Yosemite Clinic Launches China's First Independent High-Quality Ambulatory Surgery Center in Pudong, Shanghai

Recently, the first independent ambulatory surgery center in China, established by Yosemite Clinic (hereinafter referred to as “YC”), quietly opened in Pudong, Shanghai, in November 2016.

As a result, some surgical patients in Shanghai and the surrounding Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions can choose higher-standard surgical centers that provide comprehensive care—including admission, surgery, postoperative observation, recovery, and discharge—within 24 to 48 hours. Meanwhile, in an elegant and welcoming clinical environment, complemented by meticulous, high-quality, and considerate professional medical care, complex surgical procedures are made simpler, thereby delivering higher-quality and more convenient medical services to patients. 

Exterior View of Usmile Medical

In traditional medical thinking, “surgery” is often perceived as a cumbersome and challenging medical procedure. The mere mention of “surgery” tends to instill considerable fear in most people. Conventional surgery typically entails prolonged hospitalization, endless shuttling between various departments of large hospitals, significant physical and emotional strain on family members, aloofness from physicians, and considerable physical and psychological anxiety for patients… But is this truly an accurate reflection of reality?

Not at all. The establishment of Usmile Medical’s Ambulatory Surgery Center aims to change the daunting impression traditional surgeries often leave on patients, enabling them to receive warm, high-quality medical care and successfully complete their treatment within a shorter timeframe.

Dr. Song Keying, founder of Usmile Medical, a surgeon and scholar who returned to China after studying in the United States, introduced that ambulatory surgery, originating from developed countries in Europe and the United States, is a model in which patients meeting specific indications complete the entire process—including consultation, hospitalization, surgery, brief postoperative observation, recovery, and discharge—within one to two working days. In some cases, patients do not even need to stay overnight in the hospital. Over 40 years of development in European and American healthcare institutions have proven it to be a safe and reliable surgical model, widely accepted by patients across these regions. Independently operated ambulatory surgery centers represent a care delivery model positioned between outpatient services and inpatient surgery. This approach offers greater flexibility, allowing patient admission, surgery, and discharge to be completed within one to two working days, while maintaining medical quality and patient satisfaction levels that are comparable to, or even surpass, those of conventional inpatient surgeries.

However, the entry requirements for independently operating an ambulatory surgery center are extremely stringent. They necessitate more meticulous preoperative assessment protocols, advanced operating room facilities and equipment, highly specialized and experienced surgeons and anesthesiologists, more scientifically optimized patient care pathways, and a comprehensive postoperative follow-up system. Consequently, establishing such a medical institution involves high barriers to entry and is difficult to replicate, requiring a highly professional team for meticulous preparation and operation. Building upon the extensive preliminary work conducted by the U-Smiley Medical Team, we have successfully established an ambulatory surgery center that fully rivals international medical institutions, making its debut in the most vibrant international metropolis—Shanghai’s Pudong New Area, adjacent to Century Park.

It can handle outpatient surgeries, a portion of inpatient surgeries, as well as painless examinations and treatments. Here, the vast majority of procedures will be performed using minimally invasive techniques, which are most widely accepted by the general public. The emergence of the Day Surgery Center, a new healthcare delivery model, addresses the gap between outpatient and inpatient surgical care and is poised to become an integral component of the national healthcare system.

“Currently, in the United States, over 3,500 types of medical conditions and 12 million surgical procedures are performed annually in ambulatory surgery centers. In foreign countries, ambulatory surgeries account for 80–90% of the total surgical volume in Europe and the United States, and nearly 90% of all surgical procedures can be addressed using minimally invasive techniques. This is undoubtedly the future direction of healthcare development in China as well,” said Dr. Song Keying. “The ambulatory minimally invasive surgeries pioneered by Usmile Medical are conducted with robust support from advanced medical technologies and high-tech medical devices, aiming to minimize trauma to patients during surgical treatment. With advancements in science and technology, we integrate the concepts of ‘ambulatory surgery’ and ‘minimally invasive techniques’ to refine the treatment of traditional diseases, creating convenient, safe, high-quality, and patient-centered medical services.”

The medical team at Usmile Medical places paramount emphasis on safety and professionalism. To this end, they have specially constructed operating rooms that meet the industry’s highest standards for laminar flow purification. These facilities effectively filter out airborne particles and bacteria, thereby significantly reducing the risk of intraoperative infections and minimizing surgical complications. Dr. Song Keying stated, “Medical quality is our top priority. At Usmile Medical, we have spared no expense in building high-specification operating rooms to ensure that every patient leaves fully satisfied.”

“If you’re going to do it, do it best,”Regarding medical services and quality, Dr. Song Keying expressed strong confidence: “Our core team consists of professionals with extensive experience on the front lines of clinical surgery. We have made thorough and meticulous preparations over many years in areas such as medical care, nursing, and operations. Furthermore, in alignment with national health policies, Usmile Medical has introduced the concept of a ‘Multi-Site Practice Platform’ for senior physicians, bringing together renowned medical experts from both China and abroad to provide consultations. As physicians who truly understand their peers, we are committed to sincerely serving these distinguished doctors, enabling them to deliver better care to patients through Usmile Medical.” It is reported that many prominent medical teams, including well-known expert physicians from domestic and international communities, have reached strategic cooperation intentions with Usmile Medical and will gradually provide specialized diagnostic and treatment services across multiple departments to patients.

Founder of Usmile Medical: Song Keying, Surgeon | M.D.

Currently, Usmile Medical comprises departments including General Practice, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Dermatology, Medical Aesthetics, Dentistry, Ophthalmology, Gynecology, Pediatrics, Radiology, Anesthesiology, and Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine. It aims to provide internationally standardized healthcare services to the community and patients both domestic and abroad, while striving to build a convenient, efficient, and patient-centered diagnosis and treatment service platform.

“We have a modest dream: to establish a specialized medical institution that does not feel like a traditional hospital, so that patients no longer find hospitals intimidating. We want them to choose our facility, placing their trust and reliance in our professional medical and nursing team. Trust is the cornerstone of the doctor–patient relationship. Patients entrust their lives to us, and physicians leverage their professional expertise to help patients overcome disease; simultaneously, patients place their confidence in their doctors, handing their lives into their care. I sincerely hope that treating illness will no longer be a stressful and burdensome experience,” said Dr. Song Keying.

YouShiMeidi Medical has built and put into operation two Class 100 and one Class 10,000 laminar flow operating rooms, equipped with observation wards meeting five-star hotel standards. Meanwhile, it is the first to fully introduce the American “Urgent Care” concept, and has established independent imaging and laboratory centers, working in conjunction with the ambulatory surgery center to rapidly complete medical examinations, aiming to provide patients with warm, convenient, and safe diagnosis and treatment services.

Presidium of the International Association for Ambulatory Surgery (IAAS) Visits Shanghai Usmile Medical

USMEDI Healthcare has officially opened its doors in Pudong, Shanghai, adhering steadfastly to the principles of quality and integrity. The facility will gradually roll out clinical services across various disease categories and specialties, prioritized by complexity, to serve a broad patient population. Since its inception, the USMEDI Healthcare team has hosted numerous domestic and international visitors, including an inspection and guidance delegation from the Board of Directors of the International Association for Ambulatory Surgery (IAAS). These efforts have garnered widespread recognition from leadership and industry professionals alike. Looking ahead, the USMEDI Healthcare team is committed to establishing additional ambulatory surgery centers over the coming years, making convenient, compassionate, and high-quality healthcare more accessible to the general public.