Ten years ago, many surgery patients could expect hospital stays of up to a week, or even longer. While not all surgeries can be performed on an outpatient basis, many common procedures now fall into this category. These include gall bladder removal, liver biopsy, tubal ligation, hernia repair, cyst removal, diagnostic surgeries, partial mastectomies and certain plastic surgery and orthopedic procedures. According to Dario Perez, MD, general surgeon and chief of staff at Glendale Memorial Hospital, there are many factors that have contributed towards the increase in outpatient surgery.
Most patients prefer to recover at home.
They find the familiar surroundings of home more comfortable and receive more support from family and friends. Home healthcare workers can also be utilized to allow a more rapid release from the hospital. Dr. Perez stresses that the quality of patient care is not compromised by outpatient surgery. After the procedure, the patient is closely monitored by the doctor and nurses. The doctor will not hesitate to admit the patient, should the need arise.