Aim: In view of scare resources and the discussion about minimum in-patient care, there is concern that regional health care will be impaired. This model aims to preserve surgical in-patient care, adjusted to the local demand. It is yet to be seen whether limitation of what is offered will be more cost effective while providing equal quality. Method: Several procedures suitable for short-stay surgery were selected for a surgical department in southern Germany. The documentation requirements were made part of the contract. The content was based on quality assessment in hospitals in Baden-Wuerttemberg, whose published results served as a comparison. Results: The main fields of activity (hernia repair, vein surgery, cholecystectomy) are suitable for the short-stay approach. The number of complications is low and below the national average. Structural process standards were met. The length of stay corresponded with the contract agreements and was shorter than the average terms of stay in the survey data. Endoscopic surgery predominates. Conclusions: The results speak in favour of this adjusted treatment offer. It is a way of preserving local structures of in-patient care and guaranteeing quality by improving the processes involved while also saving costs.