Health Care Success - Make Informed Decisions About Surgery
An informed and empowered health care consumer must always ask questions about tests, medications, diagnoses and especially surgery.
Being empowered means taking control of your health care and being able to gain the information necessary to make informed decisions.
Often, patients do not have enough information about all available treatment options to make an informed decision.
When patients have more information, they tend to opt against surgery when a more conservative yet effective alternative is available.
Ask the Right Questions Obtaining the information necessary to make an informed decision depends on asking the right questions.
These questions also provide an opportunity to increase your understanding of the medical process.
Before any surgery is performed, be sure to ask the following questions: o What operation are you recommending? o Why do I need this operation? o Are there alternatives to surgery? o What are the benefits of having the operation? o What are the risks? o What could happen if I don't have the surgery? o How many times have you performed this operation? o What has been your experience in performing this surgery? o What kind of anesthesia will I need? o How long will it take to recover? o How much will the surgery cost? Review Qualifications of Surgeon In order to receive the best surgical care, The American College of Surgeons recommends: 1.
Choose a surgeon who is board certified in a surgical specialty approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
2.
Select a surgeon who is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (F.
A.
C.
S.
).
3.
Have your surgery performed in a hospital of ambulatory surgery center that is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
One of the keys to success in our health care system is to practice "due diligence" before committing to surgery or another treatment plan.
Have you considered a second opinion? Have you fully researched the background of the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and the hospital or surgery center where the operation is to be performed? We all want the best medical care possible.
In short, asking questions and seeking all available information about your condition is in your best in your best interest.
You will then be in a much better position to make an informed decision.
Being empowered means taking control of your health care and being able to gain the information necessary to make informed decisions.
Often, patients do not have enough information about all available treatment options to make an informed decision.
When patients have more information, they tend to opt against surgery when a more conservative yet effective alternative is available.
Ask the Right Questions Obtaining the information necessary to make an informed decision depends on asking the right questions.
These questions also provide an opportunity to increase your understanding of the medical process.
Before any surgery is performed, be sure to ask the following questions: o What operation are you recommending? o Why do I need this operation? o Are there alternatives to surgery? o What are the benefits of having the operation? o What are the risks? o What could happen if I don't have the surgery? o How many times have you performed this operation? o What has been your experience in performing this surgery? o What kind of anesthesia will I need? o How long will it take to recover? o How much will the surgery cost? Review Qualifications of Surgeon In order to receive the best surgical care, The American College of Surgeons recommends: 1.
Choose a surgeon who is board certified in a surgical specialty approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
2.
Select a surgeon who is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (F.
A.
C.
S.
).
3.
Have your surgery performed in a hospital of ambulatory surgery center that is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
One of the keys to success in our health care system is to practice "due diligence" before committing to surgery or another treatment plan.
Have you considered a second opinion? Have you fully researched the background of the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and the hospital or surgery center where the operation is to be performed? We all want the best medical care possible.
In short, asking questions and seeking all available information about your condition is in your best in your best interest.
You will then be in a much better position to make an informed decision.
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