The surgical and anesthesia services provide care to more than 2500 patients annually. Our primary goal is to provide the highest quality of care for the population we serve. Surgical and anesthesia services at HMC play important roles in patient care. These departments provide support for emergency care and obstetrics as well as the usual orthopedic, general surgical, gynecologic, urologic, and ophthalmologic surgical procedures. Heritage Medical Center is a participant in the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and is an accredited facility.
Surgical patients are generally categorized as inpatients or outpatients for the purpose of defining their expected hospital course. Outpatients should have an expected hospital stay that does not extend past a 24-hour period. These surgeries are typically minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopy or general and orthopedic procedures. Post-operative care concerns such as pain management and wound care are addressed before any patient is eligible to leave the facility. Typically, more than 80 percent of surgical patients are outpatients.
Inpatient surgeries are usually patients presenting for major surgery or obstetrical care. Most of these patients also require more complex care than do outpatients. Some of the care issues these patients might face are intensive aftercare following surgery, prolonged recovery, and rehabilitative services. Pain management is often the function of anesthesia services where epidural, major nerve blocks, and patient controlled analgesia are important components of care in certain instances.
The Surgical department is located on the main floor of the hospital and includes three operating rooms and an endoscopy suite, each fully equipped and staffed. The surgical suite has twenty-three employees, and there are four anesthesia department staff members. The Director of Surgical Services is Linda Haines, RN, CNOR. Linda has 20 years of experience as a surgical nurse and has directed the surgical services at HMC for the last 16 years. She also has many years of experience in other areas of nursing care. The nursing supervisor of surgery is Shirley Owens, RN. Shirley has been an employee of HMC for 34 years and has progressed through her career at HMC as an example to her peers as a nurse with the highest qualifications and dedication.
Patient process is something of great interest to most individuals coming for outpatient surgical care. At HMC the mechanism varies by physician but has a generally standard course as follows:
- Scheduling of procedure by your physician
- Pre-certification of the surgery or procedure if one is needed (This may alter when and if the procedure is a covered procedure under your insurance policy.)
- Pre-admission to the hospital for a particular surgical date
- Pre-admission testing and interview with surgical services and anesthesia to discuss anesthesia plan and to define any health risks known to you. Admission on the surgical day to the Ambulatory Surgical Outpatient Department
- Interview with anesthesia if not already performed or if there are changes in your health status
- Surgery or procedure as planned by you and your physician
If we have done our job to your satisfaction, you will continue to come to us for your healthcare needs. This is the end to which we strive. You and your family are our most important customers, and quality health care delivered in a friendly and community-oriented manner is our most important product.