Langton, DO, the hospital's chief of anesthesiology. "They're very
attentive to each patient and always in communication with us for
their needs."
Ah, but Dr. Langton is being typically modest, says Beth Rackers,
RN, CNOR, the clinical educator for surgical services at the hospital.
The dozen anesthesiologists and CRNAs who take a personal interest
in every patient are the ones who deserve most of the credit, she says.
"They do a phenomenal job. When I think about how I'd want to feel
in respect to pain after having surgery, I think about the anesthesia
staff we have at Capital Region."
The nurses? The anesthesia providers? The staff as a whole? Credit —
and gratitude — should be given to everyone. What's propelled Capital
Region to such impressive heights and earned the hospital this year's
OR Excellence Award for Pain Management is teamwork. Teamwork
makes winners, and the ultimate winners in this story are the patients
who, even in the aftermath of major procedures, are likely to feel
remarkably comfortable without having to worry about the undesirable
— and potentially dangerous — side effects associated with opioids.
4 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6
NOVEL TECHNIQUES
Holistic Approach Boosts Satisfaction
After incorporating what it calls holistic modalities to help manage
post-surgical pain, the Ambulatory Surgery Center at St. Joseph's
Regional Medical Center in Paterson, N.J., saw its patient satisfaction
scores rise from 78% to 88%. The center uses guided imagery, hand
massage, holistic music therapy and mandala meditations (a therapeu-
tic form of drawing) to alleviate anxiety and pain. The approach is based
on the philosophy of patient empowerment and the center's data
shows statistically significant results in reducing post-op pain.
Awards Issue
