Surgery
Having surgery can be a scary event, both for the individual undergoing the procedure and for the patient's friends and family. Arming yourself with information about the surgery before it happens can help settle your nerves. Figure out what to expect from a specific procedure, how to select a doctor and hospital, how to prepare your home, and where to seek support.
Expand All Guide SectionsSurgery Basics
If you or a friend or family member is exploring the idea of surgery, you probably have many ... read more »
Choosing a Surgeon and Hospital
Choosing a surgeon and medical facility that you're comfortable with is a critical decision after you decide to have surgery. The Web has several sites with questions you should ask prospective surgeons.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Something to consider when choosing a surgeon is whether the doctor is board certified. Not all specialties have board certification, but the American Board of Medical Specialties lists the specialties where certification is available.
- There are many professional organizations for different types of surgeons (for example, heart, plastic or reconstructive, and brain). Visiting the Web sites of these organizations can provide insight on what to look for in a surgeon of that specialty. Many of these organizations even provide registries of certified surgeons or lists of questions to ask surgeons before you choose one.
- These sites offer clinical information that can inform your decision. There is nothing more important in recovery, however, than the personal experience a hospital and its staff provide. Ask your friends, family and neighbors what their experiences have been during various hospital visits. People, not facts or statistics, evaluate personal care best.
Dulcinea's Picks
For help choosing a surgeon ...
AmericanHospitals.com
poses 12 questions you should ask your surgeon before undergoing an operation. The questions are designed to help you prepare for the surgery and assess your surgeon's qualifications. This site also explains that almost every disease has a national or local association or society with consumer information about the condition. The "Medical Resources" page can direct you to specific disease resources.
For help choosing a hospital ...
Swedish Medical Center
has an article about choosing both a surgeon and a hospital for major surgery. The article links to other resources you can use to check a hospital's accreditation.
The Joint Commission
reports on the quality of medical care facilities and their programs, including disease-specific care organizations and Joint Commission-accredited organizations. The site also allows you to lodge a complaint if you're unhappy with the care you've received. If you underwent surgery and were unsatisfied with your treatment, reporting the problem could help save someone else from the difficulty you experienced.
Compare Hospital Quality Care
uses data provided by hospitals about Medicare patients (over 65, generally) to compare hospitals by surgical procedures performed. Standards included in the comparison are the number of patients treated, mortality rates, complication rates, lengths of stay, and costs.
Preparation for Surgery
Your doctor, of course, will always be your best source of medical advice, but the Web also ... read more »
Surgery Support Groups
If you need to share your feelings or concerns about a surgical procedure, ... read more »
Children and Surgery
Surgery for children can pose unique challenges and concerns. The Web can answer some questions you ... read more »
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
