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Same Day Surgery
Phone: (970) 564-2237 (on weekends call (970) 564-2200)
e-mail: dyeomans@swhealth.orgModern technological advances and medical techniques have changed the way many illnesses and injuries are diagnosed and treated. Lasers, specialized scopes, microsurgical instruments, and sophisticated radiologic equipment make it possible for many diagnostic and surgical procedures to be performed on an outpatient or same day basis.
At Southwest Memorial Hospital’s Same Day Surgery/Same Day Care unit, patients undergo a procedure and return home later that same day. The SDS unit averages 120 cases per month and schedules routine cases Monday through Friday beginning at 6:00AM, plus a number of after hour and emergency weekend cases as well.
The Benefits for you. . .
Same day surgery offers many advantages for patients: it is less costly, it is less disruptive to your regular routine, and it allows you to recuperate in your own home; but most importantly the safety of being located within a hospital, where you are surrounded by comprehensive medical and nursing resources. You can expect the same high quality care and personal attention in the Same Day Surgery unit as you would receive if you had been admitted to the hospital.
What is Day Surgery?
Day Surgery could be described as hospital care for a day. The patient is admitted, undergoes a procedure operation using sedation, general anesthetic, or local anesthetic, and goes home – all on the same day. 65% of American surgical procedures are now done on an outpatient basis where no hospital stay is requested.
What operations are suitable for Day Surgery?
Appropriate procedures for ambulatory surgery are those associated with postoperative care that is easily managed at home, and with low rates of postoperative complications that require intensive physician or nursing management. Many simple surgical procedures, which are relatively brief and uncomplicated are considered suitable. Your physician can advise you if the surgery you need is one that can be performed as same day surgery. Many factors enter in and not all patients are suitable candidates for same day surgery. Care is provided for endoscopy patients with gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions. The Same Day Surgery unit treats patients undergoing surgery in the areas of general surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics/gynecology, urology, ear, nose and throat, oral surgery, ophthalmology, and podiatry. Treatment and diagnostic procedures are provided for the following: myelograms, lumbar punctures, diagostic testing, intravenous medications, blood transfusions, and biopsies
What can I expect?
Your personal physician discusses with you the option of Same Day Surgery and schedules the procedure with the hospital. When you have been scheduled you will need to then begin thinking about being prepared for the procedure. You will be scheduled for a pre-admission interview and testing before your surgery at the hospital. Your doctor’s office may schedule this appointment for you, or you may call 564-2243 or 564-2231 and make an appointment to see a pre-admission nurse. SDS unit is open for pre-admissions from 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. – Monday through Friday by appointment. Oftentimes certain patients find it difficult to work within this schedule and the SDS staff is willing to work with your schedule in setting a special appointment time. In some instances information can be obtained by telephone. The pre-admission nurse will give you information on the surgery you are scheduled for and explain what will be taking place the day of surgery, including time to arrive the day of surgery and any special instructions.
The Day of Surgery
Once you arrive at the SDS unit you will be met by registered nurses and experienced patient care assistants. Your nurse will prepare you for surgery, and your anesthesiologist will visit you in Same Day surgery or in the operating room’s holding area prior to your surgery to discuss the type of anesthetic or sedation you will receive. Some procedure are performed under general anesthetic (asleep), others are performed using sedation (your are sleepy but aware), and others using local anesthestic (the area is numbed by injection but you are awake). Your physician discusses with you the preferable anesthetic for your specific procedure.
Upon completion of your surgery you will be moved to the Post-anesthesia Care Unit or directly back to your bed in Same Day Surgery. You will remain in Same Day Surgery until discharge criteria has been met and you have been given instructions for your follow-up care. If your doctor decides you will need to stay overnight, you will remain in the SDS room without any disruption to your care.
What are the responsibilities of the SDS patient in terms of going home after a procedure?
With convenience comes responsibility. Patients undergoing SDS should have someone to take them home and stay with them afterwards and if necessary to provide care. The patient, or some responsible person must be able to see that all instructions are carried out. Once at home, the patient must be able to tolerate the pain from the procedure, assuming adequate pain therapy is provided. Follow your physician’s orders regarding diet, rest and pain medication. The majority of patients are satisfied with early discharge and the comfort of being back in familiar surroundings as soon as possible.
Patients can expect a call from the Hospital a few days after surgery. The SDS nurse will call to see how you are doing because your health and well-being are of utmost important.
An Experienced Professional Medical Team
Because we know that any hospital stay can be stressful, skilled nursing staff of Southwest Memorial Hospital / Same Day Surgery Unit will help you through every facet of the procedure. From the preoperative registration to the follow-up phone call to check on your recovery at home, you will receive caring and individualized treatment. SDS is staffed with a team of professional nurses who provide nursing care and assisted by SWMH Volunteers who assist with answering the phone, help patients from place to place in the hospital, assist with discharge of the patient, assembling charts and just being there for anxious family members.
Dr. Emily Sutcliffe serves as the Medical Director for Same Day Surgery. In her role as medical director, Dr. Sutcliffe is responsible for assuring performance of medical staff functions which SDS unit is depended upon to provide and acts as liaison between the Medical Staff and the same day surgery department. Dr. Sutcliffe is a Board Certified OB/GYN Surgeon and has been on the staff of Southwest Memorial Hospital since 1995.
Same Day Surgery Charges
Patients receive a bill for hospital fees which include charges for the Same Day Surgery unit, the operating room, the recovery room, lab tests, x-rays, medications, and supplied. Patients are billed separately for each physician - related service, i.e. surgeon, anesthesiologist, radiologist, and pathologist.
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1311 N. Mildred Rd. • Cortez, Co, 81321
Main Hospital: 970-565-6666 • Emergency Room: 970-564-2025
