International Association for Ambulatory Surgery (IAAS)

The International Association for Ambulatory Surgery (IAAS) was founded in 1995 and is a registered charity in Belgium. Its main aim is to promote the worldwide development of high-quality ambulatory surgery (aka: day surgery). In pursuit of this, the IAAS has had a number of achievements. Even before its formal inception, the founding member countries started the publication of the first international peer-reviewed journal on ambulatory surgery.

The aim of the IAAS is to promote the development and growth of high-quality ambulatory surgery worldwide. To this end, it encourages an international exchange of ideas and stimulates programs of education, research, and audit.

The IAAS publishes the journal Ambulatory Surgery, holds biennial international congresses, assists with national meetings, and lobbies national and international healthcare bodies.

These activities have resulted in the founding of new national associations for ambulatory surgery, a growth in ambulatory surgery rates worldwide, and the incorporation of ambulatory surgery in the strategies of an increasing number of national healthcare providers and international bodies.

Mission:
The mission of the IAAS is to promote the worldwide development and growth of high-quality ambulatory surgery (day surgery). Day surgery has proven itself to be a high-quality, safe, and cost-effective approach to surgical health care. In this light, IAAS members work together to carry out this mission free of partisan spirit and prejudice and are committed to the values of solidarity and equity of access to healthcare.