Incorporating ACS into Your Practice

Acute care surgery is an evolving field which stands to benefit patients, surgeons, and hospital systems alike. A standardized definition of this practice model has yet to be agreed upon and may require flexibility with specifics dependent on the needs and resources of the employing group or institution. This chapter aims to introduce surgeons to the model, its potential pitfalls, and unique considerations when implementing this model into an existing practice. Finally, an important part of a successful acute care surgery service, billing and coding, is discussed in detail to help demystify and optimize these practices.