Whether you’re planning to undergo a routine procedure to treat a foot issue or require back surgery to treat spinal cord compression, the surgical center you choose will play a large role in your pre- and post-operative experience. Deciding to undergo any form of surgery can cause a certain level of stress and anxiety, but when you know what to expect from the surgical center you choose, most of your stress and anxiety can be allayed.

Highly Qualified Surgeons

One of the most important factors that should go into choosing a surgical center is confirming the expertise of its surgeons. Undergoing surgery is scary enough without having to find out at the last minute that your surgeon has only performed the procedure a handful of times before. You can eliminate this possibility by researching the surgeons employed at the surgical center. Find out how many years they’ve worked at that particular center, how many years they’ve been in practice, the number of times they’ve performed your procedure, and what their success rates are. It’s also incredibly important to confirm that the surgeons are board certified in the specific area of surgery they perform. This means that he or she has met or exceeded nationally recognized educational and patient care standards.

Friendly, Helpful Staff

Any surgical center you consider should be staffed by qualified, friendly administrative professionals, nurses, and others. If the facility is truly dedicated to ensuring patient satisfaction, all of your experiences dealing the staff – whether on the phone, at the reception desk, or in the post-operative recovery room – should be nothing short of pleasant.

Comfortable Examination Rooms

No one likes to go through an exam in a cold, stark examination room. Ask the surgical center you’re considering how well the pre- and post-operative examination rooms are appointed. Are there extra chairs for family members if you chose to have them with you? Are the rooms kept at a certain temperature? If you’ll be asked to disrobe, what type of covering will you be asked to wear? Are examination instruments and tools disinfected or discarded after each use? Asking these and other questions can help you gauge exactly what level of comfort you’ll experience during an examination.

Operating Rooms with Advanced Technology

When you’re researching surgical centers, don’t be afraid to ask about the types of equipment in the operating room. After all, you are putting your life in the hands of surgeons, so you are allowed to ask about what equipment they will use to perform your procedure. Surgical centers that feature current, state-of-the-art equipment – and have properly trained surgeons to use them – should be high on your list, whereas those using out-of-date equipment, which could pose a higher risk for malfunctioning, should be ruled out.

Favorable Former Patient Reviews

It’s true that you shouldn’t believe everything you read online, but reading some reviews posted by former patients of a particular surgical center can help you make an informed decision. Keep in mind that one or two bad reviews won’t necessarily mean that a facility and its staff are terrible. You should instead look for a pattern; facilities with mostly favorable reviews are probably worth keeping on the list of considerations, but those with more than a few bad reviews may not be worth checking out.

Location & Amenities

Finally, when considering surgical centers, think about the proximity of the center to major airports, hotels, hospitals, and attractions, particularly if you’d have to travel a long distance to get there. Additionally, surgical centers that feature amenities for patients and their guests – such as comfortable waiting rooms, cafeterias, Wi-Fi access, and others – can provide that extra special touch and level of comfort that can help you feel more at home.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to surgical centers.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to surgical centers. http://www.healthgrades.com/group-directory/pennsylvania-pa/wayne/laser-spine-institute-9961d422

Author Bio: Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to surgical centers.

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