Inpatient and Outpatient Surgery 

Southwest Memorial Hospital offers state-of-the-art surgical care in four operating rooms and two endoscopy suites. Our team of experienced surgeons, anesthesiologists and anesthetists, surgical nurses, and operating room technicians all have safety and the best possible outcome for each and every patient as their number one priority. Inpatient surgical care includes procedures such as total joint replacement, bowel resection, mastectomy, lumbar laminectomy, and many others.  

Same Day Surgery
Advances in technology have made undergoing surgery much less complex than it was even one decade ago. Lasers, specialized scopes, microsurgical instruments, and sophisticated radiologic equipment make it possible for many diagnostic and surgical procedures to be performed without ever spending the night in the hospital. Same Day Surgery patients undergo a procedure and return home later that same day. The Same Day Surgery unit at Southwest Memorial Hospital averages 135 cases per month.  

Surgical procedures commonly performed as Same Day Surgery include laparoscopic gallbladder removal, knee arthroscopy, and cataract surgery, as well as diagnostic procedures such as a breast biopsy, colonoscopy and EGD. 

Same day surgery in a safe hospital setting offers many advantages for patients. It is less costly than staying overnight, less disruptive to your normal routine, and allows you to recuperate in the comfort of your own home. You can expect the same high quality care and personal attention in the Same Day Surgery unit as you would receive had been admitted to the hospital. 

Same Day Surgery: What to expect
If Same Day Surgery is determined to be appropriate for you, your doctor’s office will schedule a pre-admission visit and testing appointment for you. The Same Day Surgery unit is open for pre-admissions from 1:00 - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, by appointment. Please call 970-564-2237 if you need to make special arrangements to be pre-registered outside these hours.   

During your pre-admission visit, your nurse will give you information on the surgery you are scheduled for and explain what will take place on the day of surgery, including the time including what time you should arrive and any special instructions. It is a good idea to bring a list of your current medications as well as a list of surgical procedures you have had performed in the past to your pre-admission visit. This will help ensure that all information pertaining to your health is accurate.   

When you arrive at the Same Day Surgery unit on the day of your procedure, your nurse will prepare you for surgery and you will meet with your anesthesia provider. Some procedures are performed under general anesthetic (asleep), others are performed using sedation (your are sleepy but aware), and still others require only local anesthetic (the area is numbed by injection but you are awake).  

Upon completion of your surgery you will be moved to the Post-anesthesia Care Unit or to a bed in Same Day Surgery. You will remain in Same Day Surgery until it is determined that you are alert enough to return home. Occasionally, Same Day Surgery patients do have to stay overnight in the hospital, but this is a relatively rare occurrence.   

With convenience comes responsibility. After you undergo Same Day Surgery, you must have someone to drive you home who, ideally, will stay with you for a while until you are able to care for yourself. Once at home, you must be able to follow your physician’s orders regarding diet, rest, and pain medication. Most patients appreciate being able to recover at home and do very well. If, once home, you have any questions or concerns, contact your doctor or call us at 970-564-2237 immediately. A day or two after you return home, expect a call from an Same Day Surgery nurse who will check in to make sure you are recovering according to plan.