ASHLAND, Ky. - Kings Daughters Medical Center threw out the welcome mat Tuesday during the grand opening ceremonies for its new Outpatient Surgery Center.

The 30,000 square-foot Outpatient Surgery Center is located on the third floor of the KDMC Medical Plaza and can be accessed from

23rd Street. Patient services will begin at the center Monday.

According to the hospital, same-day surgeries performed at King’s Daughters Medical Center have increased more than 40 percent in the last five years. Also in that time, more than 20 new surgical specialists have joined the KDMC medical staff. A steering committee of physicians, staff, administrators and architects was formed to design a facility.

"We call it a 'focus center' because it is dedicated to certain specialized types of procedures," said Chad Furgason, director of the center.

Some of these include eye and dental procedures, biopsies, orthopedic, plastic and reconstructive, urologic, ear, nose, and throat, and gynecological specialties, he said.

"We're excited to offer this service to patients and their families,"said Cheryl Fannin, RN., patient care manager of the center. "Everything they need for their outpatient surgery is here."

Fannin says most patients will complete necessary paperwork and registration over the phone the day before their surgery.

"Unless you have some required pre-operative testing, you won't have to come to the medical center except for the day of your surgery," she said. "This eliminates another step in the process so it's more convenient."

The Outpatient Surgery Center operates 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It has four operating suites, with space available for adding a fifth, one special procedures room, on-site instrument sterilization and supplies for increased efficiency and 22 recovery rooms, six of which are special private recovery rooms for children. It also has a private corridor and elevator for patients to leave after surgery.

The facility was designed by Charleston, W.Va., architects Kreps & Kreps and was built by Ashland

construction company W.B. Fosson & Sons. The center created 28 new jobs.