6 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • M A R C H 2 0 1 9
On the Cover
The time-honored approach of
fasting after midnight is quickly
becoming outdated as a growing
body of evidence shows that
well-nourished patients are bet-
ter prepared for the physical
stress of surgery and primed to
make speedy recoveries. In this
month's cover story, nutritional
experts explore why having
patients consume supplements,
vitamins and carbohydrate-rich
drinks in the weeks and hours
before entering the OR leads to
better outcomes and sends them
home satiated and satisfied.
Cover design by Ethan Anderson
12
40
121 Mesh-y Situation
Controversy in hernia repair puts you and your
surgeons at the front lines of patient education.
Matthew Nojiri | Senior Associate Editor
126 A Plan for Wound Care
5 steps to ensure your patients
can care for their wounds at home.
Matthew Nojiri | Senior Associate Editor
Features
8 Editor's Page
A Modest Proposal
Dan O'Connor | Editor-in-Chief
12 Ideas That Work
• Move patients along with motorized stretcher beds
• Make your morning huddles count
• Rise and shine to improve surgical safety
27 Staffing
Yes, You Can Become a Better Leader
Chet Wyman, MD
32 Legal Update
Are You Ready for an Emergency?
Claire Cyriax, DNP, RN, MSN-Ed, LNC, CAPA
36 Coding & Billing
3 Reimbursement Traps to Avoid
Paul Cadorette, CPC, CPC-P, COC, COSC, CASCC
40 Anesthesia Alert
Anesthesia's Infection Control Challenges
L. Silvia Munoz-Price, MD, PhD,
and T. Andrew Bowdle, MD, PhD, FASE
132 Behind Closed Doors
I'm Surrounded by Youngsters
Paula Watkins, RN
Departments
For the Record
CMS reimburses for Exparel (liposomal bupivacaine)
when used in a surgical procedure on Medicare patients
in Medicare-certified ambulatory surgery centers (HCPCS
code C9290). We incorrectly reported in "Throw Away the
Script" (February page 20) that CMS reimburses for
Exparel in the "outpatient setting." We regret the error.
