Safer surgery: Steps you can take

Chances are high that most of us will have a surgical procedure at some point during our lives. Estimates based on 2002 data in three states suggest Americans have a lifetime average of nine surgical procedures. In 2010 in the United States, there were an estimated 1.4 million inpatient procedures, ranging from childhood tonsillectomies, breast lumpectomies, and gallbladder removal to cataract surgeries, hernia repairs, and hip or knee replacements. And the rate of surgical procedures continues to rise. So it’s valuable to know what you can do to make safer surgery and a successful outcome more likely. How do I choose my surgeon? If you are having elective (non-emergency) surgery, such as a knee or hip replacement, you have a choice of surgeons. Your primary care physician, best friend, or physician acquaintance may recommend a surgeon. Even with a strong referral, though, it’s essential to ask questions. What do they like about that surgeon? Do they have any concerns you should be aware of? When you meet with a surgeon, find out if he or she is board-certified. Board certification tells you that a doctor has gone beyond minimum licensing requirements to demonstrate expertise in their specialty. Ask how often the surgeon has done your procedure. Studies show that outcomes improve when a surgeon has more experience –– for example, in performing hip surgery. Less obvious is whether you’ll have your procedure at a hospital that does a high or low volume of surgerie...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Managing your health care Safety Surgery Source Type: blogs