As healthcare continues its evolution toward value-based care, the surgical industry is experiencing one of its most significant shifts in decades. The rise of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs)—specialized outpatient facilities designed for efficiency and patient comfort—is changing how and where surgical procedures are performed.
Heading into 2025 and 2026, this trend shows no signs of slowing down. ASCs are broadening their coverage, performing an increasing number of complex procedures that were once limited to hospital operating rooms. This evolution has major implications for how surgical products are sourced, packaged, and delivered.
The Rise of Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs)
ASCs have been steadily expanding across the U.S. healthcare landscape, fueled by technological innovation, payer approval, and patient preference for outpatient care. According to industry reports, ASCs now perform more than 60% of all U.S. surgical procedures, and that share is expected to grow as both Medicare and private payers continue to approve more procedures for the outpatient setting.
In 2025, ASCs are projected to expand capabilities in key areas such as:
- Orthopedics and spine procedures, supported by advances in minimally invasive techniques
- Cardiovascular interventions, as new device technologies enable same-day discharge
- Gastrointestinal and ophthalmic surgeries, where efficiency and high patient throughput drive profitability
For patients, the benefits are clear: shorter recovery times, reduced costs, and a more comfortable care experience. For healthcare systems, ASCs offer a scalable model that supports the broader shift toward cost containment and operational efficiency.
The Supply Chain Shift: Efficiency Meets Customization
As ASCs take on more advanced surgical procedures, their supply chain needs are evolving. Facilities are looking for partners who can deliver flexibility, consistency, and cost control—all while maintaining the highest standards of quality.
One critical component of that efficiency is the Custom Procedure Tray (CPT). By consolidating frequently used disposable items into a single, ready-to-use kit, CPTs simplify setup, reduce waste, and ensure every procedure is performed with the right components on hand.
This is where Welmed’s expertise plays a crucial role.
Welmed: A Proven Partner in Custom Procedure Tray Components
Since our founding in 2006, Welmed has supplied high-quality, non-sterile disposable components to the nation’s leading surgical tray manufacturers and kit builders. Our products are integral to the assembly of Custom Procedure Trays used across hospitals, ASCs, and specialty surgical practices.
Our line of Custom Procedure Tray Disposables includes:
- Surgical drapes and gowns
- Specialty drapes, such as our Fracture Table Hip Drape
- Equipment covers and pads
- Tubing, sponges and accessories
- Non-sterile wraps, PPE
Each component is manufactured for precision and reliability, ensuring seamless integration into sterile tray assembly workflows. Kit builders rely on Welmed not only for consistent product quality but also for responsive service and dependable availability—two key factors in a healthcare environment where delays can impact patient care.
Explore our Custom Procedure Tray Disposables
Strategic Distribution Partnerships Powering the Supply Chain
At the heart of Welmed’s success is our commitment to strategic partnerships with trusted distributors who share our mission of reliability and customer care.
Welmed proudly partners with some of the most respected names in healthcare distribution, including:
- McKesson
- Owens & Minor
- Henry Schein
- Cardinal Health
- Concordance Healthcare Solutions
- Medline Industries
These partnerships ensure that Welmed products are available nationwide—whether it’s a large hospital system with multiple locations or a single outpatient surgery center operating independently.
We also collaborate with a growing network of regional and specialty distributors, offering flexibility and access to healthcare providers of all sizes. Our distribution strategy is designed to support cost-effective, timely delivery of essential disposables across the continuum of surgical care.
Learn more about Welmed’s Distribution Partners
Just the Facts: What’s Driving the ASC Boom
Behind the rapid rise of Ambulatory Surgery Centers are measurable shifts in how and where care is being delivered. The following facts highlight why ASCs are among the fastest-growing segments in healthcare today:
- 60%+ of all surgeries in the U.S. are now performed in outpatient settings, and that figure is projected to reach 70% by 2027.
- Over 6,200 ASCs are currently operating nationwide, with growth concentrated in orthopedic, cardiovascular, and GI specialties.
- CMS approvals continue to expand: More than 1,800 procedures are now cleared for ASC performance, up from just over 200 two decades ago.
- The average ASC costs 35–50% less per procedure compared to hospitals, offering major savings for payers and patients alike.
- Patient satisfaction scores in ASCs consistently rank above 90%, driven by shorter stays, personalized care, and streamlined experiences.
- ASC ownership models are diversifying, with physician groups, private equity, and health systems all investing heavily to expand outpatient capacity.
- By 2026, the global ASC market is expected to exceed $140 billion, reflecting the growing demand for efficient surgical solutions and the shift toward outpatient care delivery.
These trends underscore the growing importance of supply chain reliability, custom tray optimization, and product standardization—all areas where Welmed provides proven value.
A Growing Demand for Collaboration and Customization
Looking ahead to 2026, the pace of innovation in the surgical industry will continue to accelerate. ASCs are not just expanding in number—they’re becoming more specialized, more data-driven, and more collaborative in their approach to care delivery.
To keep up, suppliers must offer customized, responsive solutions that align with each facility’s unique procedural mix and workflow. That’s why Welmed is committed to working hand-in-hand with both kit builders and distribution partners to design solutions that enhance efficiency while controlling costs.
By offering flexible, non-sterile components and reliable supply chain support, we help ASCs and hospitals alike focus on what matters most—delivering safe, high-quality patient care.
Conclusion: Supplying the Future of Surgical Care
The expansion of Ambulatory Surgery Centers marks one of the most important healthcare trends of the decade. As the industry embraces outpatient care at an unprecedented scale, Welmed remains a trusted partner—supporting every stage of the surgical supply chain with quality disposables, custom tray expertise, and strong distribution relationships.
For almost 20 years, our mission has remained consistent: to deliver the dependable products and partnerships that keep healthcare moving forward.
To learn how Welmed can support your ASC, hospital system, or kit-building operation, Contact Us today.