This 27 bed suite is located on the second floor of the main hospital in the newly renovated East Wing. This unit cares for patients who are having same day surgery and also cares for patients who are admitted after their surgery. The hours of operation are 6am until the last patient leaves, Monday through Friday. Saturday hours are scheduled by appointment only.
Our services are comprehensive, allowing us to say that "we are more than just surgery". In addition to the thousands of inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures, this unit cares for the pre-operative and post-operative needs of patients who are having specialized procedures.
In 2005, our Ambulatory Care Services had 7,291 patient visits
There are 5 surgical suites, including 2 newly constructed suites with advanced technology, dedicated to inpatient and outpatient surgery. There are also 3 outpatient suites, 1 newly constructed, dedicated primarily for endoscopic and other minor procedures.
There were 3,630 procedures done in 2005 in the Operating Rooms
The Outpatient Surgery Rooms did 4,012 procedures during 2005.
Pre Operative Testing/Outpatient Teaching Suite:
This area is patient centered, and is the area where patients may complete their pre-operative tests, where the RN assessment is conducted and where instructions related to the patient's surgical experience would be provided.
Pre-operative Testing - Prior to the date of your surgical procedure, your doctor may schedule you for a pre operative testing and outpatient teaching visit. You may also be scheduled to have blood work, a urine test, x-rays and/or an EKG (electrocardiogram) depending upon your physicians instructions. These tests are a necessary component in helping your physician assess your body's ability to have surgery; however, not every patient will be in need of this service.
The RN assessment takes approximately 40 minutes; a Registered Nurse will gather necessary health information. The patient will be asked questions about his/her current medications, allergy history, past hospitalizations and other pertinent health information. The area ensures that the RN assessment is conducted confidentially.
Patients may receive specific instructions regarding their surgery. A clinician is available to meet with the patient and to answer any questions that the patient may have about their procedure. Again, not every patient will need to use this service.
Our Outpatient Teaching Nurses saw 2,040 patients during 2005.
Post Anesthesia Care Unit ( PACU)
This 9 bay unit, often referred to as the Recovery Room, services both inpatient and outpatients. After your operation you may be taken directly back to Ambulatory Care or you may be transported to the PACU. In PACU, you will have continuous direct observation of your physical status by a Registered Nurse until you are ready to go back to your room.
Staff Credentials:
All RNs in each of our Surgical Care Line areas are Certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. (ACLS). In addition to ACLS, several RNs are Nationally Certified in their specialty area. This means they are considered experts in their field. Some examples of the certifications held by our highly qualified staff are "CNOR"- Certified Nurse Operating Room, "CAPA" - Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse, "CPAN" - Certified Perianesthesia Nurse.
St. Mary's Surgical Care Line offers the latest technology in surgery in a comfortable, convenient setting. Patient privacy and comfort are assured in individual rooms, while family members and friends can wait in the newly constructed waiting room.
Patient Satisfaction Scores
St Mary's utilizes the Press-Ganey Ambulatory Surgery Survey to measure our Patient Satisfaction. For more information on the hospital's patient satisfaction scores, please click here.
Perioperative Services is the name given to a wide range of services that are involved with procedures that may or may not require an overnight stay at the hospital.
- Any procedure that does not require an overnight hospital stay
(also called outpatient surgery or surgical day care or surgical day care).
- An area designated to complete pre-admission blood work, nurse assessments and provide instructions. Surgical Inpatients are also prepared for surgery in this area.
- An area designed for surgery and procedures such as cataract removal.
- GI Lab - Outpatient Surgery Room
- An area dedicated to exams of the colon, stomach, lungs, and minor procedures such as removal of skin lesions.
- Five (5) surgical rooms dedicated to inpatient and outpatient surgery.
- St. Mary's Ambulatory Surgery Care Center
- Offers the latest technology in outpatient surgery in a comfortable, convenient setting.
Patient privacy and comfort are assured in individual rooms, while family members and
friends can wait in the spacious atrium and café.
The Ambulatory Surgery Center includes:
- A state of the art GI lab
- Three minor procedure rooms
- Private outpatient surgery rooms adjacent to the five main operating rooms.
A wide variety of surgical and diagnostic procedures can be performed at the Ambulatory Surgery Center including:
- Arthroscopy - a visual examination of the joints of the body (example: shoulder, knee, etc.)
- Cataract removal - see our Ophthalmology Surgery
- Cystoscopy - a visual examination of the urinary tract and bladder
- Hysteroscopy - a visual examination of the uterus used to diagnose and treat uterine polyps
and fibroids.
