Any surgery can be stressful to go through. Finding the right surgeon, however, can make the process easier and help to alleviate some of the fear associated with a surgical procedure. This begs the question – how does one find the right surgeon?
Depending on your injury and care needs, you may currently have recommendations from a primary care doctor regarding surgical options. It’s important to remember that while recommendations are valuable, they should be treated as a starting point rather than a final decision. Surgery, just like other healthcare decisions in your life, should be researched so that you can make an informed and educated decision before committing to a procedure and date. During your research, it’s particularly important to explore and gathering the following pieces of information:
Know the infection rate of the hospitals you may visit. Post-op infection is always a risk – that’s why hospitals work so hard to address their infection rate with hard-working staff and comprehensive prevention programs. Patients are encouraged to know the infection rate of any hospitals they may go to for surgical care, and to consider this rate when deciding where to go for care.
Know the outcome rate of hospitals and procedures. Patients are encouraged to research the rate of successful surgical outcomes for a location and a procedure as they select a location and individual to provide them with care. Hospital data is often available online for you to use in your research, and you can work with your care team to prepare for the most likely post-op outcomes.
Examine your surgeon’s experience. It’s OK – and valuable – to consider how long your surgeon has been in their field, and how many procedures they’ve carried out for their patients. Patients are also encouraged to research their surgeon’s education, degrees, credentials, and training. These factors combined can all shed light on a surgeon’s experience and ability to provide you with the care you need.
Meet with your prospective surgeon. It’s important to meet with any surgeon you are considering working with for your care. In-person meetings will give you a chance to ask questions, and will help you begin to feel more comfortable about your upcoming procedure. It will also help you determine if you are at-ease with your surgeon of choice, as you want to work with someone who will work with your individual needs and concerns.
At Advanced Surgical Hospital, we understand the importance of providing our patients with the information they need to make decisions. We encourage anyone who walks through our doors to ask the important questions, and can’t wait to share our amazing track record with visitors.
Ready to start your journey to better mobility? Contact us today for the opportunity to meet with a member of our care team!
