New state-of-the-art Surgery Center

A new state-of-the-art, all digital Surgery Center was constructed as part of the hospital’s major renovation and expansion project. The 9,800 square-foot Surgery Center includes two, new state-of-the-art Operating Rooms (ORs) and a bigger and brighter Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).

The new Operating Rooms are nearly 50-percent larger than typical ORs, designed to accommodate larger equipment for minimally invasive procedures, including most laparoscopic and orthopaedic surgeries such as hip resurfacing and joint replacement.  It also offers surgeons High Definition video and superior organization capabilities.  New to these ORs are easy to maneuver power booms, which anchor to the ceiling and are designed to provide the surgical team with quick and easy access to monitors and critical equipment.

With rapid advancements in technology, one-day surgery has become a popular option for many surgical patients. General surgeons and specialists perform the latest surgical techniques in our state-of-the-art operative suites, including laparoscopic procedures, that gets patients back on their feet sooner and with less post-surgical discomfort. Below are some of the surgeries routinely performed at HVHC:

• Breast Surgery
• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• General Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Ophthalmology
• Orthopedics
• Otolaryngology
• Plastic Surgery
• Podiatry
• Reconstructive Surgery
• Urology
• Urogynecology
• Vascular Surgery
• Wound Care
• OB/GYN

Preparing for One-day Surgery

Preparing for one-day surgery begins with your physician who schedules the operation. When your physician schedules your procedure, a date and time for pre-admission testing/education is also scheduled.

On the day of your pre-admission testing/education, you will proceed to the Admitting/Registration Department. Following registration, the pre-operative nurse will complete certain paperwork, draw the required blood work, complete an EKG (if ordered), and escort you to a room for a chest x-ray (if required). The pre-admission testing nurse will talk to you one-on-one about preparing for surgery, what to expect after surgery and necessary pre-admission paperwork. Prepared, educated patients have a much faster recovery from surgery and are far more satisfied with their care. Please keep your appointment. If you are unable to keep the appointment, your physician will have to reschedule you with the Pre-Admission Department.

Preparing for In-hospital Surgical Patients

Before undergoing surgery, you will be asked to sign a consent form by your attending physician. You will also be visited by an anesthesiologist to discuss the type of anesthesia to be administered. You will be asked to sign a form consenting to anesthesia as well as a consent form for the administration of blood or plasma, if needed. The anesthesiologist is a private practitioner, and will send you a separate bill for his or her services.

When you arrive in the operating suite, you may be sedated. Following surgery, you will be taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit, where you will receive special care until you are ready to return to your room.

Family members will be called to see the surgeon when you are out of the operating room. Please ask your family to let the receptionist in the waiting area know they are in the waiting room.

Post Anesthesia Care Unit

As part of the new state-of-the-art, all digital Surgery Center opened in 2009, HVHC has added a bigger and brighter Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).

In the new Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) patients wake up from surgery to natural light streaming into their recovery room.  “The PACU is beautiful.  It’s twice the size of our existing space and a big change from most recovery areas that are traditionally dark and windowless,” said Kathy Webster, Vice President, Patient Services.  “Our new PACU is a wonderful place for patients to wake up after surgery.” The new PACU also offers several private rooms, another feature that is not common in traditional recovery areas.