The primary reason many outpatient surgeries (OS) are more beneficial than inpatient surgery is due to the fact that operating rooms are eliminated. OS allows surgeons to perform surgeries in their own offices as opposed to the OR. Here are several principles for determining whether or not outpatient surgery is the correct surgical procedure you should get.
1. Differences Between Surgeries
Inpatient surgery (IS) refers to surgical procedures that require overnight stays in hospital. In most cases, overnight stays can last up to a week or longer. Alternatively, OS allows patients to comfortably travel home on the same day of their surgical procedure. Other names include “ambulatory surgery” and “same-day surgery”.
Typically, you’re referred to as an outpatient if you’re receiving services from the emergency department, require lab tests or X-rays. Your hospital status is never adjusted until the doctor writes a note that admits you to the hospital as an inpatient.
In some cases, you may require inpatient surgery. To determine which surgery procedure you require, speak with your physician and/or family doctor. However, OS is generally the proper route to take for patients who require minor and intermediate procedures. These include:
- Urology
- Throat/Ear/Nose
- Opthalmology (eyeballs and orbit)
- Lower extremities
In all cases, OS is typically less invasive than open surgery.
2. What Is Minimally Invasive Surgery?
Minimally invasive surgery refers to surgery that does not require complex surgery procedures. As the name suggests, this type of surgery is less invasive (and painful) than open surgery. It’s worth noting that both procedures serve the same purpose. For example, open surgery requires intense periods of therapeutic treatment and possibly months of rehabilitation following the surgery. Minimally invasive surgery, on the other hand, is less risky and doesn’t require a prolonged period of agonising recovery.
One such minimally invasive surgery procedure is called thyroidectomy, and the entire process is a small incision, as opposed to “putting you under” so surgeons can operate on your neck. This small incision ensures blood loss is at a minimum amount, and the recovery period is dramatically quicker. Minimally invasive thyroidectomy is considerably less traumatic than open thyroidectomy surgeries and is one example of a minimally invasive surgery that can happen at outpatient surgery centres.
3. Expect Lower Costs
Another reason patients may find outpatient surgery (OS) far more useful (depending on their critical needs for surgery) than inpatient procedures are the reduced amount of aftercare-prescribed medication. This is because the amount of medication necessary for the recovery period is lowered, as well as the type of medication. After open surgery, a large number of patients require a hefty amount of narcotics (such as Dilaudid). A large amount of people undoubtedly feel like the rising care of healthcare costs and medication expenses are dramatically rising, with no signs of slowing day.
4. You Receive Personalised Care
Outpatient surgeries (as part of receiving outpatient services) typically offer more personalised aftercare procedures. Nursing and medical staff members are generally more compassionate and more focused on the safety and emotions of patients. Since nursing staff collaborate with physicians, surgical technicians and other staff members to provide you with a seamless experience, outpatient services are generally more favourable by patients.
Conclusion
Part of the rehabilitation process following inpatient or outpatient surgery involves physiotherapy treatment. It is extremely vital that you seek the counsel of your doctor and ask for referrals to local physiotherapists. After receiving any surgery procedure, taking proper care of the area is essential for maximising the chances of a healthy (and safe) recovery.
