Surgery Center is
aimed at increasing
perioperative efficien-
cies so they don't get
anxious as they wait
for surgery to begin.
"We ask patients to
arrive an hour before
surgery, so their eyes
have plenty of time to
dilate," says Ms.
Cappella. "They're also always being talked to or touched, so they
never feel ignored or like they're sitting in one spot for too long with
nothing happening."
Letting patients remain in street clothes during surgery is a facility-
specific policy, but doing so adds to their comfort throughout their
stay. "It makes the whole experience feel less invasive," says Ms.
Cappella.
3. Be clear about cost
Ms. Welliver's facility offers femtosecond laser cataract surgery and
her surgeons implant premium IOLs, which contribute to improved
refractive outcomes. Patients expect to pay out of pocket for
improved post-op vision, but keeping them informed about the exact
amount they'll owe on the day of surgery eliminates discussing an
anxiety-inducing topic during the already anxious minutes before sur-
gery.
"We call every patient to let them know exactly how much they
owe," says Ms. Welliver. "They also sign forms beforehand that detail
the out-of-pocket costs, so there are no misunderstandings on the day
7 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 • A P R I L 2 0 1 8
• HUMAN TOUCH Holding a patient's hand during surgery is a small gesture that
makes a big impact.