- Laparoscopy - is the most common form of minimally invasive surgery performed today, and is used successfully for removal of the gallbladder and appendix, ulcer surgery, hernia repairs, and lung biopsies. These techniques are predicted to be the first choice for most diagnostic and surgical procedures in the 21st century. Laparoscopy is also used to treat endometriosis and for performing hysterectomies.
- Podiatry (foot surgery) - diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of the human foot (example: bunions or hammer toes).
- Sinus Endoscopy - a visual examination of the sinus cavity.
St. Mary's makes provision for anesthesia around the clock, 365 days a year.
Anesthesiologists
Anesthesiologists are physicians who have had at least four years of specialized post graduate training after medical school. Their education consists of in-depth knowledge in the broad field of medicine which prepares them for their critical responsibilities in the operating room. Anesthesiologists are involved in post-operative recovery, intensive care, cardiac resuscitation, pain treatment and respiratory therapy. However, the primary role continues to be that of caring for our patient's needs during the surgical experience.
Types of Anesthesia
The Three Broad categories of surgical anesthesia are:
General Anesthesia
The injection of medication into a vein to bring about a state of sleep. This may be followed by other intravenous medication and by agents you breathe in. Sometimes we assist your breathing by placing a tube in your windpipe while you are asleep to control your breathing and the delivery of anesthetic agents.
Regional Anesthesia
The injection of a medication around a nerve so that a specific part of your body becomes numb. Although you remain conscious, we can relax you by injecting medication into a vein. You may feel drowsy or even doze during the procedure. One type of a regional anesthetic is a "spinal" anesthesia. In a "spinal" anesthesia, medication is injected into your spinal fluid to numb the surgical site.
Local Anesthesia
The injection of medication into the skin around the surgical site. The local anesthetic may be given by your surgeon. If an anesthesiologist is present in the operating room, it is because your surgeon has asked that anesthesia be there to assure your comfort and to monitor your vital signs throughout the entire surgical procedure.
The Pre-Operative Visit
Since anesthesia and surgery affect body functions, it is necessary for the anesthesiologist to learn something about you. Each patient and each anesthetic are different. We want to make the "perfect match". For this reason the anesthesiologist will meet with you prior to your surgery. During this visit your medical record and laboratory data are reviewed with you. This may be done at your outpatient teaching visit or the morning of surgery.
This is an excellent time for you to ask questions about your anesthetic and about our procedures. Please bring up anything that is puzzling or worrying you. If you prefer a certain type of anesthetic, for example, let us know. If possible, we will try to accommodate you. It is important that you feel comfortable about the choices being made. The members of the surgical team want your surgical experience to be as safe and comfortable as possible.
Choosing Your Anesthetic
Selecting the most appropriate anesthetic for you depends on a variety of things such as:
- The type of operation to be performed
- How long the operation is expected to last
- Special requirements of the surgeon
- Your condition and medical history, including any medicines you are taking
- Your preferences
Before Your Surgery
- 1. It is very important that you do not eat any food or drink any liquids (including water) from midnight the night before your surgery unless you have received different instructions from your doctor. Also, unless your physician has indicated otherwise, be sure to take all medications prescribed with sips of water. (This is so that your stomach will be empty prior to the beginning of anesthesia.)
- 2. Write down and bring the name and dosage of each medication you are taking.
- 3. We urge you to stop smoking cigarettes at least three weeks prior to surgery.
- 4. If you develop any acute infection (a cold, bronchitis, fever, the flu, or any other respiratory infection), be sure to notify your surgeon. He may want to postpone your surgery.
During Your Surgery
During your surgery, your vital signs will be monitored. These include breathing, pulse rate, blood pressure, temperature and strength of your heart. We continually manage your entire environment and attend to your basic needs on a minute to minute basis.
After Your Surgery
When surgery is finished, you may be taken to the recovery room. This room is where you remain monitored by the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) nurses until you regain consciousness and are in a stable condition.
Side Effects
The development of knowledge, technology and medication has made modern anesthesia techniques very safe. In general, the healthier the patient, the lower the risk. The task of the anesthesiologist is to use the safest form of anesthetic compatible with good surgical conditions, and we assure you that this is a task we take extremely seriously. Your safety is our number one priority.
There can be side effects from anesthesia. You may experience:
- A sore throat for a day or two
- Muscle aches and pains for 12-24 hours
- Nausea and vomiting following surgery
- Redness or sore spots on your face or jaw
- A headache from a spinal anesthetic
- Soreness in your mouth, dental irritation
Please follow these steps to make your visit to St. Mary's as easy as possible.
