Directing medical care for Perioperative Services is shared responsibility between the Chairman of Surgery and the Chairman of Anesthesiology. The Director of Perioperative Services, who reports to the Associate Hospital Director, and works closely with the chairs of Surgery and Anesthesiology to set standards, policies, procedures, and to monitor adherence to policies. These patients are of various ages and from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Services include otolaryngology, gynecology, orthopedics, neurosurgery, plastic and reconstructive, oral and maxillofacial, pediatric, cardiothoracic, vascular, ophthalmology, urology, trauma, minimally invasive surgery, and general surgery. Heart, lung, renal, pancreas, and liver transplants are also offered.
Teams are on-call to accommodate emergencies and specialty procedures such as transplants.
Prior to surgery, each patient is assessed by a perioperative nurse. A registered nurse is responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating each patient's care. The health care team also includes certified and non-certified surgical technicians, nursing assistants, and clerical staff. A perioperative nurse supervises all patient care activities as well as the direction of the technical and support staff. The departmental orientation program is planned and implemented by the Staff Development Specialist as delegated by the Director of Perioperative Services.