Outpatient surgery can be more convenient – but is it as safe?

If you need minor surgery – there’s a good chance you’ll have that done somewhere OTHER than a hospital...

Advanced surgical techniques and safer, easier to administer anesthesia have taken about 1/3 of all surgeries out of the hospital and into your doctor’s office or surgery center. Charles B. Inlander, author of “Take This Book to the Hospital with You,” says procedures performed in physicians’ offices are not tightly regulated – and there are a few things to ask before you go under:

• Does the doctor have privileges at a local hospital? Doctors who have lost privileges sometimes continue doing surgery in their office. Call the hospital to confirm.

• What happens in an emergency? Many facilities just call 911. It’s better if they’re equipped to handle any surgical mishaps and have an arrangement with a local hospital and ambulance service.

• What about follow-ups? If you have a post-surgical problem, it’s important they have a doctor or nurse on call to help you 24 hours a day. If you’ll be referred to the ER after hours, book your procedure elsewhere.