheduling delays, and optimise capital allocation for other projects. 

Compass Surgical Partners CEO DJ Hill said: “Compass Surgical Partners is proud to engage in this joint venture with Baptist Health as it addresses its community's need for broader access to advanced surgical care. 

“We're excited to help this trusted healthcare partner meet its strategic and service goals by expanding the footprint of Horizon Surgery Centers.”