Pre-Operative Testing/Out-Patient Teaching
Your physician will decide if any pre-operative tests need to be ordered before your surgery. Not everyone needs testing. Some of the most common types include: blood, x-rays and EKG (electrocardiogram). These tests can be done before the day of your surgery. They help your physician assess your body's ability to have surgery.
Anesthesia Plan
Prior to your surgery, an anesthesiologist will discuss with you which type of anesthesia is best for you. There are three types of anesthesia. If you are having a "general" anesthesia, you will be completely asleep. A second type is called "local" anesthesia and means a small section of your body will be numb. The third type is "regional or block" anesthesia for numbing a specific body part. During regional or local anesthesia, sedation may be given to make you feel more comfortable.
Travel Arrangements
If you are having anesthesia, other than local, please make arrangements ahead of time for someone to drive you home after your surgery. There are many important reasons for not driving yourself home, including any lingering effects of anesthesia or medication.
If you live alone, make arrangements for someone to stay with you overnight and longer if necessary, no matter how well you may feel. If you have small children, make arrangements for someone to assist you with child care.
Medication
Before your surgery, ask your physician if you should take your usual medication such as heart, high blood pressure medication, or over-the-counter non-prescription drugs. Some medications such as "blood thinners" that include aspirin or ibuprofen may need to be stopped several days before the surgery. If your physician tells you to stop any of your medications, be sure to ask when you can restart them after surgery.
If you have diabetes and take insulin or a diabetic "pill," ask your physician for specific direction about how much medication to take, if any. Some people take less insulin before surgery; others may be directed to take none.
On the day of your surgery, bring a list of the medication, including doses you take and the times you last took them.
Visitors
Please limit your visitors on the day of your surgery to 2 ADULTS.
If a child is going through surgery, a parent or responsible adult should plan to remain with the child throughout the hospital stay. We encourage you to bring your child's favorite toy.
"Nothing By Mouth"
You will be asked not to eat or drink after midnight unless your physician gives you different instructions. During surgery it is important to have an empty stomach. This includes chewing gum, candy, breath mints, as well as food and drink.
Do not smoke for 24 hours before surgery. Your blood cells carry more oxygen during surgery if you refrain from smoking. You should also notify your physician immediately if you develop any illness, cold, sore throat, cough or elevated temperature.
For more information about Surgical CareLine Services, please call 518-841-7249.
Clothing and Personal Items
On the morning of your surgery, you should shower or bathe. Leave all money and valuables at home. Do not wear jewelry (body jewelry included) or makeup to the hospital. If you wear contact lenses, bring your container because you will be asked to remove them. If you have a wedding band, it can remain on your finger. A nurse will secure it with tape.
Wear loose fitting clothing to the hospital so that you can get your clothes over a bandage when you go home. For example, eye surgery patients should not wear pull-over shirts and knee surgery patients should not wear tight trousers or jeans.
Please WEAR your hearing aid and glasses and bring the appropriate cases. Dentures may be worn. You may or may not be asked to remove these personal items.
Ambulatory Care
Upon arrival to our Ambulatory Care Department, you will be asked to sign in on the clip board and take a seat in our waiting room. You will then be escorted to your own room where your vital signs will be taken and you will be asked to change into a hospital gown. A Registered Nurse will then take a brief history and possibly be starting an intravenous depending on the surgery or procedure you have having. If applicable, you will be asked to participate in appropriately marking your surgical site. When it is time for your procedure, you may be given pre-operative medications and taken via stretcher to the Operating Room by a Registered Nurse.
Operative Consent
You will be asked to sign several consents: Consent to Treat, Release of Insurance Information, Operative Permit, Anesthesia Consent and other applicable forms.
Surgical Holding Area
If your surgery is scheduled to be done in an operating room, you may be taken to the surgical holding area. The length of time you stay in this area may vary, but someone will always be near should you need assistance or want to ask a question.
The Operating Room
The surgical team will consist of your surgeon, an anesthesiologist, a surgical technician, an RN circulator and other assistants as deemed necessary by your surgeon. The surgical team will be monitoring your heart and blood pressure throughout your operation. IV's provide a way to give fluids and/or medications directly into a vein. They also help speed up your recovery period.
Waiting Room
Our newly renovated and comfortable waiting room is located near the operating room. We offer television, telephone, and recent reading materials for patients' love ones to use while they wait. Complementary coffee and tea is available in this room. J-Tech Pagers are also used for the convenience of your loved ones. With the pager your family/friends are free to visit our cafeteria, gift shop, chapel or take a short walk. Once the pager flashes, you return to the surgical waiting room to meet with the surgeon.
