About 1.2 million invasive office procedures—including biopsies, cosmetic treatments, insertion of permanent IV lines, and removal of colon polyps—are performed each year in the United States. Office-based surgery is unregulated in 26 states. Before you agree to a procedure, ask: Does your state regulate office surgeries? Contact your state board of medicine. In unregulated states, ask whether the office is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. Is the doctor board-certified? This voluntary credential means the doc has extra training, skills, and experience. Check with the American Board of Medical Specialties. Who’s giving anesthesia? Expect hospital-level training. Is emergency resuscitative equipment on hand? That includes defibrillators, special medications, and personnel trained to use them. Can I go to a hospital or outpatient surgery center instead? Invasive procedures, especially long ones, may be safer there. If the answer is no, consider seeing another doc. More from Prevention: How To Get Out Of The Hospital Alive
