I recently had the "opportunity" to make use of the facility for outpatient surgery for a family member. Even though I wasn't the patient there was a bit of trepidation about the facility, the procedure, and just being there. I really couldn't find much information about the facility online (until the day of the procedure and I ran across their website that was hidden in the search engines on the third or fourth page). I hate hospitals! Having said that , I had a very pleasant experience! Check-in was fast, they made sure that the patient and a responsible adult were present and that the responsible person would be there the entire time. They gave us a pager and told us that the first time that it went off was for the patient to go to the pre-op area, the next time was for the responsible party to come back to pre-op and then the third for the responsible party to go to recovery to be with the patient.
They had us arrive about an hour and a half before the scheduled procedure time. The wait for the first buzz of the pager seemed like it took forever (in real time, about an hour). Watching the patient walk away from you to the pre-op area was a bit scary. I then waited for the second page so that I could rejoin the patient (by now my blood pressure was rising, a little bit of fear had set in, and I was remembering why I don't like hospitals) About thirty minutes later, the second page came and I went back to be with the patient.
In pre-op we met the pre-op nurse who took great care of us, the surgeon, who answered my litany of questions, and the anesthesiologist, who, well, could have had a better bedside manner. My fears were eased, as were those of the patient. I was told that it was time for surgery and told to go back out to the waiting area. Then the wait began. In about an hour and a half the third page came, it seemed like days as I am a bit impatient, especially when it comes to the wellbeing of a loved one. I was met by the recovery nurse who immediately took me back to see the patient, she joked with me on the way back as to all of the things that the patient had said coming out from under the anesthesia! Apparently my honey-do list was long! The nurse stayed with us for about twenty minutes and explained all of the post procedure care instructions. She made sure the patient was feeling fine and that we both understood what needed to be done. Then it was time to go home, they wheeled the patient to the door in a wheelchair, just as a precaution, and helped them into my car. All in all, my fears were greatly exaggerated, the facility was very clean, most all staff were friendly and helpful. If the need arises again, I will not hesitate to use them again. read more